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southern crockpot black eyed peas

Southern Crockpot Black Eyed Peas

A comforting and flavorful Southern Crockpot Black Eyed Peas dish, perfect for New Year's Day or any time you crave a taste of the South. This recipe is easy to make and yields tender, smoky peas.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound dried black eyed peas rinsed and sorted
  • 6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth for vegetarian
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz, undrained
  • 1/2 pound ham hock or smoked turkey leg/wing for less fat. Omit for vegetarian.
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for heat
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper or to taste
  • 1 bay leaf bay leaf
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • 6-quart or larger slow cooker

Method
 

  1. Rinse the dried black eyed peas thoroughly and pick through them to remove any small stones or debris.
    1 pound dried black eyed peas
  2. Add the rinsed black eyed peas, chicken broth, chopped onion, green bell pepper, minced garlic, diced tomatoes (undrained), ham hock (if using), smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, black pepper, and bay leaf to a 6-quart or larger slow cooker.
    1 pound dried black eyed peas, 6 cups chicken broth, 1 yellow onion, 1 green bell pepper, 2 cloves garlic, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1/2 pound ham hock, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 bay leaf bay leaf
  3. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
  4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours, or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the peas are tender. The cooking time may vary depending on your slow cooker.
  5. Once cooked, remove the ham hock (if used) and discard the bay leaf. If using a ham hock, you can remove the meat, shred it, and return it to the peas, discarding the bone and skin.
    1/2 pound ham hock, 1 bay leaf bay leaf
  6. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If the mixture is too thin, you can mash some of the peas against the side of the slow cooker to thicken it slightly.
  7. Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
    1/4 cup fresh parsley

Notes

For an extra boost of flavor, you can sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic in a little olive oil before adding them to the slow cooker. If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can add less broth initially and adjust as needed. Southern Crockpot Black Eyed Peas pairs wonderfully with cornbread, rice, or collard greens.