Nothing says Happy New Years’ better than a pot of soulful black-eyed-eyed peas & soul food collard greens! Whether you buy into the hype that eating these dishes will bring wealth & a slew of other good things, just enjoying them with family and being thankful that I’ve made it into another year is MORE THAN ENOUGH for me!
This is my grandmother’s soul food recipe (that I’ve tweaked a bit). It’s a basic recipe for a pot of good ol, southern black-eyed peas. She blesses us with these throughout the year but on New Years’ they tend to taste a bit better. Talk about flavorful!!! Forget the bland, mushy black-eyed peas you may have tasted in the past. This recipe always gets a “wow, these are some good black-eyed peas!” from newbies that have never tasted hers before. Like always my grandmother just smiles and says “well…it could be better” lol (she’s adorable!)
This recipe could easily be turned into vegetarian-friendly black-eyed peas by omitting the meat and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can even get all fancy-schmancy and throw in some chopped tomatoes, celery, and all that other jazz.
Either way, they taste fabulous! Pour on some hot sauce and give me a fat piece of cornbread on the side and I’m a happy gal!
Watch me make these black-eyed peas from start to finish!
The Recipe

Southern Black Eyed Peas
By Divas Can Cook
Ingredients
- 4-5 green onions, chopped (or 1 medium
- white onion, chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 (16 oz) bag dry black-eyed peas
- Smoked Turkey (as much as you
- desire. I used half of a fully cooked, smoked turkey leg. Just chopped the meat up into bits. You can leave it whole if you do not like meat in your black-eyed peas but like the flavor)
- 6-8 cups of chicken broth (or enough to cover the beans)
- Red pepper flakes,
- black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Sort & wash the black-eyed peas. Set aside.
- Chop onions & garlic.
- In a large pot, add in 2 Tablespoons of olive oil and saute the onions and garlic until tender.
- Add in the chopped meat, black-eye peas, & chicken broth
- Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour or until black-eyed peas are tender.
- Remove from heat and let sit covered for about 10-15 minutes.
- Season with red pepper & black pepper if desired.
You can soak them overnight or boiling them for 3 minutes then dump that water out and then start the cooking process
Per instructions you do not have to presoak the peas.
Sorry but I’m still confused. Do you soak the peas prior to cooking?
Rey.
Yes you do, prewash
Yes, overnight is best.
Yes you do or they will take longer to cook
Yes
Wonderful recipe! Thank you. Glad to have found your page!
I used this recipe in my Instapot (30 minutes/high pressure, did not presoak the black eyed peas) and it came out wonderfully! This recipe is another hit in my house!
Thank you! Gonna try this
I made it this morning. Swapped chicken broth with bouillon cubes and it came out great
I’m making these for the first time. I don’t like them but mom would make them every new near. I can’t really see her in her senior assistant facility so I thought I’d surprise her. I’m gonna try leftover ham from Christmas unless it will drastically change the taste. My husband will be my taste tester before I take her a bowl!
My mom is from the south also and she always use the ham bone from Christmas to make the Black Eyed Peas for New Year’s
yup thats what i do left over ham and bone from thanksgiving or christmas all the seasoning you need
matter of fact making peas and collards and ribs right now and fried squash and zucchini in garlic yum and corn bread
I made Black-eyed peas as per your recipe today in preparation for New Year’s late lunch. They are yummy already, but should get even better over the next couple of days. I used smoked ham for the meat because that was what was available, and also added some chopped pickled jalapenos for some extra kick. I plan to make a cast iron skillet of cornbread on New Years Day. Thanks for the geat recipe, and Happy New Year.
Can I use smoked neck bones?
Soak you Black Eyed Peas overnight or you can let them sit for about 2 hours, and I guarantee you they will be delicious.
will this make a gravy?
I first came upon your sight at Christmas time 2018. Thank you for such wonderful recipes. This black eyed pea one is excellent! However, I multi-tasked and did a double dish, one with fish and one with bovine meat. Soaked black eyed peas overnight as you suggested. Then, sauteed onions and garlic in a mixture of palm and olive oil until onion transparency, added chopped cherry tomatoes, spices turmeric, curry, garam masala, 1/2 bouillon cube, stirred, then added chopped red peppers, diced ginger, and finally added 2 cups of bouillon until all was enveloped. Afterwards, I added three chunky pieces of bovine meat. I let this simmer for about 10 ms. In separate pan, I again sautéed onions and garlic in palm oil and olive oil mixture until transparent, added same spices as before but tweeked with fish oil. Then, I borrowed a bit of the simmering bovine fluid, added to newly sautéed onions and garlics, then placed a mildly salted piece of flounder in the middle. Continuously covering the fish with the simmering liquid, I then added the pre-cooked black-eyed peas to both simmering pots. To the simmering bovine and black eyed peas pot, I added kale, cabbage, and two sliced potatoes. Wow! Both excellent! I wish I could send you photos. Thank you for your ideas. Makes me feel like I’m at home in North Carolina. Blessings!
Nice of you to post your own recipe on someone else’s sight (not).
I will be making this dish this coming weekend. Do you prepare the black eyed peas by soaking them or do you use dried black eyed peas in your recipe? I will also try to make corn bread from scratch too.
Hi, I just made these Black eyed peas and they came out great!! I made a half recipe and put it in the Instant Pot for 25 minutes and it came out excellent!
Thanks for providing a basic Black Eyed Pea recipe. I am from the South and this was a staple in both sides of our family so far back nobody remembers. Great basic recipe which encourages the younger ones to eat it w/out it being too spicy or convoluted! Growing up pepper flakes, hot sauce, etc was almost sacrilegious. If you wanted it hot add more raw onion and grains pepper, just not to the pot! Your grandmother story reminded me of mine, and she was divine. Thanks again I will bookmark this recipe and use it often.
Can I use bacon?
I think bacon would be yummy and flavorful!
I can confirm – I make this almost every year with bacon instead of turkey or ham and it’s AWESOME!
Do you use raw bacon or cooked??
I find myself coming back to your site often for recipes for food that I grew up on. You never disappoint! This recipe is another winner!
Mmmmm Baby someone call the fire department that was a hot dish this Sunday thank you thank you I am 28 years old and thanks too you and some of your dishes I’m the best cook around town thank you sistaaaa
Absolutely terrific recipe. I love that you leave it open to add other things. I used a celery stalk and a green pepper. Great flavor.
Good stuff! Being half French, I threw in some white wine which cooks down into a great flavor. I also used turkey bacon, which I cooked first. Tastes great! Happy New Year!
I have not been disappointed with any of your recipes. Thanks for sharing. It is indeed caring! These beans were a hit today at my family’s gathering. I had to scream, “Divascancook” about 80 times throughout the house. Thanks and Happy New Year!
I love the recipes!!! Happy New year!!
Best recipe ever! I’m not a big fan..but this recipe is the best! thanks
I am trying Monday but I only have smoked turkey wings idk if I can use them instead …not much meat and def dread going back to meat market
Hello Monica, how are you? I am a big fan–I have made your Lima beans with bacon and curry several times and for thanksgiving I made your blackberry cobbler and it was a big hit. Also loved your Red Velvet cake and your Mac n Cheese from a couple years ago.
I have a question. I am planning to make your southern black eyed peas for Christmas. I so far have not been able to find anyone who sells Smoked Turkey legs– I live in the western suburbs of Chicago– If I am unable to come up with a smoked turkey leg, can you recommend an alternative meat ? smoked sausage ? bacon ? I am going to make it with your cornbread in a cast iron skillet and your chocolate pecan pie …….- I look forward in hearing from you. Thanks Bill G
Thanks ,looking forward in hearing from you. BG
Phew Girl! This recipe was AHHHMAZING!! I cooked it with the Soul Food Collard Greens and Corn Bread and me and my man couldn’t get enough! I’m from Eugene, OR originally so this was my first time eating black eyed peas and collard greens. I LOVED IT! Thank you so much for your generosity to share your grandma’s recipe, the history and your southern flare. You are GORGEOUS and talented. I will certainly be back for more Diva recipe’s! Keep doin your thing! Many blessings to you and your family
I tried this recipe this past Christmas as this was my very first time making black eyed peas and it was a hit!!! Everyone loved it. I followed the directions and used every ingredient listed. I can’t wait to make them again. Great recipe and easy to make
I cannot find any smoked turkey legs. Do you think smoked ham will work as well ? Thanks Bill
All good
This is by far one of my favorite sites on the web. You are simple awesome!!! I also love the stories of your Grandma!!!! Post pics of you guys!!! That would be great!
Happy New Year, Gorgeous!
God Bless,
Terra
The best black eye peas ever
I needed some tips and found your site, thank you! I saw several others but….I felt more comfortable taking tips from someone who knows first “cook’s” hand, how it’s done. There are little tips and secrets known to only a few so again thank you!
I’m making this over the weekend! We are expecting snow! How to get this to a thicker consistency?
I put a package of brown gravy in it
use less water and when its done allow it to stand 10 mins.
To make my black eyed peas thicker i make a slurry. 1 cup of ciold water maker sure its vdry cold then add corn starch to the water stir untill dissolved. The more starch you add the thicker the less starch the thinner. Pour into brans stir an keep stirring. Sometime you have to add a lil more starch. But atleast you want have watery beans
I take some of the cooked peas out of the pot, maybe a cup or so, then mash them up and put them back in the pot! Adds thickness
You could always remove a portion of the cooked beans, puree it, and add back to the pot.
I have never liked BEPs but my husband wanted them for New Year’s dinner. This recipe was right on time. Not only did he love them, but I did as well. I quick soaked them following the package directions prior to following your recipe. Simply delicious. Pored the beans with sweet corn bread and cabbage for a great meal. Txs!
Really a good recipe. I did use a ham hock as Brow we prefer ham to turkey. Corn beef cabbage and blackeyed peas, is starting our New Year off right.
I just want to know if I can use salt pork and if I use 2 16 ounce bags of beans do I double up my ingredients?
Yes you can use salt pork, ham hocks or neck bones.
Turned out great!
I didn’t see the part where you soak the beans overnight. Does this mean you cook them right out of the package and don’t soak your dried beans, or did you just assume we’ve already done that step? I want to make sure I do this right.
Hi. IMHO I do not recommend soaking black-eyed peas because they are not very dense like pintos or other long cooking beans. Usually soaking peas overnight leaves one with a pot of mush or busted peas in the end. Blackeyes cook rather fast to begin. I treat them like lentils… skip the soaking and get straight to cooking.
This is my experience also. Whenever I’ve I soaked they become mushy & burst open #disappointing So just clean rinse and cook. Great recipe, I’m making this today.
I made this for my family and the absolutely loved it…..Thanks Diva!
OMG!! I’ve never really liked black eyed peas before, but we had our annual New Year’s dinner & it was part of the menu. I saw your recipe & volunteered to make them. Diva you are heaven sent. They were the bomb. Everyone was asking who made them & I bragged my butt off ,thanks to you.
Thank you for this GREAT recipe! I took your advice and made it vegetarian and added celery and tomatoes! Amazing!
So easy and so good! Made them for New Years Day and yummy. I tried once before on my own and they were a watery mess.
Looking forward to more recipes,
Yvette
I love your recipes! Every time I reference a recipe from your site, it turns out to be the hit of the party. “THANKS” from one diva to another!
Can you use smoked neck bones instead of turkey legs?
Yes neck bones will work
New staple recipe for black eyed peas!!! This lasted for two whole days in my home.
Lawd Have Mercy!!! These R Gooood!! Thanks a million Diva, You Rock!!
I made these a few months ago, for my dad! I myself, don’t eat them! My thoughts going in…”I’m going to put my foot into these peas”!! I added okra, that I sautéed with some of the onion & garlic!! When finished, the smell & how I presented it…..”I put both feet in these here peas”!! I had my 4yr old granddaughter call him! He said the peas were “PERFECT”!! He ate the whole pot!! Mo, thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes! 10 stars…hands down!!
where’s the red beans n rice??? 😀
Making this now, but I’m putting it in the crock pot!
Thanks for this video.. Just was wondering if you soaked the peas overnight prior to cooking them or just drop them in as is?
HEY MONIQUE, CAN YOU DO A VID ON PINTO BEANS?? I LOVE PINTO BEANS BUT DONT QUITE KNOW HOW TO MAKE THEM. THANKS!
Do you have an APP on Android or Iphones? If not I hope you will soon.Your recipes are great!
Seeing your black eyed pea recipe reminds me of being a kid – haven’t had them since. I will definitely being enjoying this one time and agian. Thanks.
I came across this as I was searching for a Black Eye Pea recipe to try for my family. I am anxious to see as they turn out and will definitily post an update! thank you
MO MO MO… i love u SO!!! I wanted to thank you for keeping it real and posting recipes that are ABSOLUTELY Delicious! You are my idol…… Blessings to you and your family.. EVERYTHING I have made is delicious… the GREENS ARE A BIG HIT IN MY HOME.. Keep up the good work!
I’m a New England girl married to a New Orleans boy, so I’ve had to learn to cook black eyed peas. I’ve tried lots of recipes over the years, but yours is THE BEST! And so simple! Thank you for sharing this great recipe!
Hey Diva. Do you have to soak these peas before you cook them?
mmm.. love it! I’m using your recipe today, on New Year’s Day! Thanks for helping a Southern girl bring a little bit of Georgia to Indiana! 🙂
Cheers.
Hi. First of all, I love your site and the eBook that I purchased oline. But, I clicked on download and followed the instructions to print some of your recipes that weren’t in the eBook, but the recipe still didn’t pull up for me. How can I get the recipe to pull? Thanks!!
omg, my house smells so good with these cooking, i cant wait to eat them. I smancied them up with diced tomato. and added smoked ham
WOW, GLAD I WATCHED THIS. I JUST BOUGHT MY BLACK EYED PEAS YESTERDAY AND I AM GOING TO TRY THIS. THANKS.
Love the site….found you through Homemade Mothering…I loved your fried chicken, am drooling over your mac/n/cheese and am afraid to try the Samoas recipe…my all time favorite cookie which will make me go from ) ( to ( ) overnight as nobody else in my house likes coconut…..Your site will be my guilty pleasure, I can't wait to try the turkey meatloaf…..you're awesome!
Monique,
Thought you should start the New Year with a Blog Award. Go here to
grab your honor–
http://proactiveblackparenting.blogspot.com/2009/12/15-fabulous-blogs-share-love-and-award.html.
I am actually using your black eye pea recipe today!Thanks for sharing it and everything else on your yummy site!
Happy New Year!
Much love!
ok thanks!
I use regular
Hi I love your blog! I just want to know if you use low sodium or do you just buy the reg chicken broth. THKS!
I will be soaking my beans tomorrow! This recipe sounds delicious!!!
HI Genny!!! Thanks girl!!
Following from MBC!
Looks like you have some great recipes here. 🙂