Description
Southern Black-Eyed Peas are rich, smoky, and deeply comforting. Slow-simmered with aromatics, savory smoked meat, and tender collard greens, this soul food classic is creamy, flavorful, and traditionally served for good luck and prosperity.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb dried black-eyed peas, soaked overnight and drained
- 4 slices bacon, chopped (or smoked turkey)
- 1 smoked sausage, sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups collard greens, chopped
- Salt to taste
- Hot sauce or apple cider vinegar, to finish
Instructions
- Rinse and soak black-eyed peas overnight. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot over medium heat, cook bacon until fat renders. Add smoked sausage and brown lightly.
- Add onion, celery, garlic, and jalapeño. Sauté until soft and fragrant.
- Stir in thyme, bay leaf, Creole seasoning, and black pepper.
- Add soaked peas and chicken broth. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cover and cook for 25–35 minutes until peas are tender.
- Stir in collard greens and cook an additional 15 minutes.
- Mash a small portion of peas and stir back in for a creamy texture.
- Season with salt to taste and finish with hot sauce or vinegar.
- Let rest 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm over rice.
Notes
For extra flavor, let the peas rest before serving. For a vegan version, use olive oil, vegetable broth, and smoked paprika. These peas taste even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: southern black eyed peas, soul food, hoppin john, new year food, comfort food