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.
Pair these delicious beans alongside my Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork Roast and Slow Cooker Focaccia Bread for a complete New Year’s meal.
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. We also make slow cooker collard greens to go with this!
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 eat black eyed peas. Enjoy!
Recipe 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! Add the canned diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, ham, bacon, and seasonings.
Step Two – Pour over the chicken broth.
Step Three – Stir everything together until well combined.
Step Four – Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 7 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time. Serve warm and enjoy these absolutely delicious New Year’s black eyed peas!
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! Be sure to rinse off 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.
Recipe FAQs
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
For creamy beans remove about a cup of beans and mash with a fork, stir these mashed beans into the rest of the beans.
This recipe was developed for dry black eyed peas. I you were to use canned you would not need to cook as long or use as much liquid.
What can I serve black eyed peas with?
- Southern-Style Collard Greens: Simmered with smoked ham hocks or bacon, collard greens add a rich, savory element that pairs well with the earthiness of black-eyed peas. Try my slow cooker collard greens recipe or try this instant pot black eyed peas recipe.
- Mac and Cheese: We love to make this easy slow cooker mac and cheese recipe in our other crockpot.
- Cornbread: The slightly sweet and crumbly texture of cornbread is a classic accompaniment that complements the heartiness of black-eyed peas. You can make slow cooker cornbread!
- Rice: Steamed white or brown rice is a simple, versatile side that provides a neutral base for the flavorful black-eyed peas.
- Smoked Sausage or Andouille: Sliced andouille sausage or smoked sausage adds a savory kick and a bit of spice, enhancing the dish’s overall taste.
- Okra: Whether fried, sautéed, or stewed, okra brings a unique texture and flavor that pairs well with the creamy consistency of black-eyed peas.
- Tomato and Cucumber Salad: A refreshing side salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and a light vinaigrette can provide a crisp contrast to the warm and comforting black-eyed peas. Try this wonderful recipe for tomato and cucumber salad that we love.
More great bean recipes you will love:
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Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas Recipe
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.
How to Video:
Sarah’s 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.
Mom says
Great recipe!! I leave out the tomatoes rinse and soak the black eyed peas first and add green pepper and season salt I also use 2 small ham hocks and 1 cup chopped ham or I use a left over ham bone. It’s also good adding some chopped greens near the end of cooking
Sheri says
Love it. Period! Did not use the onion for allergy reasons. Otherwise, it’s perfection! I prepared with basmati and cornbread.
Taylor says
When should I add canned green beans? I’m making this this weekend for family. Thank you for posting.
Sarah Olson says
I would add the last hour.
Sandrs says
I agree this is an excellent recipe. It is very close to what I normally do. In regards to your question about the green beans. I would add the Black eyed peas and green beans in at the same time. That will enable both the Black eyed peas and the flavor from the string beans to mailed. Anytime you use string beans based on what my grandmother and mother taught me is that they need ample time to cook tinder and yet to be flavorful. Personally I don’t like string beans that have been cooked an hour. Their flavor has not penetrated the food nor has it given time for them to become tender but left them slightly on the crunchy side. Now if you want to make the string beans a side dish. Depending upon the size of your crowd I would use no less than a 3/4 crock pot for a few people or a five quart crock pot to ensure that I had plenty of room for my seasoning. So let’s assume you are having a big crowd. By that I mean five or six adults plus yourself. In a f 5 quart crock pot, add four cans of a quality string bean put in new potatoes. You can either buy them and Dyson or you can use the canned ones or sliced ones. If I was cooking for cans of string beans I would want at least two cans of potatoes. You can use either hickory smoked bacon but not maple. Or you can use diced ham ham hocks or ham bone. Add onion to taste. I usually use about a half of a medium size onion but I’m not a strong onion eater. It may require one whole medium onion. Season with a little salt and pepper and garlic powder. Put on high and leave it cooking for 4 to 5 hours. You may think that is a long time but it does take time for string beans to cook two a tender flavorful level. Check the water as you go along. You may need to add a half a cup but don’t drown your beans. Too much liquid is not good. Now let’s go back to the Black eyed peas for just a couple of minutes. If I were to cook my string beans as a side dish then I would add PODS of okra at the same time I added my peas. The boiled okra in the peas gives them a delicious flavor. Yet I am an okra fan. I love boiled okra in peas or I love fried okra as a side dish. Now that is my recommendation based on being around a family of Southern Cooks who were known throughout the area in which they live for their expertise in a kitchen. I am proud of my heritage and of the quality of the products that my great aunt my great cousin grandmother and my mother taught me over the years. I hope that my recommendations will help you to have a delicious meal as well as and enjoyable time with your famil
Carolyn says
I made this for my New Year’s dinner. I pre-soaked peas & I used ham & bacon. I used all of the ingredients mention except, I added diced red bell pepper instead of the tomatoes. Absolutely, Delicious!! Thanks for the recipe.
Sandra says
What a terric idea. I will add in the tomatoes as well as the bell peppers. Who knows, I may even throw in a jalapeno or two to spice it up.
Andrea Clark says
Our slow cooker must get very hot on high because after 7 hours our beans were burned. We went to a movie and expected to come back to a delicious dinner and instead walked into a house that smelled burnt. I even commented before we left (about 3 hours into the cooking time) that the liquid looked like it wasn’t enough. Should have followed my instincts and added more before we left. Just a heads up. If you know your slow cooker has a strong high setting add more liquid or watch it and add more liquid half way through.
Kella says
Making this for tonight! Husband said he thinks it’d be good over rice, so I am going to make some minute rice with it.
KC says
When do you add the collard greens? My husband requested it.
Sarah Olson says
I would add the last 2 hours.
Rebekah says
This is amazing and so easy! It filled up my apartment with lovely smells. Salting at the end is a wise idea for several reasons. I will definitely be making this again, and not just on New Year’s Day.
Connie Saunders says
Family opted for no tomatoes so I used 8 cups chicken broth. It was FANTASTIC!!! I might use low sodium stock next time. Or maybe substitute a couple of cups of water with some of the stock – it was just a tad too salty for me.
Daisy says
Oh so delicious!
I had my left over ham bone and meat from Christmas and just threw it together this morning.
Except, I forgot I was making a half batch and used the whole can of tomatoes (oops).
Still tasty (good thing I really like tomatoes). I tossed in red pepper flakes and bay leaves, too.
Ryan says
Sorry if this is a dumb question. Can I cut the cook time down 4 hours / do they need to cook for all 7 hours / what’s the least amount of time they can cook? Thank you.
Sarah Olson says
It really depends on your beans, four hours most likely won’t be enough.
Anonymous says
Thank you! I cooked them in 6 hours and they came out great!
kelly says
First let me say I am not a fan of BEP but oh my goodness these were so good! I used an andouille link instead of ham because I didn’t have extra ham but this is definitely something I will make again. I did take a cup or so out and mash up and add back and they were so creamy and flavorful… I think even the non bean kids might eat this. Thanks for sharing!