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.
"I love this recipe, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I've probably made it over 50 times. I usually skip the celery and double the carrots because my kids love carrots. I have photos of my kids devouring this soup (from 2 years old - present day)! Kids LOVING collards = HAPPY Proud Mama!" -★★★★★ Amber
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. I hope you love it as much as we do. Enjoy! Xoxo ~Katie.
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Ingredient notes and substitutions
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- Fresh chopped collard greens are best. Do not use canned collard greens, they will be too mushy. You can substitute with fresh turnip 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, chicken stock or vegetable 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 canned black eyed peas to keep it simple. If you want to use fresh or dried black eyed peas, cook them before adding them in the soup. Also, you can substitute with any of your favorite beans such as butter beans, lima beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, white beans, or navy beans.
- smoked ham- This is a great way to use leftover ham. Ham hock, smoked turkey, and smoked sausage are great substitutes. For a richer smoky flavor you can add a couple drops of liquid smoke.
- 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.
(*Full recipe with ingredient measurements is located at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.)
How to cook in Instant Pot
Follow these simple steps to make collard green soup with black eyed peas and ham in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker.
- Turn the Sauté setting. Add olive oil, onions, garlic, celery, carrots, and Cajun seasoning. Sauté until soft and translucent.
- Add ham, black eyed peas, collards, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth.
- Lock the lid on the Instant Pot and cook on manual high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Fast release, stir, and serve.
How to cook on stove top
For Stovetop Directions:
- In a large stock pot, add olive oil, onions, garlic, celery, and Cajun seasoning. Sauté until soft and translucent.
- Add ham, black eyed peas, collard greens, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook on low heat for 1 hour. Stir occasionally.
Watch how to make collard green soup
Can you freeze leftovers?
This collard green soup freezes well. Store in airtight container and freeze. When ready to eat, thaw and reheat.
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:
Did you like this collard greens soup? Please leave me a comment below if you make this and tell me what you thought about it. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.
Also post your picture of your collard green and black eyed pea soup on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!
📖 Recipe
Collard Green Soup with Smoked Ham and Black Eyed Peas (Instant Pot or Stovetop)
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 4 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 celery rib chopped
- 1 cup carrots sliced
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 bunch collard greens, ribs removed & cut into bite size pieces about 1 pound
- 1 pound smoked ham diced
- 2 15oz canned black eyed peas drained
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
Instructions
Instant Pot Directions
- Turn the Sauté setting. Add olive oil, onions, garlic, celery, and Cajun seasoning. Sauté until soft and translucent.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 onion, 4 garlic cloves, 1 celery rib, 1 cup carrots, 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- Add ham, black eyed peas, collard greens, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth.1 bunch collard greens, ribs removed & cut into bite size pieces, 1 pound smoked ham, 2 15oz canned black eyed peas, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 4 cups chicken broth
- Lock the lid on the Instant Pot and cook on manual high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Fast release, stir, and serve.
For Stovetop Directions
- In a large stock pot, add olive oil, onions, garlic, celery, and Cajun seasoning. Sauté until soft and translucent.
- Add ham, black eyed peas, collard greens, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook on low heat for 1 hour. Stir occasionally.
Video
Notes
- This is a great way to use leftover ham. Ham hock, smoked turkey, and smoked sausage are great substitutes.
- If you want your soup a bit more thicker, mash up some of the black eyed peas and mix back into the soup.
- If you want it spicer, add a bit of hot sauce.
Gemini says
This collard green soup sounds absolutely delicious and so comforting! I love the combination of flavors with the smoked ham and black-eyed peas; it’s perfect for a cozy meal.
Molly Kumar says
Such a healthy, hearty and delicious soup. Love the addition of mixed veggies to make it more filling.
Jacqueline Debono says
I love soups with greens and ham. This version is so flavorful and easy to make. Will definitely make it again.
Lauren says
We really loved this collard green soup. We always make them the same way so it was a nice change. Perfect for the super cold weekend we are having here!
Kate says
My soup was so soothing and delicious! Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Amy Liu Dong says
Such a great-looking soup, that looks amazingly delicious! An instant favorite by many and the perfect soup dish especially in a cold season! Loved it!
Cathleen says
I can't believe that I have never had collard greens before! This needs to change! Making this soup ASAP, thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Veronika says
Loved the hint of smokiness from the cajun seasoning and smoked ham and the protein kick the beans provided. Such a comfort meal, perfect for the winter!
DK Park says
I made this dish using my instant pot and it was so good!
Such a perfect and delicious comfort food to make.
Jamie says
This is perfect for winter and cold days, everyone will love this this is great!!!!!
Alexandra says
This soup is fantastic - it is hearty, full of flavor and best of all, it comes together quickly. For how good it tastes, you would really think that it had been simmering on the stove for hours! Fantastic recipe for the whole family to enjoy.
Amber says
I love this recipe, THANK YOU SO MUCH! I’ve probably made it over 50 times. I usually skip the celery and double the carrots because my kids love carrots. I have photos of my kids devouring this soup (from 2 years old - present day)! Kids LOVING collards = HAPPY Proud Mama!
TFl says
This soup is the bomb! I made it for New Years’s Day. One pot with all the NYD foods! I’m not much for leftovers but I ate this 4 days straight! I will definitely cook this again and again before enjoying it on 1/1/2024. Thank you!
Ann says
Great tasting soup. Broth was delicious and was not over powering with collards. Perfect balance and easy to make. Will make this more often.
Amy Liu Dong says
This soup looks delicious and easy.
I'll be saving this recipe to make for everyone!
Ann says
I have not tried collard green soup before. I love trying new soups during the winter season, so this soup will be perfect to try!
Jamie says
Wow! This soup dish looks absolutely delicious and yummy! The color combination this soup gives makes it enticing and tempting! Perfect for this cold temperature! Loved it!