The cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is well adapted to high temperatures, water deficits and low fertility soils, being widely cultivated in regions less favorable to common beans. Its grains are rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals, representing an important food source and a promising alternative for producing protein at low cost, in a short space of time, given the precocity of its cycle. However, in the state of Minas Gerais there is only a recommendation for one cowpea cultivar, the Poços de Caldas cultivar. In addition to being quite old, it is no longer found in crop production fields. The aims of study was to evaluate the agronomic performance of cowpea cultivars and to recommend cultivars adapted to cultivation in edaphoclimatic conditions of Southwest Region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The experiments were carried out in Passos city, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, during the first crop period, in 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 years, with 10 commercial cowpea cultivars, in a randomized block experimental design, with five replications. The mass of a thousand seeds and the grain index correlated directly with the yield. Cultivars with the lowest grain yields promoted the highest pod lengths and number of grains per pod. The best morphophysiological results for cowpea were obtained in 2021/2022 year. The most adapted cowpea cultivars for period of first crop in edaphoclimatic conditions of Southwest Region of Minas Gerais State, Brazil, were BRS Novaera, BRS Guariba, and BRS Xique-Xique and least indicated was BRS Marataoã. More studies are needed to consolidate cowpea cultivation in the Southwest Region of Minas Gerais, mainly in second-crop crops.