Crock Pot Black Eyed Peas are easy from a slow cooker! It's a side dish tradition to have on New Year's Day, too. You'll have a lucky day for every bean you eat. Really!
I have made a vegan version and it has all the flavors of the original. Very simple to make especially when it is made in a slow cooker.
The leftovers are as good as they are on the first day. That helps if you are serving these on a holiday and your family likes to eat early. That was our family's tradition.
Eat black eyed peas New Year's Day while watching football. Fun!
Take a peek at all of the different styles of photos that I have for these black-eyed peas. You can tell we really like them as I've taken quite a few photos of at different serving times.
Even different houses. I know you can't tell that some of the photos are in different houses but I don't have that buffet under the green cloth anymore.
Kind of wish I did but then it would have to be outside since we downsized by 1000 sq. ft.
Table of Contents
Are Black Eyed Peas Beans?
- They are in the cowpea family which are both legumes and beans. Is that strange or what?
- The word peas is in their title but they are actually called beans.
- No matter what they're called they are a magical bean that is not like any other and is extremely delicious.
From the first of the year on through the months Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas is a delicious recipe that adds a nice change to the usual.
Bonus: Over the years I've discovered a sauce that you can dollop on black-eyed peas and it almost makes it another meal.
It is Roasted Red Pepper Sauce for Beans. Not made from beans but made FOR beans. Here's a picture and it is such a delicious condiment.
I just needed to tell you about it so you don't miss out on this in your lifetime. The sauce is made with roasted red bell peppers and it is great on bean burgers too.
I'd love to give you some special hints and tips for making these black-eyed peas from the slow cooker. but they are just too easy.
I do dice the onions very small so that the small beans aren't overpowered by a large chunk of onion.
Do you have a programmable crockpot yet? I don't but this it would make life a whole lot easier if you could program it an hour or more after you've left the house.
Some things, especially desserts, don't need more than a very few hours.
Ingredients for Crock Pot Black Eyed Peas
- Dried black-eyed peas - get plumped up to double their size when soaked overnight.
- Water and vegetable broth - adds flavor to the broth.
- Onion - always adds delicious tastes.
- Garlic - has a strong flavor and just a little is used for flavor enhancement.
- Bay leaf - is used whole and then removed for seasoning.
- Hot sauce - is used in a very small amount for a little depth.
- Ground sage - is amazing for the flavor that it adds.
- Salt and pepper - is the best seasoning combination out there.
- Paprika - also adds some kick.
- Dried thyme - adds some subtle seasoning.
- Liquid smoke - is strong so don't add more than the recipe calls for. It adds an earthy flavor.
The instructions are so simple that I don't need to go into more detail here on how to cook black eyed peas. The complete and easy directions are in the recipe card.
Below is a photo that doesn't really show the preparation of black-eyed peas. It shows their beauty after draining. Also, you can probably tell I am using a vintage colander.
It was my mother's and I grew up watching mother use it - a lot. It is mine now and I cherish it. Even though it has a dent on its underside.
So pull out your slow cooker, black-eyed peas, a few veggies, and spices. You'll have comfort food for the whole family in no time.
Can You Freeze Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas?
Yes, perfectly!
- IF FREEZING:
- Let cool to room temperature.
Package in rigid sided containers as defined in my article How to Prepare Food for the Freezer - TO PREPARE AFTER FREEZING:
- Remove from the freezer and put in the refrigerator overnight because it is a pretty solid mass and will take longer to defrost.
- THE NIGHT OF SERVING:
- Put all in a large saucepan and heat through. You could also heat in the microwave.
📋 Recipe
Crock Pot Black Eyed Peas
Ingredients
- 1 pound bag dried black-eyed peas
- About 2 cups water and 2 cups vegetable broth.
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, finely diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce such as Sriracha
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
- ⅛ teaspoon liquid smoke
Instructions
The night before cooking:
- Put the black-eyed peas in a large bowl and cover with water to clean. Swish your hand around in the water and pick out any beans that don't look good or that float.
- Drain the beans. Put the beans in a very large pot or bowl. Cover with fresh water by about 4 inches above the beans.
- Let soak on the counter overnight. They will plump up.
The morning of cooking:
- Drain the presoaked black eyed peas and put them in the slow cooker.
- Add the onion, garlic and spices to the crockpot. Add 2 cups of vegetable broth. Now add enough water to just cover the beans. You may also use more broth instead.
- Turn on low for about 6 to 8 hours.
- They can also be cooked on high for 3 to 4 hours. Give a bean a pinch at the end of cooking to make sure they are the softness that you like. Or ... have a spoonful. HA! Ready to serve.
Notes
Package in rigid sided containers as defined in my article How to Prepare Food for the Freezer
Karielyn
I missed making my black eye peas yesterday because the last time I made them in the crock pot, they didn't come out right. I already had them soaked and ready to go and everything! I just saw your recipe and it has inspired me to try again! lol So I'm heading into the kitchen now to try your recipe and hope I have better luck because I LOVE black eye peas and they are a great meal to freeze. Do you ever put jalapenos in yours? Thanks for the recipe!
Ginny McMeans
So glad you are giving black eyed peas a try again. They will work out perfectly - just pinch them at the end of the cooking time and make sure they are the tenderness that you like. They can cook longer if you prefer. I happened to eat them again last night and I dunked ciabatta in the juices. Yum! I have never tried jalapenos but I think I will next time. Thanks for the idea!
Rox
Hi,
I was just wondering what size your slow cooker is? Mine is only 3.5l. Am I going to need to half the recipe?
Thanks,
Rox
Ginny McMeans
Hi, I am so sorry but I do not know what 3.5l translates to. It will work in the smallish size slow cooker - the one that will hold 8 cups of water. It will be fine in larger crock-pots too.
Tamara
Your pic of the peas with the salsa....you are the first one I've seen in my 58 years that did this besides us. About 70 years ago my Nana went to a friend's house and they served theirs with homemade salsa and she loved it so much that that is how my mom and all our family and extended family (everyone gathered around her table for meals) grew up eating it along with a big piece of corn bread. She did a simple salsa, nice and chunky: peeled chopped fresh tomatoes, chopped green chiles, chopped onion, salt, pepper, a little cider vinegar or lemon to up the tartness factor. Sometimes I throw in some minced cilantro or parsley and jalapeno. Thanks for the memories 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Ohhh, that is so great. It really is delicious like that and I am glad you found the photo. Your recipe sounds so good too.
GiGi Eats
BLACKEYED PEAS ARE THE BEST!!!!! I need my spoonful on NYE & NYD for sure.. I hope NZ has them!
Ginny McMeans
I hope so too Gigi! I will be eating them!!! 🙂
Kriss
Hi, do you cook them with the salt? If so does it cause the bean to not soften?
Thank you!
Ginny McMeans
Yes! Add all of the seasoning and spices. It comes out perfect. I have made it this way for years. 🙂
Kriss
Wonderful! Thank you so much for your reply and the recipe! I can't wait to make it tomorrow. 🙂
Fareeha
This really looks super amazing and delicious.loving it totally
Ginny McMeans
Fantastic Fareeha!
Sandra
Hi. Looking for your Caribbean Bean Sauce recipe to serve with these black eye peas, as suggested. Is the recipe on your site? I can't find it. Thanks!
Ginny McMeans
Sorry about that Sandra. I am making a link on the lack eyed peas post right now and here is the link also.
Becky Striepe
Ooh I'd love to make these for New Year's Day! They look so flavorful, Ginny.
Ginny McMeans
Thanks Becky! We'll be having the, 🙂
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition
I have yet to make black eyed peas for new years - could be why I'm not so lucky!
These look delicious! Excited to try them and maybe get a bit more luck in 2017!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
I have a bag of lucky 2017 black eyed peas from Rancho Gordo ready to go!
Ginny McMeans
hahaha! That's it Mary Ellen!
Ginny McMeans
Get your luck on Amy! Hahaha! You'll love them too 🙂
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen
I alway have black-eyed peas on New Year's Day. I love how easy you've made them!
Ginny McMeans
Love it Dianne! Thanks so much too! The slow cooker really make it easy 🙂
Cadry
This looks delicious! If each bean is an added lucky day, we vegans are going to be so lucky! 😀
Ginny McMeans
Hahaha Cadry! Thank you so much!
Ashley
Hi Ginny,
I cook beans all of the time but you may have just motivated me to make these black-eyed peas! Is there any problem with cooking them with the veggie broth, due to the salt? Sometimes my beans don't get soft if I cook with any salt. Sounds relish... Thank you.
Ginny McMeans
Fantastic Ashley. Go for it! They are a thin skinned legume so they should cook up with no problem.
Sarah
Beans are our New Years tradition too! Yours look delicious!
Ginny McMeans
So fun! Thanks Sarah!
Mel |avirtualvegan.com
I had no idea that black eyes peas were lucky on New Years Day. Perhaps I need to eat a couple bowl fulls this year!
Ginny McMeans
You should Mel 🙂 It's a fun and delicious tradition anyway.
Rie
My Mom had the same colander!!!
Happy Holidays.
Ginny McMeans
Love! Happy Holidays to you too 🙂
Kim
I've made this before and it was delicious. Thank you!
I'm trying to click on the link to the Caribbean Bean Sauce, but it's not working. Is there another link for that? It was super tasty.
Ginny McMeans
Oh, my gosh, it's not coming up. I am working on it with updated photos and there seems to be a glitch. I'm still at it. So sorry and it will be fixed asap.
Ginny McMeans
It's fixed Kim!
Karen Conant
I have made this recipe three times and every time I am so happy with the results. Black Eyed Peas are great and so filling. Thank you for another excellent recipe.
Ginny McMeans
You are so welcome Karen! So glad you are making it over and over again!
Marshs
I use my grandmother's aluminum colander. Like yours, it sparks lovely, warm memories and it's dented, too.Happy New Year 2019!
Poteet
Thank you Ginny for your delicious and easy black eyed peas recipe. Along with the Caribbean bean sauce and a side of vegan cornbread it was the perfect start for the New Year. My whole family loved it!
Ginny McMeans
That is just wonderful Poteet! I'm so glad you also made the Caribbean sauce for the black-eyed peas. The whole meal sounds delicious. Thank you for letting us know!
Kaye
Looks great! What would you serve with this dish? Any recommendations?
Ginny McMeans
Thanks Kaye! Yes, I do. Traditionally they are served with collard greens and cornbread. Any kind of cornbread or cornbread muffins would be great with black-eyed peas. Cooked or wilted spinach would be a good side dish too. Roasted sweet potatoes would be delicious and you could roast some tofu squares at the same time. Pumpkin bread. A fresh fruit salad would be great. Bite-size pieces of cantaloupe, melon, strawberries, grapes, mandarin orange. Just toss and serve, nothing added - just fruit. Have fun!
Kim
I love the red sauce but I don’t see the link to the recipe anymore. Could you post it?
Ligia Lugo
Is this the red sauce you're looking for https://veganinthefreezer.com/rosy-red-sauce-dip/ ?