Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas + VIDEO

Slow cooker black-eyed peas is an easy recipe that is not only hearty and delicious but also a healthy option packed with fiber and vitamins. Whether you’re looking for a comforting crockpot meal that’s quick to prepare or an easy dish that celebrates Southern cuisine, my black-eyed peas version has you covered. Sit back and enjoy a taste of the South…with the convenience of the crockpot. Instructions to make this black-eyed peas recipe in the be Instant Pot are also included. 

Black-eyed peas are a staple in Southern cooking. Growing up, my Mother served them every year on New Years day. Of course as a child, I protested but it didn’t matter, I still had to eat at least one spoonful. These days, there’s no protest: I actually like black-eyed peas and closing out 2020, I could use the luck.

Ingredients For Black-Eyed Peas

• Black-Eyed Peas
• Ham Hock
• Chicken Broth
• Water
• Onion
• Garlic
• Bay Leaf
• Seasonings: salt, pepper, cumin, cayenne
• Hot Sauce (optional)

How To Make Black-Eyed Peas In The Crockpot

Slow Cooker

1. Rinse the black-eyed peas. No need to pre-soak.
2. Add the black-eyed peas, broth, water, onion, garlic, salt, cumin, pepper, bay leaf, and hot sauce (if using) to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well. Add the ham hock.
3. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.
4. Using tongs, carefully remove the ham hock. Shred the meat and stir the shredded meat back to into the slow cooker.
5. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Instant Pot

1. Rinse the black-eyed peas. No need to pre-soak.
2. Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Once hot add the oil & the onion and cook a few minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Turn off the pressure cooker.
3. Add black-eyed peas, broth, water, bay leaf,  salt, cumin, pepper, and hot sauce (if using). Stir to mix well. Add the ham hock.
4. Close lid and seal valve. Cook high pressure for 35 minutes. Natural release pressure for 10 minutes then quick release any remaining pressure.
5. Using tongs, carefully remove the ham hock. Shred the meat and stir the shredded meat back to into the Instant Pot.
6. Remove bay leaf before serving.

What Are Black-Eyed Peas & Are They Healthy?

Black-eyed peas are legumes and yes, black-eyed peas are healthy. They’re a great source of fiber, protein, and complex carbs which provides energy and can aid weight loss.

New Year’s Day Luck

A popular southern tradition is eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s day. There a variations to the reasoning behind it but the gist of it is that we eat black-eyed peas on New Year’s because they look like coins & symbolized prosperity and good luck. Eating black-eyed peas along with greens means for a financially prosperous New Year.

Dry Or Canned Black-Eye Peas

This black-eyed peas recipe is best made with dry black-eyed peas. The best part…NO pre-soak! That’s right, after you rinse the black-eyed peas, add them directly to the slow cooker or Instant Pot. You can use canned peas.  If you choose to use canned peas, be sure to buy enough. 15-ounces of canned black-eyed peas is not the same as 16 ounces of dry black-eyed peas. I suggest at least 4 15-ounce cans of black-eyed peas. Canned black-eyed peas are cooked so if you use them, you can cut the cooking time to 12 minutes. Also, if you use canned black eyed peas be sure to drain & rinse them before you add them to the appliance. Personally I think dry black-eyed peas work best with this recipe. 

Adding Pork

Another New Years day tradition for good luck is to eat pork. This is because pigs root forward, the same direction we should be moving in the new year. Hence the addition of pork in this recipe. I use a ham hock. If you can’t find or don’t want to use ham hock, you can substitute 8 ounces of cooked bacon or diced, cooked ham. If you do not eat pork, you can also use smoked poultry like smoked turkey legs or wings. This black-eyed peas recipe can easily be made vegan or vegetarian. To do so, use vegetable broth and omit the meat all together.

FAQs & Tips For This Black-Eyed Peas Recipe

• Switch up the meat! You don’t have to use ham hocks. Smoked turkey is a good substitution.
• To make this vegan, omit the meat all together and use vegetable broth or all water for the liquid. 
• No presoak. Do not pre-soak the black-eyed peas before cooking. The power of the slow cooker (or Instant Pot).
• When they’re done cooking, the black-eyed peas should be tender but not mushy.
• Serve these crockpot black-eyed peas over rice or alongside cornbread or greens. You can also sprinkle some hot sauce for an extra kick of flavor if desired.
• To make this recipe, I use a 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot.

New Year’s Recipes

• Pork & Sauerkraut

• Collard Greens

• Soul Food Chili

• Hoppin’ John

• Soul Food Soup

• Cornbread

Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas

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Slow cooker black-eyed peas is an easy recipe that’s not only hearty and delicious but also a healthy option packed with fiber and vitamins. Whether you’re looking for a comforting crockpot meal that’s easy to prepare or an easy dish that celebrates Southern cuisine, my black-eyed peas version has you covered. Sit back and enjoy a taste of the South…with the convenience of the crockpot. Instructions to make this black-eyed peas recipe in the be Instant Pot are also included.

• Author: Shannon Epstein
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 16 ounces dry black-eyed peas, rinsed
• 8 ounces ham hock
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
• 1 tablespoon oil (for the Instant Pot)
• 1 bay leaf

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Instructions

Slow Cooker

1. Rinse the black-eyed peas. No need to pre-soak.
2. Add the black-eyed peas, broth, water, onion, garlic, salt, cumin, pepper, bay leaf, and hot sauce (if using) to the slow cooker. Stir to mix well. Add the ham hock.
3. Cook HIGH 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.
4. Using tongs, carefully remove the ham hock. Shred the meat and stir the shredded meat back to into the slow cooker.
5. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Instant Pot

1. Rinse the black-eyed peas. No need to pre-soak.
2. Turn on the pressure cooker and select sauté. Once hot add the oil & the onion and cook a few minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Turn off the pressure cooker.
3. Add black-eyed peas, broth, water, bay leaf,  salt, cumin, pepper, and hot sauce (if using). Stir to mix well. Add the ham hock.
4. Close lid and seal valve. Cook high pressure for 30 minutes. Natural release pressure for 15 minutes then quick release any remaining pressure.
5. Using tongs, carefully remove the ham hock. Shred the meat and stir the shredded meat back to into the Instant Pot.
6. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Notes

The black-eyed peas will thicken as it cools.

Nutrition

• Serving Size:
• Calories: 293
• Sugar: 4.7 g
• Sodium: 538.4 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
• Carbohydrates: 37.2 g
• Fiber: 6.3 g
• Protein: 24.3 g
• Cholesterol: 26.6 mg

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