This Black-Eyed Peas Recipe is so flavorful and easy to make! Black-Eyed Peas are quick cooking and make a filling meal. Often served on New Year's Day, to bring good fortune, you can make these tasty beans anytime!
Tender beans and a flavorful broth make this a delicious one-pot meal.
Black-Eyed Peas Recipe
These cute little beans, that really do have a black eye (a spot) on them, are easy to make, and taste great.
Black-Eyed Peas are not actually peas, they are beans, legumes. These beans have a history in the Southern USA.
People will eat Black-Eyed Peas with pork on New Year's Day because they are said to bring good luck.
What Does it Mean to Sort the Beans?
- An important step when preparing any beans, peas, lentils, etc. is to rinse them very well and sort or pick through them.
- Since these are an agricultural product, there is bound to be small stones, stems, or other debris. Sorting is looking through them to find that debris (especially any stones!).
Is it Necessary to Soak Black Eyed Peas?
No it isn't. These are small beans and they cook in about an hour on the stovetop. Soaking them isn't necessary.
Which Meat is Best With Black-Eyed Peas?
- The best meat to use is one that has been smoked. That smoky flavor is wonderful with Black-Eyed Peas.
- Pork is traditional. Usually ham or bacon. You can use a leftover meaty ham bone or leftover ham, or bacon, or ham hocks.
- Another tasty meat to cook the beans with is smoked turkey wings or legs, necks, etc.
Can This be Made Vegetarian?
• Yes it can. I would use some flavorful vegetable broth, as well as some extra smoked paprika for more flavor.
• You could also add some extra veggies like chopped carrots, celery and kale for added bulk and nutrition.
How to Make Black-Eyed Peas
Add the ham bone, bay leaves, and broth or water to the pot. Add the onion. Rinse and sort the Black-Eyed Peas and add them to the pot.
Add the herbs, garlic, and smoked paprika to the pot. Stir well. Bring to a boil and cook for an hour.
Check the beans to make sure they are done. Remove the bone and take off the meat. Add the meat to the pot and stir. Taste and add balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper, if desired.
Can Canned or Frozen Black-Eyed Peas be Used?
Yes. Add them at the 30-minute mark so they don't get overcooked. If using canned, drain and rinse the beans before adding.
Can I Add More Vegetables to Black Eyed Peas?
Yes you can. Some of my favorite veggies to add are:
• Carrots
• Celery
• Kale (add after cooking)
• Whatever you like that can withstand the hour cook time. Or add quicker cooking veggies in halfway through the cook time.
Can Black-Eyed Peas be Frozen?
Yes they can. I like to freeze in portion sizes in an air-tight container or freezer zip-closure baggies. Store up to 3 months.
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If you make this delicious Black Eyed Peas recipe, please let me know. Just leave a comment below with a star rating. I'd like to know how you liked it!
Black-Eyed Peas Recipe
Equipment
- 6-quart Dutch Oven (or soup pot)
Ingredients
- Leftover Meaty Ham Bone (or smoked turkey wings or ham hocks)
- 6 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth (or water)
- 3 slices Smoky Bacon (optional)
- 1 pound Black-Eyed Peas, sorted and rinsed
- 1 large Yellow Onion, chopped
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 5 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 sprig Fresh Rosemary (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- 2 sprigs Fresh Thyme Leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried leaves, not ground)
- 2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika
- 1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Hot Sauce for Garnish (optional)
Instructions
- To the pot, add the ham bone (or turkey wings), broth, bacon, black-eyed peas, onion, bay leaves, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and smoked paprika to the pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low simmer. Cover the pot, leaving a small opening for steam to escape, and cook for 1 hour. Check the black-eyed peas to see if they are done. If not, cook longer until they are done.
- When the black-eyed peas are done, remove the ham bone and take any meat off of the bone and add it back into the pot. Remove the bay leaves and discard them.
- Taste and add balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper, if desired.
- Garnish with hot sauce, if desired.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!