This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

We love making these Black Eyed Peas for our New Year’s Day meal. This simple ingredient recipe is loaded with flavor and easy to make.

Black Eyed Peas in a large pot with a serving on a spoon
Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly!

We make this southern black eyed peas recipe every year to bring us good luck. This recipe is hearty, taste amazing, and made with easy ingredients. Skip the canned black eyed peas and make this recipe from scratch.

We love making Black Eyed Peas Recipes because of the many variations. We have even made Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas for a quick and easy dinner idea.

Why This Recipe Works

Black Eyed Peas can be seasoned many different ways. They are easy to make and cooking them in a large pot on the stove top makes it even easier. This is a great recipe to make ahead of time and store in the freezer.

This Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas Recipe is another easy to prepare this recipe. It is a great way to make them when you have to be gone all day with very little prep time.

Ingredients

Black Eyed Peas ingredients - bacon, onion, garlic, dry black eyed peas, chicken broth, creole seasoning, bay leaves
  • Thick Cut Bacon (diced into small pieces) 
  • White Onion (finely chopped) 
  • Minced Garlic 
  • Dry Black-Eyed Peas
  • Chicken Broth
  • Creole Seasoning 
  • Bay Leaves

For the full list of ingredients and recipe, scroll to the bottom for the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

  • Change Meat – We love the flavor of bacon, but you can also use ham hocks, smoked sausage, shredded pork, or leftover turkey. All are great options and provide so much flavor.
  • Seasoning – Change the seasoning to what you prefer. You can easily add in red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika. You can also use cloves garlic instead of minced garlic.
  • Collard Greens – For added flavor and luck, add in collard greens to the black eyed peas mixture.
  • Vegan – If you prefer this dish to be vegan, substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth. You can even added in carrots and celery for added flavor.

Step by Step Instructions 

Soaking dry black eyed peas in a bowl

Step 1 – Soak the black-eyed peas overnight in water and then drain off the excess water.  

Cooking chopped bacon in the large pot

Step 2 – Heat a dutch oven over medium high heat.  Add in the diced bacon and cook until the bacon is crispy (10-15 minutes).  

Cooking onions in the large pot

Step 3 – Add the diced onions into the pans and sauté the onion in the bacon grease until the onions are soft and translucent (7-10 minutes).  

Adding in the minced garlic

Step 4 – Add in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until the garlic is aromatic. 

Adding in the black eyed peas to the large pot and add in seasoning and bay leaf

Step 5 – Stir in the black-eyed peas, chicken broth, Creole Seasoning and bay leaves

Stirring in the cooked bacon

Step 6 – Bring the mixture to a boil.  Then reduce the heat to a low simmer.  Cover and cook for 60-90 minutes (stirring occasionally) until the peas are tender (easily mashed with a fork or spoon). Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cooked bacon.  Then the black-eyed peas are ready to serve and enjoy! 

Recipe Tips

  • Prepare Black Eyed Peas – Remove any debris from the dried peas until adding them to the pan.  Wash and allow them to soak overnight.
  • Bacon – Remove the bacon from the pan and place on a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess grease.  Leave the bacon grease in the pan.  
  • Cooking Time – Cooking time will vary. Make sure to continue to stir the black eyed peas while it is cooking. Keep the black eyed peas covered while cooking. This will help to cook them evenly.
  • Meal Prep – If you are looking for a meal to take for lunch for the week, this can be prepared as a side dish or as a main meal idea.
  • Thicker Broth – If you prefer a thicker broth, mash some cooked black peas in a blender or a food processor. Then add them back to the pot of black eyed peas to thicken.
Blacked Eyed Peas in a white bowl

Serving Suggestions

When we make these Black Eyed Peas we like to serve with our favorite side dishes. This includes our Homemade Cornbread, White Rice or mac and cheese.

We love this soulful food for many reasons and we enjoying it making it throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Black Eyed Peas taste like?

Some people might think they taste bland but adding in the right amount seasoning and ham or bacon, makes them taste amazing.

Do I Need to Soak Beans?

Yes, we do recommend soaking beans before making this recipe. This helps to cut down on your cooking time.

How to Store Leftover?

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. 

Can I Freeze?

Yes, you can freeze cooked black eyed peas. Once they have cooled to room temperature, place in freezer safe container. They will stay fresh for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat?

When you are ready to serve, allow the black eyed peas to thaw in the fridge overnight. Then reheat in the microwave or on the stove top depending on how much you have left.

Black Eyed Peas on a plate

More Easy Bean Recipes:

We love hearing from you. If you make this Black Eyed Peas Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

Black Eyed Peas

5 from 2 votes
We love making these Black Eyed Peas for our New Year's Day meal. This simple ingredient recipe is loaded with flavor and easy to make.
Prep Time 8 hours
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 9 hours 30 minutes
Servings 10
Cuisine American
Course Side Dish
Calories 207

Ingredients

Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly.

Instructions

  • Soak the black-eyed peas overnight in water and then drain off the excess water.
  • Heat a dutch oven over medium high heat.  Add in the diced bacon and cook until the bacon is crispy (10-15 minutes).
  • Remove the bacon from the pan and place on a plate lined with paper towels.  Leave the bacon grease in the pan.
  • Add the diced onions into the pans and sauté the onion in the bacon grease until the onions are soft and translucent (7-10 minutes).
  • Add in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until the garlic is aromatic.
  • Stir in the black-eyed peas, chicken broth, Creole Seasoning and bay leaves.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil.  Then reduce the heat to a low simmer.  Cover and cook for 60-90 minutes (stirring occasionally) until the peas are tender (easily mashed with a fork or spoon).
  • Remove from heat.  Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cooked bacon.  Then the black-eyed peas are ready to serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Remove any debris from the dried peas until adding them to the pan.  
Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 207kcal, Carbohydrates 11g, Protein 9g, Fat 14g, Saturated Fat 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2g, Monounsaturated Fat 6g, Trans Fat 0.04g, Cholesterol 25mg, Sodium 751mg, Potassium 233mg, Fiber 3g, Sugar 2g, Vitamin A 107IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 21mg, Iron 1mg

Pin This Now to Remember It Later

Pin Recipe

Try these other recipes

Share this recipe!

PinYummly

About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave A Review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating