Collard Green Soup with Smoked Ham and Black Eyed Peas (Instant Pot & Stovetop)

Collard green soup is loaded with collards, smoked ham, black eyed peas, carrots, celery, onion, and cajun seasoning.

Serve it with a side of cornbread for a hearty, delicious, comfort meal.

This recipe can be made in the Instant Pot or stovetop.

In the South during the cold months, collard greens and black eyed peas are a beloved staple in the kitchen.

This recipe combines the two staples to create a delicious warm hearty soup in just a few minutes of cooking time.

Watch how to make collard green soup

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make collard green soup with black eyed peas and smoked ham.

• hot sauce- I prefer Texas Pete, but use your favorite. This provides a small amount of heat and balances the bitterness of the collard greens.
• collard greens- Use fresh, not frozen collard greens.
• carrots-Use fresh carrots. Canned carrots will become too mushy.
• onions-Yellow or white onions will work.
• celery-If you do not like the texture of celery, you can substitute with celery seasoning.
• chicken broth-You can substitute with chicken bone broth. You may want to use homemade chicken broth or low sodium if you are worried about the sodium content amount.
• black eyed peas- I used can to keep it simple. If you want to use fresh or dried black beans, cook them before adding them in the soup.
• smoked ham- This is a great way to use leftover ham. Ham hock, smoked turkey, and smoked sausage are great substitutes.
• Cajun seasoning
• apple cider vinegar- You can also used white vinegar. The vinegar balances the bitterness of the collard greens.
• crushed garlic-I like to use fresh garlic, but you can substitute with garlic powder.
• olive oil- You can substitute with butter of vegetable oil.

Steps

Follow these simple steps to make collard green soup with black eyed peas and ham in the Instant Pot.

1. Turn the Sauté setting. Add olive oil, onions, garlic, celery, carrots, and Cajun seasoning. Sauté until soft and translucent.
2. Add ham, black eyed peas, collard greens, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth.
3. Lock the lid on the Instant Pot and cook on manual high pressure for 10 minutes.
4. Fast release, stir, and serve.

For Stovetop Directions:

1. In a large stock pot, add olive oil, onions, garlic, celery, and Cajun seasoning. Sauté until soft and translucent.
2. Add ham, black eyed peas, collard greens, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth.
3. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook on low heat for 1 hour. Stir occasionally.

Black eyed peas and collard greens on New Years Day

It is a Southern tradition to eat black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Years Day.

The combination is supposed to bring you good luck and money. 

This recipe combines both and is a great way to combine all the signature ingredients for New Year's Day.

Like this recipe? Try these:

• Southern Hoppin' John
• How to Cook Collard Greens
• Southern Cornbread
• Hamburger Soup