Hearty Southern Crockpot Black Eyed Peas Recipe for Comfort

Hearty and comforting, these black eyed peas simmered in a crockpot bring soul-warming Southern tradition right to your dinner table.

Slow cooking unleashes deep, rich flavors that dance with smoky undertones and subtle spices.

Tender legumes nestle perfectly with savory ham or bacon, creating a protein-packed meal that satisfies from the first bite.

Each spoonful carries memories of grandmother’s kitchen and generations of home cooking.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this simple yet remarkable dish that stretches ingredients and fills hungry bellies.

Packed with nutrients and incredible taste, this recipe transforms humble beans into a memorable meal everyone will devour.

Dive into this classic comfort food that promises warmth and deliciousness in every single serving.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 5

Flavor-Packed Ingredients In Crockpot Black Eyed Peas

• Black-Eyed Peas: Hearty legumes packed with protein and fiber, choose fresh and unblemished for best texture.
• Vegetable Broth: Adds rich depth of flavor and helps create a smooth, savory cooking liquid.
• Water: Ensures proper moisture and helps beans cook evenly and tenderly.

• Onion, Garlic, Bell Pepper: Classic flavor trio that builds a robust and warming base for the dish, select crisp and vibrant vegetables for maximum taste.
• Thyme: Earthy herb that brings subtle woodsy notes and complements the beans' natural flavor.
• Bay Leaf: Provides a gentle, nuanced background flavor that enhances the overall dish complexity.

• Ham: Adds smoky, salty richness and provides a traditional Southern touch to the recipe.
• Black Pepper, Smoked Paprika, Cayenne Pepper: Spice blend that creates layers of warmth and gentle heat.
• Hot Sauce: Optional finishing touch for those who love an extra kick of spiciness.
• Salt: Crucial for bringing out and balancing all the dish's intricate flavors.

Slow Cooker Tools For Crockpot Black Eyed Peas

• Crockpot: Essential for slow-cooking the black-eyed peas to tender perfection.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, and bell pepper.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp and reliable for precise vegetable preparation.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient portioning.
• Colander: Perfect for rinsing and draining the soaked black-eyed peas.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring ingredients in the crockpot.
• Serving Spoon: Helps dish out the hearty black-eyed peas.

How To Cook Crockpot Black Eyed Peas With Ease

• Soaking Preparation

Kickstart your culinary journey by giving those beautiful black-eyed peas a luxurious bath overnight. This helps soften them and reduces cooking time while ensuring a creamy, delightful texture.

• Flavor Foundation

Toss all ingredients into your trusty slow cooker. The magic happens when ham, aromatic herbs, and hearty vegetables mingle together, creating a symphony of Southern flavors that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Slow and Steady Cooking

Let your crockpot work its enchantment on low heat for several hours. The gentle warmth transforms simple ingredients into a rich, comforting dish that speaks to traditional Southern cooking.

• Final Touches

Near the end of cooking, give your legumes a taste test. Sprinkle in some extra seasoning to make the flavors pop. A dash of hot sauce can add that perfect zingy kick.

• Serving Celebration

Scoop this delectable mixture into bowls, letting the inviting aroma fill your kitchen. Pair with fluffy rice or golden cornbread for a meal that feels like a warm hug from grandma’s kitchen.

Tips To Make Crockpot Black Eyed Peas Taste Better

• Slow Cooker Mastery: Unlock the full potential of your black-eyed peas with these game-changing tips and delicious variations.
• No-Soak Shortcut: Skip the overnight soaking by using fresh black-eyed peas or adding an extra hour to the cooking time. This trick saves time without compromising flavor or texture.
• Vegetarian Twist: Replace ham with smoked tofu or a mix of roasted vegetables like mushrooms and eggplant. Add liquid smoke for that deep, smoky flavor that keeps the dish rich and satisfying.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust heat by playing with cayenne and hot sauce quantities. Start mild and gradually increase spiciness to match your personal preference. Remember, you can always add more heat, but can't take it away.
• Meal Prep Magic: These black-eyed peas freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Portion into containers for quick, nutritious meals that taste even better after the flavors have melded together overnight.
• Southern Serving Suggestions: Elevate your dish by topping with crispy bacon bits, fresh chopped green onions, or a dollop of tangy sour cream. Each addition brings a new layer of deliciousness to this classic southern comfort food.

Serving Crockpot Black Eyed Peas With Soul

• Southern Comfort Bowl: Ladle the tender black-eyed peas over creamy white rice, topped with a sprinkle of chopped green onions for a hearty, satisfying meal that brings southern hospitality to your table.
• Protein Power Plate: Pair the black-eyed peas with grilled chicken or crispy bacon bits to create a protein-packed lunch that keeps you full and energized throughout the day.
• Cornbread Companion: Serve alongside warm, buttery cornbread slices to soak up the delicious broth, creating a classic combination that celebrates traditional southern cooking and comfort food flavors.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro right before serving to add a bright, fresh note that cuts through the rich, smoky flavors of the black-eyed peas.

How To Store Crockpot Black Eyed Peas Like A Pro

• Refrigerator Refresh: Store leftover black-eyed peas in airtight containers for up to 5 days. Cool completely before sealing to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Freezer Friendly: Package meals in freezer-safe containers, leaving slight space for expansion. Frozen black-eyed peas remain delicious for 3 months when properly sealed.
• Portion Control Trick: Divide large batches into individual serving sizes for quick weekday lunches or spontaneous meal prep.
• Reheating Magic: Gently warm refrigerated or thawed black-eyed peas in microwave or stovetop, adding splash of broth to restore moisture and prevent drying.

Hearty Crockpot Black Eyed Peas Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty black eyed peas slow-cooked with smoky ham hock create a soul-warming Southern classic. Rich, flavorful beans meld perfectly with aromatic herbs, promising a comforting meal you’ll savor to the last bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (0.45 kg) dried black-eyed peas (soaked overnight or quick-soaked)
• 1 cup diced smoked ham (or a ham hock)
• 4 cups (946 ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 cups (473 ml) water
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• ¼ tsp thyme (dried or fresh)
• ½ tsp hot sauce (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Sort and rinse black-eyed peas under cool running water, removing any debris or damaged legumes.
2. Layering: Transfer cleaned peas to crockpot, then strategically arrange diced onions, bell peppers, minced garlic, and chopped ham to create a flavor-rich foundation.
3. Seasoning: Generously sprinkle dried thyme, black pepper, smoked paprika, and cayenne across the mixture, complementing the smoky meat with a complex spice profile.
4. Liquid Infusion: Gently pour broth and water over assembled ingredients, nestling a bay leaf at the center to impart subtle herbal undertones.
5. Slow Cooking: Cover crockpot and set to low temperature, allowing ingredients to simmer and meld together gradually over 7-9 hours, occasionally monitoring liquid levels and adding broth if needed.
6. Finishing Touches: Thirty minutes before serving, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and optional hot sauce, then remove bay leaf and serve the tender, aromatic black-eyed peas alongside steamed rice or warm cornbread.

Notes

• Prep Peas Precisely: Carefully sort and rinse beans to remove stones, dirt, or damaged legumes, ensuring a clean and safe base for your dish.
• Layer Flavors Strategically: Dice vegetables uniformly and mince garlic finely to distribute taste evenly and create a more complex flavor profile throughout the dish.
• Manage Moisture Masterfully: Monitor liquid levels during slow cooking, adding extra broth if needed to prevent drying out and maintain perfect bean texture.
• Season Sensibly: Taste and adjust seasonings near the end of cooking, allowing flexibility to enhance salt, spice, and overall flavor just before serving.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 4 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg