Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe
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Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe
This Southern Black Eyed Peas recipe is bursting with bold Cajun flavors, smoky bacon, and just the right amount of spice. It's easy to make and totally packed with flavor. Trust me y'all, it’s a dish that hits the spot every time! Gluten-free + Meatless Option.
Okay, I'll be honest—I'm a huge fan of bean recipes, and this Southern Black-Eyed Peas recipe is a total classic that I grew up loving. It’s perfectly spicy, smoky, and hearty, just like my Good Ole’ Cajun Red Beans. It’s the kind of comfort food that brings back memories and never fails to satisfy!
This Southern Black-Eyed Peas recipe is perfect as a main dish, especially when you pair it with a yummy side like cornbread. If you’re a bean lover like me, definitely check out my BBQ Pinto Beans, Tuscan 'Marry Me' Butter Beans, and Vegan Jamaican Stew Peas. And if beans ever give you trouble, take a look at my 5 Tips For Better Bean Digestion for a smoother experience!
Jump to:
- What Are Southern Black Eyed Peas?
- Why You Will LOVE What Are Southern Black Eyed Peas!
- Ingredients For Southern Black Eyed Peas
- How To Soak Dried Black Eyed Peas
- How To Serve Southern Black Eyed Peas
- Are Black Eyed Peas Beans or Peas?
- Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe Q + A's
- More Recipes Loaded With Cajun Flavor
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- The Best Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe
What Are Southern Black Eyed Peas?
Southern Black Eyed Peas are made with tender black-eyed peas, aromatic and bold spices. Sometimes, there's smoky bacon or ham in the mix for extra flavor. It's actually pretty common to enjoy them on New Year’s Day, as they’re believed to bring good luck for the year ahead!
Why You Will LOVE What Are Southern Black Eyed Peas!
- Bold Cajun spices with just the right kick
- Easy to make, but feels like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen.
- Total comfort food in a bowl!
- Simple ingredients, big flavor—what’s not to love?
Ingredients For Southern Black Eyed Peas
BLACK EYED PEAS:
- Extra virgin olive oil. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
- Onion. Diced (You can use white, yellow, or red)
- Red bell pepper. Chopped.
- Jalapeño. Also chopped, remove some seeds if you want less spice.
- Garlic cloves. Minced.
- Cajun seasoning. Homemade or store-bought
- Worcestershire sauce. My favorite is from Annies.
- Cooked bacon. Chopped.
- Dried black eyed peas. Soaked + rinsed (See Notes for how to soak; you can sub with 2 (15 oz.) cans of black eyed peas)
- Chicken stock. You can also use vegetable stock
- BBQ sauce. Homemade or store-bought
- Kale. Chopped + destemmed.
- Bay leaves.
SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS BLACK EYED PEAS RECIPE!
Here, I’ve curated a list of baking + cooking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite dishes, especially with this Black Eyed Peas Recipe recipe. Everything from my fave tongs, knives, pans, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
How To Soak Dried Black Eyed Peas
To soak dried black-eyed peas, follow these 3 simple steps:
1. Rinse the peas
Place the dried peas in a colander and rinse them under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
2. Soak the peas
- Overnight method: Place the rinsed peas in a large bowl and cover them with about 3-4 cups of water for every 1 cup of dried peas. Let them sit at room temperature for 6-8 hours or overnight.
- Quick soak method: If you're short on time, put the rinsed peas in a pot, cover them with water, and bring it to a boil. Once it’s boiling, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let the peas sit for about 1 hour.
3. Drain + rinse
After soaking, drain the peas and give them a quick rinse before cooking. Now, they’re ready to be used in your recipe!
How To Serve Southern Black Eyed Peas
For some seriously tasty sides to go with your Southern black-eyed peas, try these crowd-pleasers:
- Sop up that saucy goodness with some cornbread! You can even crumble it on top of the beans for some extra goodness.
- A crunchy coleslaw adds a nice tang.
- Fried green tomatoes
- Sautéed collard greens or green beans.
- Buttermilk biscuits
- Grilled or boiled corn, it’s a classic Southern favorite that everyone loves.
- Fried plantains add a sweet twist.
- Pickled veggies bring a refreshing zing that really brightens everything up!
- Fried chicken
- Rice (White or brown)
- Mashed potatoes
Are Black Eyed Peas Beans or Peas?
Black-eyed peas are actually beans, not peas! Even though they’re called "peas," they’re part of the legume family, like beans. So, they might have "peas" in the name, but they're technically beans.
Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe Q + A's
Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Be sure to cool them completely before refrigerating or freezing.
Yes, soaking helps them cook faster and more evenly. You can soak them overnight or use the quick soak method (boil, then let sit for 1 hour).
Absolutely! Just drain and rinse them before cooking. They won’t need as long to cook, just heat them through with your seasonings.
Yes! This recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure that any broth or seasoning you use is gluten-free (some store-bought broths or seasonings may contain gluten). Check the labels to be safe!
Yes! They store well in the fridge for 3-4 days and taste even better the next day after the flavors meld. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
Yes, you can make this Southern Black-Eyed Peas recipe vegan! Just skip the bacon and use smoked paprika or liquid smoke for flavor. Be sure to choose a vegan Worcestershire sauce (like Annie's) to keep it fully plant-based, and use a veggie stock.
More Recipes Loaded With Cajun Flavor
Now that you've fallen in love with these Southern Black Eyed Peas, give these other Southern dishes a try:
- Crispy Cajun Chicken Wings
- Southern-Style Cajun Pasta with Pecan Breadcrumbs
- Homemade Cajun Seasoning
- One Skillet Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
- Spicy Southern Shrimp + Grits
- Shrimp + Sausage Gumbo
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Southern Black Eyed Peas recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
The Best Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe
Ingredients
BLACK EYED PEAS:
- 2 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 onion, diced (You can use white, yellow, or red)
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tsps cajun seasoning, homemade or store-bought
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, organic
- 5 slices cooked bacon, chopped (You can sub with Candied Bacon or turkey wings or ham hocks, if desired)
- 1 lb. dried black eyed peas, soaked + rinsed (You can sub with 2 (15 oz.) cans of black eyed peas; See Notes)
- 6 cups organic chicken or vegetable stock
- 2 Tbsps BBQ sauce, homemade or store-bought
- 1 ½ cups chopped kale
- 2 bay leaves
Instructions
SORT + RINSE THE BEANS:
- In a large bowl, add the black eyed peas and sort the beans and discard any stones, debris, or "bad" looking beans. Cover the beans with water and then discard in beans that float to the top.
SOAK BEANS:
- Then soak the beans for at least 8 hours or overnight before rinsing and drain them. See Notes for more details!
COOK THE BEANS:
- In a pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil. Once heated, add the chopped onions and garlic, sautéing until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Add the chopped bell peppers, and jalapeños, sautéing for another 1-2 minutes. Then add the stock, Worcestershire sauce, black eyed peas, cooked bacon, BBQ sauce (if using), kale, bay leaves, and cajun seasoning, stirring to combine.
- Reduce the heat and let everything simmer (uncovered) until the black eyed peas become tender, about 40-45 minutes or so. After the 40 minutes mark, you can begin to check the beans every 10-15 minutes to ensure that they're the right amount of tenderness. Discard the bay leaves. NOTE: For a bit of thickness to the gravy/sauce, slightly mash a few beans as they cook using the back of a wooden spoon.
- Serve with your favorite side like Basmati rice, Brown rice, Coconut rice, Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread, Collard Greens, or whatever!
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Leftover beans can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight when ready to serve. To reheat, warm over the stovetop or microwave to serve.
- CANNED VS. DRIED: Instead of using dried beans, you can use 2 (15 oz.) cans of black eyed peas and add them in about 15 minutes before the dish is finished cooking.
- TIPS FOR BETTER DIGESTION WITH BEANS: Struggling with bean digestion? Here are 5 Tips For Better Bean Digestion to make it easier on your stomach so you can enjoy all the goodness beans have to offer!
Nutrition
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So yummy!
This was good!!