Description
These Southern Black Eyed Peas are a soulful, comforting dish packed with flavor, tradition, and a touch of good fortune. Slow-simmered with smoky ham hock, onions, and spices, this Southern classic delivers creamy, tender peas every time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup dried black eyed peas
- 4 cups water (or vegetable broth for extra flavor)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 smoked ham hock (or smoked turkey leg for a lighter version)
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or bacon fat for authentic flavor)
- Optional: 1 bay leaf, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper for heat
Instructions
- Rinse the black eyed peas in a colander, removing any debris or discolored peas. For best results, soak them in cold water for 4-8 hours or overnight.
- In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the drained peas, water, ham hock, salt, pepper, and paprika. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 60–90 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After about an hour, test a few peas for tenderness. They should be creamy but still hold their shape. Add more hot water if the liquid reduces too quickly.
- Once tender, remove the ham hock. Shred the meat, discarding bone and skin, then return the meat to the pot. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, replace the ham hock with 1 teaspoon liquid smoke and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Serve with rice, cornbread, and greens for a classic Southern meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 15mg