Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas Recipe
364 CommentsUpdated Jan 19, 2026
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Make a new tradition with this slow cooker black-eyed pea recipe and bring yourself good luck by making these on New Year’s Day! These southern-style black-eyed peas are slow-cooked with ham, bacon, and onion and make a perfect meal.
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“These are the absolute best I’ve ever had! Tried this recipe for New Years this year and they were perfect! Best flavor!”
– a.r.
Why are black eyed peas eaten on New Years Day?
In the years in the past, I always thought to make these New Year’s Day Black-Eyed Peas too late in the day, so get your ingredients ready! Some believe that eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day will bring prosperity to the new year.
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. Not to mention, the flavors will help even the pickiest eater enjoy black-eyed peas. Enjoy!
Key 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.
How to Make Black Eyed Peas
- Dump the peas, broth, tomatoes, bacon, ham, onion, garlic, and spices (no salt yet!) into the slow cooker.
- Cook on HIGH until everything is tender and the pot is bubbling with flavor.
- Season to taste, serve and have good luck all year!
Should I soak black eyed peas first?
- For my version, you DO NOT have to soak. Just be sure to cook on HIGH for 7 hours.
- However, if you really feel the need to soak your beans overnight you can. See my soaking method in the recipe card.
Sarah’s Tips & Variations
Vegetarian: Omit the bacon and ham, and use water or vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add a 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika and a 1/2 tsp. of liquid smoke. Also, add more salt at the end of cooking time to make up for the saltiness in the ham and bacon.
Kosher: Try one or more of these meats instead of pork: Smoked turkey kielbasa, chicken thighs, or turkey bacon. Add a 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke for more flavor.
Make it Spicy: Add Cajun seasoning at the end of cooking instead of salt. (Don’t want to add anything too salty or the beans won’t soften). Or add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper at the beginning of cooking.
Can I use Canned Black Eyed Peas?
This recipe was developed for dry black eyed peas. If you are to use canned, you would not need to cook as long or use as much liquid.
Can I use Fresh Black Eyed Peas?
If you’re using fresh or frozen black-eyed peas instead of dried, they’ll cook much faster. Simply add them straight to the slow cooker with the other ingredients and cook until tender, keeping in mind you won’t need as much liquid as you would for dried peas. Season at the end and adjust the consistency however you like.
Serving Ideas
These black-eyed peas pair perfectly with Slow Cooker Collard Greens, which add that classic Southern flavor.
A creamy side like Crockpot Mac and Cheese works great too, especially if you make it in a second crockpot.
For something to soak up the broth, Slow Cooker Cornbread is always a delicious choice.
A fresh Tomato and Cucumber Salad adds a crisp contrast to the warm, hearty beans.
And if you want to make it a full meal, these peas are wonderful served with a Complete Ham Dinner.
Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas Recipe
How to Video
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
- ½ cup diced sweet onion
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp. oregano
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- about ¼ 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.
Sarah’s Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Looking for an instant pot black eyed peas recipe, we love this one from 40 aprons.
How to Store and Reheat:
Place in Tupperware and refrigerate for up to three days. Or freeze for up to three months. Thaw and reheat on the stove in a small pan or microwave.
More Crockpot Bean Recipes:
Slow Cooker Charro Beans and Slow Cooker Black Beans are great as sides for Mexican-inspired meals or as a base for burrito bowls. Both cook up tender and seasoned to perfection with minimal effort.
For a comforting, protein-packed meal, try Ham and Beans or 15 Bean Soup with Ham—hearty, filling options that use leftover ham and are perfect for chilly nights.
Crockpot Baked Beans are a classic barbecue side with sweet and smoky flavor, while Slow Cooker Refried Beans are creamy and flavorful—ideal for tacos, tostadas, or as a dip at your next get-together.
Oh how I love black eyed peas! These look delicious!
This looks like a great slow cooker meal idea, and I love that this is thought to bring good luck! I had never heard that before, and this year I am seeing it all over the web!
we love black eyed peas and these ones look fabulous! Great recipe for New years!
I was just introduced to the southern tradition of eating black-eyed peas for New Year’s when I was researching my Hoppin’ John Dip recipe. 🙂 I am loving all of these food traditions for the New Year. And I LOVE that this recipe is made in the slow cooker- my kind of recipe for sure. 😉
This will be a nice addition to my list of healthy and yummy slow-cooker recipes. What a nice way to start the new year! 🙂
Yummy! I may just make them New Years, still can’t make up my mind. These sure do look good….
It’s been a tradition in my husband’s family to eat Black Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day and we have made the beans for our family too. Love this slow cooker recipe!
I’m with you – smokey beans and cornbread is a fabulous way to start off the new year. Great post – looks delicious!
This recipe sounds DELISH!! But I’m cooking for some people that only eat Kosher what can I use instead of bacon and ham?
Perhaps turkey bacon? And chicken thighs? That’s a tough one. Anyone else have ideas for kosher black-eyed peas?
I’m going to try it with smoked turkey sausage or turkey kielbasa.
We make it vegan/vegetarian and use smoked paprika and liquid smoke (to taste, starting with 1/2 teaspoon each) to give it a smokey flavor similar to what ham or bacon would do 🙂
Great tips, thank you!
I use Bakon Yeast to add a smoke flavor without adding critter to my vegetarian beans.
Thank you for the tip!
I’ve had great results with using smoked turkey parts, ie… Turkey tails, wings or legs. Using a slow cooker brings out the rich smoky flavor that compliments the black eyed peas.
That sounds awesome Ken. Thanks for sharing that great idea.
take your hambone out before the guests arrive. they’ll never know the difference and it sure won’t hurt them. you just cant make blackeyed peas without ham or bacon or saltpork.
OMG! They might have dietary restrictions, or keep kosher so religious convictions. That’s just so rude…
Well its rude to go to someones house and tell them how to cook…so.
They’re not telling you how to cook. They’re telling you what they CAN’T EAT. I wouldn’t eat a cracker at your home.
I can’t believe you suggested that!! Thats horrible!!!
I totally agree that was just rude to think that you can cook black eye peas without pork in them. If you don’t eat pork well then bring your own peas or don’t eat them. Everyone wants to change things to suit them and their needs well that’s ok but don’t expect everyone to think it’s hell and damnation because others have lived on things like this for centuries and long happy lives I might add. Religious reasons, so be it but health reasons? Eating the whole pot may be bad for you but a serving won’t kill anyone. Please stop trying to change cooking for the healthy, hard working southerners who view our food as part of our culture. Rant over.
I have never used meat of any kind and everyone loves mine. To each their own.
This sounds amazing! My in-laws will be visiting for New Year’s. Dad-in-law can’t have pork, so I’ll try using some diced smoked turkey sausage. I’ll let you know how it turns out. I love blackeyed peas. Will be nice with a pan of cornbread!
Make a little extra cornbread and put it in the bottom of an individual bowl .When peas are scooped over it soaking up the BEP juice, Oh dear thats good. Also serve with a peace of onon to eat with it.
Good way to serve Pinto Beans as well. ummmm :o)
I love those ideas!