Black Eyed Peas Recipe (2024)

Southern style black eyed peas can be served year round but are said to bring luck for the New Year. Creamy, flavorful and best served with collard greens and cornbread!

Black Eyed Peas Recipe (1)

This recipe for black eyed peas is ultra comforting and flavorful! Smoky and somewhat spicy, this creamy dish is sure to be a hit with your family. It’s also 100% vegan.

You can add collard greens (or kale) directly to the pot, or serve them on the side with cornbread, of course! I’ve included an option for making them in the Instant Pot (with no soaking required). The stovetop version takes a little bit of time, but it’s almost all hands off.

Black eyed peas recipe – how to make them

First, rinse your peas and discard any that are discolored or broken. Place them in a large pot along with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, and cook for 2 minutes, then cover the pot, remove it from heat and let the peas soak for 1 hour without lifting the lid.

Black Eyed Peas Recipe (2)

Once the hour has passed, drain the beans, wipe out the pot and bring it back to the stovetop. Sauté the onion, celery, bell pepper and garlic in a few tablespoons of olive oil in the pot for about 4-5 minutes until the vegetables have softened.

Black Eyed Peas Recipe (3)

Now add the smoked paprika, thyme, red pepper flakes, black pepper, the softened peas and 4 cups of vegetable broth. Add the greens as well, if you want. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to simmer and cook for 1-1 1/2 hours, until a bit creamy. The peas should be soft as well. Serve and enjoy!

Black Eyed Peas Recipe (4)

Instant Pot black eyed peas

To make them in an Instant Pot, first press the sauté button. Heat the oil in the inner pot, then add the onion, celery, bell pepper and garlic. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, then turn it off for a moment. Add the smoked paprika, thyme, red pepper flakes, pepper, broth and dried (not soaked) black eyed peas.

Stir, then seal and cook at high manual pressure for 30 minutes. Let the pressure release naturally, then carefully remove the lid and serve.

Black Eyed Peas Recipe (5)

Want more recipes featuring beans?

  • The Best Vegan Baked Beans
  • Instant Pot Refried Beans
  • Mexican Rice and Beans
  • Ultimate Vegan Chili

Black Eyed Peas Recipe (6)

Black Eyed Peas Recipe

Southern style black eyed peas can be served year round but are said to bring luck for the New Year. Creamy, flavorful and best served with collard greens and cornbread!

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Soaking time: 1 hour hr

Total: 2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Servings: 10 servings

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound dried black eyed peas
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium sweet onion, diced small
  • 2 ribs celery, diced small
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced small
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • few shakes of black pepper
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • salt, to taste
  • chopped parsley, optional for topping
  • 3-4 cups chopped collard greens or kale, optional

Instructions

  • Rinse the peas and discard any that are discolored or broken. Add the peas to a large pot, along with 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, then cover the pot, remove it from the heat and let soak for 1 hour without lifting the lid.

  • Once hour has passed and the peas have softened, drain them and set aside.

  • In the same pot you soaked the beans in, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, red bell pepper and garlic and cook for 4-5 minutes until the onion is translucent and the vegetables softened.

  • Now add the smoked paprika, thyme, red pepper flakes, black pepper, the softened peas and 4 cups of vegetable broth. Stir well and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 1-1 1/2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes. If desired, add chopped greens in as well and let them cook with the peas. When the mixture is soft and a bit creamy, it is done.

  • Add salt to taste, and a few splashed of hot sauce if desired.

  • Divide into bowls and serve with a side of collard greens (unless you added them right into the pot!) and cornbread. Sprinkle with parsley. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. Instant Pot - No need to soak if you go this route. Press the sauté button, then sauté the onion, celery, pepper and garlic in olive oil for 5 minutes. Then add the spices, pepper, broth, dried beans and greens, if using. Stir. Seal and cook at high pressure for 30 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally before carefully removing the lid.
  2. Want more heat? Add 1-2 chopped jalapeños and sauté along with the other vegetables, seeds removed or some left for spicy beans! Or add extra chili flakes or hot sauce.
  3. This dish freezes well and leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1of 10 servings | Calories: 201kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 394mg | Potassium: 610mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 976IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 4mg

Course: Main, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Author: Nora Taylor

Did you make this recipe?Mention @nora_cooks_vegan_ or tag #noracooks!

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Posted In: Budget Vegan Recipes, Dinner, Gluten Free, Holiday, Instant Pot, Main Dish, Meal Type, Method, Nut Free, Side Dishes, Special Dietary Needs

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Black Eyed Peas Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does baking soda do to black-eyed peas? ›

Bottom Line. If beans make you uncomfortably gassy, sprinkle a little baking soda into their soaking water. It will reduce the volume of gas produced by the legumes, plus, they will cook quicker. If you're even shorter on time, you may want to try some of our favorite recipes to make with a can of black beans.

How long should black-eyed peas cook? ›

Place beans in a large pot and cover them with 4 inches of chicken stock. Simmer, covered, for about 1 hour. Start checking after 45 minutes to see if they are tender and add more broth or water as necessary to keep them covered. Add in a ham bone if you have one for even more flavorful black-eyed peas.

What thickens black-eyed peas? ›

If you want to thicken the black eyed pea soup/stew, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and about a half cup or so of the bean liquid. Slowly pour in small amounts and stir in the hot pot until you achieve the best consistency.

How do you jazz up black-eyed peas? ›

  1. Try melted cheese on black-eyed peas. I tried it, and my family loved it! They won't eat them any other way!!
  2. If you're not big on cheese, try simmering slowly with some ham and onions. I add just a bit of pepper. They're great served with greens and cornbread.
  3. Hope you like the suggestions !!
Jan 26, 2019

How much baking soda should I add to my beans? ›

We did several tests, but our favorite method was to use 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda per pound of old beans and to soak the beans for 4 hours. After the soaking stage, we rinsed the beans and added 1/4 teaspoon of fresh baking soda per cup of beans.

What happens if you don't pre soak black-eyed peas? ›

Cooking time for black-eyed peas that haven't been soaked will be longer compared to soaked ones. On average, it may take around 1 to 1.5 hours of simmering to achieve a tender and cooked consistency. However, cooking time can vary depending on the freshness of the peas and altitude.

Can you overcook black-eyed peas? ›

Drain them the next day and bring them to a boil in cold water, then reduce the heat so the water barely simmers: dried black-eyed peas can overcook, and a rolling boil could cause them to break apart. Taste the peas often to check their doneness: They should be creamy but retain their shape.

Should you rinse black-eyed peas before cooking? ›

Sneak a Bite

If you're using canned black-eyed peas, simply rinse them in a colander to remove any liquid from the can as well as excess salt. Then you're good to go!

Are black-eyed peas good for you? ›

Black-eyed peas are highly nutritious and associated with many impressive health benefits. In particular, they may help support weight loss, improve heart health, and promote digestive health. They're also versatile, delicious, and easy to incorporate into a number of recipes as part of a healthy diet.

Do you put a penny in black-eyed peas? ›

3 Although we don't endorse this practice, some people will even put a penny or a dime inside their pot of peas. Whoever is "lucky" enough to receive the coin will have the most luck for the rest of the year.

What is the difference between black eyed beans and black-eyed peas? ›

Black eyed peas, also known as cowpeas, black-eyed beans, or goat peas, are a bean grown throughout the world. Records show that the bean was brought to the West Indies by enslaved West Africans as early as 1674.

How to dress up black-eyed peas? ›

Flavor Variations

And to make this dish more nutritious, you can add collard greens, carrots, and bell peppers. Tropical Twist – Make these black-eyed peas with bacon and pork creamy and interestingly yummy with coconut milk. And I bet you'll love this dish even more.

Do you cover black-eyed peas when cooking? ›

Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas

Add rinsed black eyed peas to Instant Pot and cover with water, plus about 2 inches. Add in ham bone, bacon or salt pork, if using. If you prefer a vegetarian or vegan method, use 2 tablespoons olive oil. Secure the lid to the Instant Pot and cook under high pressure for 25 minutes.

Are frozen black-eyed peas already cooked? ›

Premium Blackeye Peas, from Hanover Foods, are a good source of protein and fiber. They are precooked and frozen, offering you the convenience of not having to soak them.

Why do you put baking soda in peas? ›

A teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda can be added to the peas whilst soaking or cooking (to speed up the softening process), but you can still achieve that perfect creamy texture with nothing but water - unless your water is especially hard.

Does baking soda destroy nutrients in beans? ›

On the other side of the pH equation, the addition of an alkali such as baking soda will break down the cell structure of the beans. But use it sparingly—no more than1/8 teaspoon per pound of beans. Too much will destroy nutrients and result in mushy beans.

What happens if you put too much baking soda in beans? ›

A little bit of baking soda goes a long way, but if you use too much, it can ruin the taste of your beans.

Why does baking soda reduce gas in beans? ›

As it turns out, baking soda significantly decreases the levels of raffinose, the gas-causing sugar present in beans. When should you add baking soda to beans? It works best with just a pinch (about 1/16 of a teaspoon) sprinkled into dried beans while they soak in water before cooking.

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