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Home » Black Eyed Peas Recipe

Black Eyed Peas Recipe

by Mike Hultquist · Jun 26, 2020 · 17 Comments

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Black Eyed Peas Recipe

This black eyed peas recipe is huge on flavor, with chopped bacon, smoked ham, the Cajun holy trinity and lots of seasonings. Big taste of the U.S. south!

Black Eyed Peas Recipe

Black Eyed Peas for the New Year!

We're cooking up delicious Black Eyed Peas in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen, my friends, and I think you are going to love them.

Black eyed peas are a popular ingredient in the American south, where I now reside. I enjoyed them first during our travels there, particularly in Louisiana and North Carolina, though find them all over.

They're very easy to make and the result is a dish of creamy beans with loads of flavor, especially the way I cook them.

If you're looking for a new side dish idea, or a good way to serve black eyed peas (food, not the band!) for dinner, this recipe will give you everything you need.

Black eyed peas in a bowl, soaked and ready for cooking

What are Black Eyed Peas?

Black-eyed peas are pale brown beans, not peas, with a distinctive black spot on each bean. They are also known as goat peas, which is a subspecies of the cowpea.

Eating black eyed peas to celebrate the new year is supposed to bring you good luck along with many health benefits, so you may want to save this recipe for good fortune.

It's perfect all year long for me, though, especially as a summer side dish to serve along with whatever I'm grilling, or for bringing to a larger gathering.

Let's talk about how to make black eyed peas, shall we?

Black Eyed Peas in a pan with garnish

Black Eyed Peas Recipe Ingredients

  • Meats. I use 4 slices bacon along with 1 pound smoked ham. You can also use andouille sausage or other cuts of pork like ham hocks or a ham bone. If you skip the bacon, use olive oil to cook the vegetables.
  • Vegetables. I use the Cajun Holy Trinity of bell peppers, onion and celery, and often garlic, along with some extra jalapeno pepper thrown in for some extra heat and flavor. Use 1 medium onion, 1 medium green bell pepper, 1 jalapeno pepper, 1 stalk celery, and 4 cloves garlic.
  • Cajun Seasonings. I call for 2 tablespoon of Cajun seasonings here, though you can adjust to your own preferences. I like to use 2 tablespoons of my own homemade Cajun seasoning recipe. Also salt and black pepper.
  • Black Eyed Peas. Use 1 pound dried black eyed peas, sorted through, rinsed, soaked and drained. You can use canned black eyed peas, but reduce the cooking time as they only need to be warmed.
  • Stock or Broth. I use 4 cups chicken stock, or more as needed if it starts to dry out while simmering. You can also use beef or vegetable stock for this recipe.
  • For Serving. Chopped parsley and spicy red pepper flakes for serving
Taking a scoop of Black Eyed Peas from the pan

How to Cook Black Eyed Peas - the Recipe Method

Cook the Bacon. Heat a large pot to medium-high heat and add bacon. Cook for 5 minutes until the bacon starts to render the fat and crisp up.

Add the Vegetables. Add the onion, peppers and celery and cook them until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add the Garlic. Add the garlic and smoked ham and cook another minute, stirring, until fragrant.

Seasonings and Stock. Add the Cajun seasonings, black eyed peas and chicken stock or chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat.

Simmer. Simmer for 1 hour to cook the black eyed peas, or until the beans are nicely softened, but not mushy.

Garnish. Garnish with chopped parsley and red chili flakes and serve.

Black Eyed Peas in a pan, ready to serve

Boom! Done! Easy enough, isn't it? As I mentioned, it really is very similar to a Hoppin' John recipe, the famous Cajun recipe of black eyed peas and rice.

We're just skipping the rice and changing things up a touch, but you'll still get that awesome southern black eyed peas flavor.

Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas

If you'd prefer to cook your black eyed peas in a slow cooker or crockpot, or in your Instant Pot, cook down the bacon and vegetables per the recipe, then transfer them to your slow cooker along with the soaked black eyed peas and the remainder of the ingredients.

Cook them on high for 5-6 hours or low for 8-10 hours, or until the black eyed peas are nicely softened, but not mushy.

If you start with unsoaked black eyed peas that are not partially softened, you may need to increase your cooking time.

Serving Black Eyed Peas

Do Black Eyed Peas Need to be Soaked?

Soaking your black eyed peas will reduce the cooking time considerably, though it is not completely necessary. Some people swear by starting from dried beans, and believe that soaking them robs the beans of some of their nutrients, though you can use the soaking water in your recipe.

Soaking does soften the bean skins, which can be tough. Also, some people say they get bad gas from unsoaked beans, which may weigh into your decision.

If you do soak your black eyed peas, add 2-3 tablespoons of salt to the soaking water, which assists with softening and flavor building.

Soak them 6-8 hours or overnight for a long soak then drain and rinse, or bring your water to a boil, boil the black eyed peas for 2 minutes, then turn off the heat, cover and soak them for 1 hour for a quick soak.

This recipe is so good! Serve it as a side dish or as a meal. I love it both ways. Serve it with some delicious cornbread!

Delicious Black Eyed Peas in a bowl

Recipe Tips & Notes

  • Other Ingredients. Black eyed peas are great with andouille sausage or smoked turkey, as well as any cooked greens, like collard greens or mustard greens. I love to mix those in.
  • Canned Black Eyed Peas. Canned black eyed peas can be used for this recipe. If using canned, reduce
  • Other Seasonings. You can use a good Creole seasoning blend if you'd like for this recipe instead of Cajun seasonings. They're very similar. Bay leaf is a nice flavor builder as well if you'd like to include one or two while the black eyed peas are simmering. Don't forget the hot sauce!

That's it, my friends. I hope you enjoy my black eyed peas recipe. Super tasty, and rather hearty. Let me know if you make it. I'd love to hear if you enjoyed it. Black eyed peas! Yes!

Try Some of My Other Popular Recipes

  • Maque Choux (Cajun Corn)
  • Cajun Red Beans and Rice
  • Dirty Rice
  • Boudin Balls
  • Cajun Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
  • Shrimp Creole
  • Creole Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
  • Seriously Awesome Jambalaya
  • Red Eye Gravy
  • Succotash
A scoop of Black Eyed Peas on a spoon

Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H.

Black Eyed Peas Recipe
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Black Eyed Peas Recipe

This black eyed peas recipe is huge on flavor, with chopped bacon, smoked ham, the Cajun holy trinity and lots of seasonings. Big taste of the U.S. south!
Save Recipe Saved!
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beans, black-eyed peas, cajun, southern
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Calories: 150kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist
Servings: 12
Tap or hover to scale
4.88 from 8 votes
Leave a Review

Ingredients

  • 4 slices bacon chopped
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 jalapeno pepper chopped (optional – I like it for a bit of extra heat)
  • 1 stalk celery chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 pound smoked ham chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning blend or more to taste - I usually use 2 tablespoons
  • 1 pound black eyed peas sorted through, rinsed, soaked and drained
  • 4 cups chicken stock or more as needed
  • Chopped parsley and spicy red pepper flakes for serving

Instructions

  • Heat a large pot to medium heat and add bacon. Cook for 5 minutes until the bacon starts to render the fat and crisp up.
  • Add the onion, peppers and celery and cook them until softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and smoked ham and cook another minute, stirring, until fragrant.
  • Add the Cajun seasonings, black eyed peas and chicken stock. Bring to a quick boil, then reduce the heat.
  • Simmer for 1 hour, or until the beans are nicely softened, but not mushy.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley and red chili flakes and serve.

SLOW COOKER BLACK EYED PEAS

  • Cook down the bacon and vegetables per the recipe, then transfer them to your slow cooker or crock pot along with the soaked black eyed peas and the remainder of the ingredients. Cook them on high for 5-6 hours on low or 8-10 hours, or until the black eyed peas are nicely softened, but not mushy.
    If you start with unsoaked black eyed peas that are not partially softened, you may need to increase your cooking time.

Video

Notes

Serves 12 as a side dish.
Heat Factor: Mild
Many factors may affect the cooking time of the black-eyed peas, including the age of the beans, where they were grown, even the water you are using. They will usually soften in about an hour, but time could run from 30-120 minutes, so be sure to test as you go along.
Cooking time does not include soaking the beans.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 150kcal   Carbohydrates: 13g   Protein: 13g   Fat: 6g   Saturated Fat: 2g   Cholesterol: 25mg   Sodium: 627mg   Potassium: 365mg   Fiber: 3g   Sugar: 3g   Vitamin A: 356IU   Vitamin C: 11mg   Calcium: 23mg   Iron: 2mg
Black Eyed Peas Recipe
Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.
 

Categories: Cajun Tags: Bell Peppers, black eyed peas, cajun, Chili Pepper Madness, chili pepper recipe, low budget/inexpensive meals, mikes favorites, video recipe

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Teresa says

    October 15, 2022 at 12:18 pm

    5 stars
    I made this and it was so very delicious! Served it with cornbread and stuffed, baked cabbage rolls! OMG! Great dinner!

    Reply
  2. Diane says

    September 12, 2022 at 5:16 am

    5 stars
    I made this and OOOHHH my goodness it is SOOOOO good... Will be making it again for sure....Thank you for the recipe......

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      September 12, 2022 at 5:40 am

      Awesome! Thanks, Diane!

      Reply
  3. Jérémié says

    March 22, 2021 at 1:49 pm

    5 stars
    That, Sir, was ex-cel-lent! love it! I became a bit mad with the flavor in the pot... maybe because I added some habanero. So: bacon+garlic +habanero+the rest of the ingredients= too much to cope! Thanks a lot, Mike (again).

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      March 22, 2021 at 2:29 pm

      Haha, thanks, Jérémié. You're like me and can't control the awesome flavoring! Glad you enjoyed it. =)

      Reply
  4. Nancy Kim says

    August 17, 2020 at 6:34 pm

    5 stars
    This was delicious even though I left out the ham. It wasn’t intentional. I thought I had some in the fridge, but it was something else. I didn’t feel like running to the store so I added a little more bacon to compensate.

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      August 18, 2020 at 5:54 am

      Glad you enjoyed it, Nancy!!

      Reply
  5. Jody W says

    July 18, 2020 at 8:52 am

    5 stars
    Seriously? This recipe looks aMAZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZig! Can't wait to try it out on my Louisiana-raised husband. Thanks, Mike, your recipes are awesome!

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      July 18, 2020 at 9:38 am

      Yes! So good, Jody! We really love this one. VERY tasty. I appreciate it!

      Reply
  6. shane says

    July 05, 2020 at 12:05 pm

    5 stars
    Made it with smoked pork belly instead of ham. Fantastic.

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      July 06, 2020 at 5:57 am

      Very nice!

      Reply
  7. Shane says

    July 04, 2020 at 11:58 am

    Made this with a pork belly I smoked last evening instead of the ham. Turned out great.

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      July 06, 2020 at 6:04 am

      Perfect, Shane! Sounds awesome!

      Reply
  8. Eddie says

    July 01, 2020 at 1:22 pm

    5 stars
    Was going to make this last night
    Oops had the wrong beans. Let's try anyway. I made bean soup with flavors that were absolutely delicious. Next will have to try with black eyed peas

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      July 01, 2020 at 1:46 pm

      Great! I appreciate it, Eddie! Glad you enjoyed it. Most definitely amazing with black eye peas.

      Reply
  9. jeff palmer says

    June 26, 2020 at 11:23 am

    4 stars
    am going to try this for sure:)
    I love in a recipe ; taste ; ease (in a slow cooker) and cheapness

    On a side note

    How many out there watch cooking shows and then they make a big deal over using jalapenos for the heat - and then rape the pepper of its heat? They take a spoon and rake out the seed and ribs. You might as well use a bell pepper. Heresy!

    Jeff
    Se Wis

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      July 01, 2020 at 1:47 pm

      Thanks, Jeff. Let me know if you enjoy it. I know, to some people a jalapeno pepper is plenty hot enough, even cored out.

      Reply

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