Black-eyed peas hold a special place in Southern cuisine. You will find this dish cooked across the South every year on New Year’s Day, typically paired with some kind of green. Eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is supposed to bring you luck in the new year, while greens bring you money. It may not be New Year’s, but today I’m sharing my Southern-style black-eyed peas recipe.
Ingredients:
- Dry black-eyed peas
- 1 Yellow Onion
- 1 Green Bell Pepper
- 2-3 Strips of Bacon
- Garlic Powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Prep for Southern Style Black Eyed Peas
This Southern recipe calls for dry peas, but it can be replicated with canned peas if you are pressed for time. Simply skip the peas prep, as canned peas are ready to go. For dry peas, you will need to begin prep at least a few hours in advance, as the peas have to soak in water. The simplest solution is to soak them overnight, as you can set them and forget them.
Next up we need to do some dicing. The size of the vegetables really comes down to personal taste. I don’t like big chunks, but I want to know they are there, so I go with a medium dice. You can always go with a pure mince if you want to reduce the vegetable’s texture in your dish. If you are one of those who absolutely loathes onions in your food but want the flavor, you can substitute a teaspoon or so of onion powder.
Once the vegetables are cut and set aside, you can move on to dicing the bacon. This is where my recipe differs from the more traditional peas. I like chopped-up bacon in my peas in place of whole slices or even something like ham hocks. This way, you get little bits of bacon in each bit to go with the amazing flavor.
Looking for more Southern recipes? Check out my simple Southern fried potatoes!
Lastly, you need to measure out about a teaspoon of garlic powder and get your salt and pepper ready for action. The amount of garlic will largely depend on how much you are cooking. A teaspoon will work for a 1-pound bag, but if you go bigger just adjust from there with about a teaspoon per pound.
How To Make Southern Black-Eyed Peas
Black-eyed peas are a dish where more work is done in the prep than in the actual cooking. They will take a bit of time, but the process is super easy. Start by getting a pot big enough to handle the portion you are making. Put it on the stove with medium-high heat.
Once the pot is hot, throw in the diced bacon. You need to render the fat before adding your veggies. Once that lovely bacon grease has shown itself, toss in the peppers and onions. Add a dash of salt and pepper and saute them for a couple of minutes.
When the peppers and onions have softened, go ahead and add the peas. Cover them with water. You want to make sure every last pea is covered. Add your garlic powder, salt, and pepper. As soon as the peas come to a light simmer, lower the heat to medium-low. The peas will need to simmer for 30 minutes to an hour depending on quantity.
Keep an eye on the peas at least once every ten minutes. You’ll want to stir them to make sure they don’t stick to the bottom of the pot. If you are making a large quantity, you may need to add water. If you do, don’t forget to reseason them! The last thing you want is bland peas.
After the allotted time has passed, give them a taste test. Once they are tender, they are done! Check for seasoning, add additional salt and pepper if necessary. I hope you enjoy this Southern-style black-eyed peas recipe!
What Do You Serve With Black Eyed Peas?
These peas are an amazing Southern Sunday dinner side! They pair excellently with greens, whether it be turnips, collards, or even cabbage. My personal favorite is turnips. Rice is another good side option, as it can sop up that delicious juice. Looking to cook an amazing Sunday dinner? Check out my Ultimate Southern Sunday dinner ideas guide.
Entrees that go well with black-eyed peas include fried chicken, pork chops, chicken and rice, you name it. Ham is a classic main dish to pair with them. Peas are an excellent addition to Thanksgiving dinner as well.
One companion side I want to specifically point out is cornbread. Many Southerners love dipping their cornbread into the juice of their sides, and black-eyed peas are no different. For that reason, cornbread goes amazingly well with black-eyed peas.
