This Southern Black-Eyed Peas recipe is slowly simmered in chicken stock, extra diced bacon, garlic, onion, and a handful of spices and seasonings. They are a total comfort food to eat any time of the year. Southern superstition holds that people who eat black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day will be blessed with a year’s worth of good luck. I don’t know if its true but hey, why not try!
Serve with cornbread or Amish bread with a slab of butter or honey butter. This must-make dish is great for the whole family or serving up a crowd at a family gathering.
Consider trying my cowboy Caviar as a fantastic appetizer. This easy dip includes black-eyed peas, beans, corn, and more.
What Are Black Eyed Peas
Black-eyed peas are part of the legume family and offer a firmer texture. They are light in flavor and have an almost nutty flavor. Most often, the peas are served in soups and casseroles, sauteed with ham or bacon, stews, or even casseroles.
The flavor is very mild, so you can use other ingredients to enhance the dish. Peas are a fantastic source of protein, fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
Reasons You Will Love This Black Eyed Peas Recipe…
- It is a total comfort food dish that is hearty and comforting.
- Serve this up for a hearty dinner meal for a crowd or your family.
- Black-eyed peas are loaded with protein, fiber, and more nutrients.
- It is a soulful dish that is loaded with flavor and a traditional Southern dish made for years.
- Black-eyed peas are fantastic for eating around New Year’s Day as a symbol of prosperity and good luck.
Ingredients You Will Need
Here is a quick look of what you will need for this black-eyed peas with bacon recipe. The full measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Bacon—I recommend reaching for thick-cut bacon that you slice into diced bite-size pieces.
- Onion – Yellow or white onion is best for this recipe. Thinly slice the onion into diced pieces.
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic or use jarred garlic for this recipe.
- Spices and Herbs – Seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, bay leaves, and parsley.
- Dried Black Eyed Peas – Soak the peas overnight and then rinse and drain them well for cooking.
- Chicken Stock – I used unsalted chicken stock for this recipe. You are more than welcome to use a bone broth.
- Butter – Unsalted butter is needed to flavor the dish and deepen the flavor.
Variations to Recipe
Tex Mex: To enhance the flavor, add chili powder, cumin, taco seasoning, or even smoked paprika.
Creamy: At the end of the cooking, swirl in some heavy cream or coconut milk to create a creamy black-eyed pea recipe. Shredded parmesan cheese can also add a nice tangy flavor.
Ham: Instead of diced bacon, consider swapping out some diced ham, a ham hock, or even chopped smoked turkey leg for an alternative or added flavor to the dish.
Spicy: If you want more heat, add some cayenne or even red pepper flakes to add a nice kick of spice.
Pro Tips for Making Recipe
Soaking Peas
Make sure that you have time to soak your peas overnight in water. This will help the cook time speed up, but the peas’ texture will be softer.
Render Bacon
Ensure you dice up the bacon and allow it to render while cooking it. These steps will help add more bacon flavor to the dish.
Unsalted Stock
Typically, you will use unsalted stock because this dish has a salty flavor, and adding salted stock can create a taste that is too salty for the overall dish.
Doneness of Peas
When you bite into a pea, you want it to be tender when you eat it. You can try a pea and eat it or smash it into your fingers to see. If you find it not tender enough, extend the cooking time.
Butter
Finishing your dish with a few slabs of butter will help create a rich flavor at the end and more flavor for your peas. I always add it at the end of cooking for a splash of more flavor.
Storing Leftovers
Store your black-eyed peas in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Then, you can reheat them in the microwave or stovetop. Heat until the mixture is warmed all the way through.
Go ahead and freeze any of the black-eyed peas you do not want to eat immediately. Freeze the mixture for 2-4 months. Then, when you are ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight, then warm up as you wish.
FAQs
Can I use other types of beans instead of black-eyed peas?
You can swap the black-eyed peas for navy beans, pinto beans, or even kidney beans. You will adjust the cooking time as directed by the directions on the dried beans’ package.
Can I use canned black-eyed peas instead of dried ones?
If you choose to use canned beans, rinse and drain the peas, pour them into the pan, and cook them. You will not need to soak the beans overnight.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock, and leave out the bacon. You can add in a few drops of liquid smoke to help give you that smoky flavor you would get from the bacon.
More Recipes with Beans
Black Eyed Peas
Ingredients
- 12 ounces thick-cut bacon 1/2 inch dice
- 1 small sweet onion small diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 pound dried black-eyed peas soaked overnight and drained
- 4 cups unsalted chicken stock
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- fresh chopped parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- In a dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy, 15-20 minutes stirring occasionally. Take the bacon out, reserving the bacon drippings in the pot, and place the cooked bacon on a paper-towel-lined plate.
- Add the onion to the pot and cook until softened and translucent, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, pepper, and cayenne to the pot. Stir it in and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the peas, chicken stock, and bay leaves to the pot, and stir it together. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and simmer, covered, for 60-90 minutes, stirring occasionally. They are done when the peas are tender.
- Add the butter and stir it in to melt, taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve with the crispy bacon on top and fresh parsley if desired.
Did you make this recipe?
Make sure to follow on Pinterest for more recipes!
Leave A Reply!