Black-Eyed Pea Skillet Dinner (Printable)

Hearty one-pan vegetarian skillet with black-eyed peas, golden potatoes, and fresh spinach

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
03 - 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, diced (approximately 1 pound)
04 - 3 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped

→ Legumes

05 - 2 cups cooked black-eyed peas or 1 can (15 ounces) drained and rinsed

→ Seasonings

06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
09 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Liquids

11 - 1/2 cup low-sodium vegetable broth

→ Garnishes

12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
13 - Lemon wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium heat.
02 - Add sliced onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and translucent.
03 - Stir in diced potatoes and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are golden and just tender.
04 - Add garlic, smoked paprika, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Pour in vegetable broth and add black-eyed peas. Stir well to combine. Cover skillet and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until potatoes are fully cooked and liquid is mostly absorbed.
06 - Uncover skillet, add chopped spinach, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until spinach is wilted.
07 - Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot with lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, so cleanup is almost as easy as cooking.
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free without tasting like you're missing anything.
  • The smoked paprika and thyme create this warm, slightly smoky flavor that makes people ask what's in it.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of letting the onions get translucent first—they're building the foundation of flavor for everything else.
  • If your potatoes still aren't tender after the simmer time, add a few more minutes with the lid on rather than trying to rush it.
03 -
  • If you're cooking the black-eyed peas from dried, make them the day before so they're ready to go.
  • The smoked paprika is doing most of the heavy lifting here, so don't be shy about it—it's what makes this feel substantial and warming.
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