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 this for dinner and received lots of compliments. I used a hambone from HBH. I did double everything so I wound up with a massive batch. Lol. We will eat for leftovers tomorrow plus I’ll freeze the remaining in one cup increments to have for small individual mini meals on hand. Additionally, I followed the in-recipe link and made the crockpot collard greens as a side dish using smoked Turkey legs for the collards. Both recipes were on point with flavor! I will make both again but likely stick to a single batch with the Black-eye Peas as it’ll still be plenty left for leftovers OR individual freezer meals. I’d recommend this recipe as well as the in-recipe link for collard greens as a side dish.