I’ve been making this black-eyed peas recipe for years, and it’s always a favorite. This Southern dish is warm and comforting. It has a smoky, spicy flavor with a nice touch of ham hock for extra richness. Black eye peas stew is a comforting and healthy dish. It’s a tradition in the South, usually served on New Year’s Day to bring good luck!
For many people, black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day are all about good luck, but honestly, this heartwarming dish is great any time of year! It’s a Southern classic that always feels like home. I like black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day, but I like to get a head start by cooking them the night before. That way, I can save part of the recipe to make a tasty dip called "Texas Caviar or Cowboy Caviar" to enjoy with tortilla chips.
I’ve been making this black-eyed peas dish for a long time, and it’s one of my favorites. The ham hocks add a smoky, rustic flavor that makes the whole house smell amazing as it simmers. Whether it’s for good luck or just for comfort, this recipe never disappoints!
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⭐Why You'll Love This Black Eyed Peas
- Easy to Make: Packed with flavor but super simple, this recipe is perfect for beginners with basic ingredients and steps.
- Adjust the Spice: Customize the heat to your taste, bold and spicy or nice and mild.
- Great for Meal Prep: It’s even tastier the next day, so it’s perfect for leftovers or prepping ahead.
- Crowd Favorite: Hearty enough for meat lovers but easy to tweak for vegetarians, making it a hit for any gathering!
🧾Black Eyed Peas Ingredients
Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this black-eyed peas recipe:
- Black-Eyed Peas: I love using dried black-eyed peas, they’re the star of the dish! They’re hearty, creamy, and full of protein, fiber, and nutrients.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I use olive oil to sauté the aromatics. It adds a rich, subtle flavor and helps bring out the best in the onions, garlic, and spices.
- Onion, Garlic, Jalapeño & Tomatoes: These add so much flavor! Onion brings a sweet, savory base, while garlic deepens the savory notes. The jalapeño adds a little heat and brightness (it’s optional if you want a milder flavor), and tomatoes balance everything with their sweet, tangy acidity.
- Smoked Ham Hock: This is key for that smoky, meaty flavor. It adds richness to the broth and tender bits of meat to the dish. You can swap the pork for smoked turkey wings or legs. They’re less fatty, so they’ll help lighten up the dish a bit.
- Chicken Broth: I use chicken broth to cook the peas. It gives the dish a savory, rich base that really ties everything together.
- Seasonings and Spices: I add a mix of salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, thyme, cayenne, and bay leaves. These spices bring out the best in the dish—cumin adds warmth, thyme gives a nice earthy note, and cayenne gives it a little kick. Bay leaves bring a subtle herbal depth as it simmers.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Black Eyed Peas
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Soak black-eyed peas in water for 2 hours or overnight.
2. Sauté the chopped onion and jalapeño for 4-5 minutes until the onion is soft, translucent, and lightly browned.
3. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until it smells good.
4. Stir in the pureed tomatoes, salt, spices, and bay leaves. Cook for 3-4 minutes to blend the flavors.
5. Add the chicken broth, boil the mixture, then place the smoked ham hock in the pot, cover it, lower the heat, and simmer for 1 hour.
6. Remove the smoked ham hock from the pot, chop the meat, and discard the bones and skin.
7. Drain the peas, then add the black-eyed peas and chopped smoked ham hock to the pot. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for about an hour until tender.
8. Stir occasionally and taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve the black-eyed peas with cornbread, rice, or collard greens.
📖Variations
- Vegetarian-Friendly: Skip the ham hocks and go for smoky flavors with smoked paprika, liquid smoke, or a touch of chipotle powder. Swap chicken broth for veggie broth and toss in diced carrots, celery, and bell peppers for extra texture and taste.
- Hoppin’ John: Mix your cooked peas with rice for a Southern classic. Add chopped green onions and crispy bacon (or keep it vegetarian!) and pair with collard greens or kale for a full meal.
- Bacon & Sausage Spin: For a hearty version, replace the ham hocks with crispy bacon and smoked sausage. Brown the sausage first to layer in even more flavor.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Soak for Success: Soak the peas overnight or for at least 2 hours to cut cooking time and ensure they cook evenly. Don’t forget to rinse them well afterward.
Pick Quality Smoked Meat: Smoked ham hocks bring rich, smoky flavor. For a lighter twist, swap with smoked turkey legs or bacon.
Cook to Perfection: Aim for tender peas that hold their shape, don’t let them get mushy.
Low and Slow: Simmer on low heat for a deep, flavorful dish without overcooking.
Adjust the Spice: Keep it mild for guests, with hot sauce on the side. Love spice? Add extra cayenne or jalapeños!
Better the Next Day: These peas taste even more amazing after resting overnight. Make ahead for the best flavor.
Store Smart: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days, or freeze them to enjoy later.
🍛More Legumes Recipes to Try!
If you're loving this black-eyed peas recipe, you'll also adore these tasty legume recipes:
- Chickpea Stew with Carrot and Spinach
- Hummus
- Spanish Lentil Soup
- Mediterranean Lentil Salad
- Beans with Sausage
- Clam and Bean Soup (Alubias Blancas con Almejas)
🍛More Dinner Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dinner recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Black Eyed Peas Recipe
Ingredients
- 450 g Dried Black-Eyed Peas
- 1 Onion
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 4 Garlic Cloves
- 1 Jalapeno - Optional
- 2 Tomatoes
- 500 g Smoked Ham Hock
- 1500 ml Chicken Broth
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- ¼ tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 2 Bay Leaves
Instructions
- Soak black-eyed peas in a bowl of water for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, and jalapeño (if using). Sauté for about 4-5 minutes until the onion is translucent, softened, and slightly caramelized.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the pureed tomatoes, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, thyme, cayenne pepper, and bay leaves. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, letting the flavors meld.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Nestle the smoked ham hock into the pot. Cover, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for 1 hour.
- Remove the smoked ham hock from the pot and chop the meat from the hocks discarding the bones and skin.
- Drain peas, add the soaked black-eyed peas to the pot and the chopped smoked ham hock. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer for about 1 hour, or until the peas are tender.
- Stir occasionally, checking the liquid level. If it gets too low, add more chicken broth or water as needed.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
- Serve the black-eyed peas warm with cornbread, rice, or collard greens for a classic Southern meal.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
John says
I've been looking for a good black-eyed pea recipe for ages, and this one is a winner! It was so easy to make and the flavor was incredible.