Make a new tradition with this slow cooker black-eyed pea recipe and bring yourself good luck by making these on new years day! These southern-style black-eyed peas are slow-cooked with ham, bacon, and onion and make a perfect meal.
Why are black-eyed peas eaten on new years day?
In the years in the past, I always think to make these New Year’s Day Black-Eyed Peas too late in the day, so get your ingredients ready! Some think that eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day will bring prosperity to the new year. We also make Collard greens to go with this!
How to make black-eyed peas in the crock pot
Ingredients
- DRIED black-eyed peas – This recipe is for a one pound bag of dried black eyed peas.
- Chicken broth – 7 cups of chicken broth, be sure to measure it out for the box doesn’t have exactly the amount that is stated on the box.
- Petite diced tomatoes – This is an addition my family loves. It gives the black eyed peas a tangy flavor and more color.
- Cooked bacon – The bacon needs to be cooked and crumbled, do not add it to the slow cooker raw or you will have a flavorless greasy mess.
- Diced ham – This can be leftover ham, just cube it!
- Other flavorings – Diced sweet onion, fresh garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. – Wait to add the salt until the cooking time is up.
Step-by-Step directions
Step One – Add the dried black-eyed peas to the crockpot, no need to presoak!
Step Two – Add the canned diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, ham, bacon, and seasonings. Pour over the chicken broth. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 7 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time. For creamy beans remove about a cup of beans and mash with a fork, stir these mashed beans into the rest of the beans.
Should I soak my black eyed peas?
- For my version you DO NOT have to soak. Just be sure to cook on HIGH for 7 hours.
- Though, if you really feel the need to soak your beans overnight you can! Be sure to rinse of the soaking water and add the chicken broth on top. You won’t need 7 cups of chicken broth if you presoak, you will only need 5.
Can I use a ham hock?
- Yes, omit the bacon and ham.
- Add 1 large or 2 small ham hocks to the pot at the beginning of cooking time.
- When the cooking time is up, remove the ham hocks, shred the meat (discard fat).
- Degrease the fat from the top of the peas by placing a paper towel over the grease and removing quickly.
- Add the shredded ham to the slow cooker. Stir and serve.
Can I make this vegetarian?
- Omit the bacon and ham.
- Use water instead of chicken broth.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke.
- Add more salt at the end of cooking time to make up for the saltiness in the ham and bacon.
Can I Make this kosher?
Try one or more of these meats instead of pork:
- Smoked turkey Kielbasa
- Chicken Thighs
- Turkey bacon
- Add a 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke for more flavor
Can I make this spicy?
- Add cajun seasoning at the end of the cooking time instead of salt. (Don’t want to add anything too salty or the beans won’t soften)
- OR
- Add a 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper at the beginning of the cooking time.
What goes with Black-Eyed Peas?
- Slow Cooker Collard Greens (or instant pot)
- Mac and cheese
- Cornbread or Garlic Bread
- Steamed white rice
How to store leftovers:
- Place in tupperware and refridgerate for up to three days.
- Or freeze for up to three months. Thaw and reheat on the stove in a small pan or microwave.
I am not a superstitious person, but I love traditions. Making a big pot of these smoky beans with cornbread will be a fun way to start off my new year. Enjoy!
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Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas Recipe
Equipment Needed:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. dried black-eyed peas
- 7 cups chicken broth
- 14 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
- 6 slices bacon cooked and sliced
- 1 cup diced ham
- 1/2 cup diced sweet onion
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- about 1/4 tsp. salt add to taste at the END of cooking time
Ideas for sides:
- cornbread or garlic bread
- collard greens
- steamed white rice
Instructions:
- Add the dried peas to the slow cooker. NO NEED TO PRESOAK.
- Add the chicken broth, can of diced tomatoes, bacon, ham, onion, garlic, oregano and pepper. Stir. WAIT TO ADD THE SALT.
- Cover and cook on HIGH FOR 7 hours. Do not open the lid during the cooking time.
- Add the salt to taste.
- For creamier beans remove 1 cup of the beans and mash. Add back to the slow cooker and stir.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR IF YOU PREFER TO SOAK YOUR BEANS:
- Start by soaking the black-eyed peas overnight in the slow cooker. Do this by adding the black-eyed peas to the slow cooker and add water to cover plus a few inches more. Let the black-eyed peas soak for at least 8 hours (don't turn on the slow cooker, just let them soak).
- Drain off the water in the morning. You will only need 5 cups of chicken broth for this recipe if you soak your beans. Add the chicken broth and remaining ingredients (except salt).
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 10 hours or HIGH for 6 hours. Mash 1 cup of the beans if you want a creamier texture.
How to Video:
Recipe Notes:
- Yes, omit the bacon and ham.
- Add 1 large or 2 small ham hocks to the pot at the beginning of cooking time.
- When the cooking time is up, remove the ham hocks, shred the meat (discard fat).
- Degrease the fat from the top of the peas by placing a paper towel over the grease and removing quickly.
- Add the shredded ham to the slow cooker. Stir and serve.
- Omit the bacon and ham
- Use water instead of chicken broth
- Add 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Add 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
- Add more salt at the end of cooking time to make up for the saltiness in the ham and bacon.
- Smoked turkey Kielbasa
- Chicken Thighs
- Turkey bacon
- Add a 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke for more flavor
- Add Cajun seasoning at the end of the cooking time instead of salt. (Don’t want to add anything too salty or the beans won’t soften)
- OR
- Add a 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper at the beginning of the cooking time.
Nutrition Information:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
I made it a couple days ago with 2 ham hocks. It is the first time I have had black eye peas. Just never got around to fixing it. It was excellent. Gave a couple neighbors some. They enjoyed. Fixed cornbread to go with it. I’m on a gluten free diet. For your information I am a 91 year old widower that lives alone and has cooked most of his life. Will definitely make again, Only 4 stars not because of recipe, but because I had to use garlic powder and use ham hocks. The next time will do it with real garlic and not powder and ham and bacon. Thank you!
The beans turned out great. I did half of the recipe due to my being the only person who eats beans. I need to know how to cut the gas affect from the beans.
I am making, again, today. I use a turkey leg (my husband doesn’t eat pork). I do not use the tomatoes.
I put chili flakes and a bay leaf.
This was the best black-eyed peas I have ever made.
Wow! Perfect. And if you put in the amounts shown in the photo, you will be fine.
This recipe is excellent! I did this with two small smoked hocks, used a can of diced fire-roasted tomatoes, and added sliced green chard leaves. One tip – if you’re old-school still using a round Rivel Crock-Pot from the ’80’s, it’s going to bubble over, so best to start with the crock pot on some kitchen towels to help control the liquid.
These were so very good. I will definitely make again and not wait for the next New Year’s day.
I’ll try to half the recipe next time but for now can I freeze the left overs? Thank you for the recipe
Yes! The leftovers are wonderful after being frozen.
I was so impressed with this recipe all I did was use Rotel Tomatoes and it is Delish!!!! Thank You!!