These Southern Soul Food Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas are made using your pressure cooker and perfect for Sunday dinners and the New Year's holiday. This no soak recipe uses dried beans and seasoned with smoked turkey.
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Whats The Tea and Why You'll Love These Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
- Flavor that hits fast: The Instant Pot does what the stovetop does, just without babysitting or praying they soften before the cornbread is done.
- Tender, creamy, and not mushy: They hold their shape, soak up seasoning, and don’t turn into bean paste.
- Smoky + savory payoff: Add smoked turkey, bacon, or ham hocks and let the pressure cook make it taste like it simmered all afternoon.
- New Year’s tradition in under an hour: No soaking and no cooking anxiety, just vibes and prosperity.
Ingredients Needed for Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
- Olive Oil
- Onions
- Garlic
- Broth
- Black Eyed Peas (Dried)
- Smoked Turkey Leg
- Creole Seasoning and Bay Leaf
For all of my life my family has eaten black eyed peas to bring in the New Year. We would also eat them for typical family dinners alongside a nice pot of collard greens. A pound of peas costs about $1. Making the entire meal is less than $10 in cost. It's very economical and we ate this dish quite a bit!
The Southern Tradition for New Years surrounds the belief of luck and prosperity. The tradition states this dish should be your first meal of the year.
And though they are called peas, they are actually beans. Like most beans, these are very nutritious and loaded with fiber and protein.
How to Make Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Black Eyed Peas
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Saute onions and garlic in the Instant Pot on the saute function.
- Add in rinsed black eyed peas, broth, a turkey leg, Creole Seasoning, and a bay leaf.
- Pressure Cook.
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Southern Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas Recipe
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped white onion
- 3 garlic cloves
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 pound bag dried black eyed peas rinsed
- 1 smoked turkey leg About 1 pound to 1 ½ pounds, fully cooked, You can find turkey legs and wings at most grocers. See notes for substitutions.
- 1 teaspoon Creole Seasoning
- bay leaf
Instructions
- Place the Instant Pot on the saute function and add the olive oil.
- When hot add the onions and garlic. Saute until translucent and fragrant.
- Add in the chicken broth, black eyed peas, smoked turkey leg, Creole seasoning, and bay leaf. Stir.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal. Cook for 30 minutes Manual > High Pressure.
- When the pot indicates it has finished, allow steam to release naturally for 10 minutes.
- Open up the pot and remove the bay leaf and smoked turkey leg. If you like meat in your black eyed peas, use 2 forks and shred the turkey and return it to the pot. Taste repeatedly and add salt and pepper to taste if needed.
- Serve the black eyed peas using a slotted spoon.
Video
Notes
- Rinse the black eyes peas first to remove any surface dirt.
- I find smoked turkey in the meat section of the grocery store. Ask around if you can't find it or use a substitute noted below.
- You can use ham hocks, salt pork, country ham, or even bacon to season the greens. If you are planning to use bacon I recommend that you cook the bacon in the Instant Pot on the Saute' function, and omit the olive oil used in this recipe. Cook the onions in the bacon fat.
- You can substitute Creole Seasoning for ¼ teaspoon of paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, and dried basil.
- You can double the ingredients in the recipe. The cook time will remain the same.
- To make these without an Instant Pot, soak the beans overnight. Add all of the ingredients to a large pot or Dutch oven. Cover and simmer on low for 3-4 hours until soft.
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Pressure Cooker Black Eyed Peas Recipe Variations
- Vegetarian: Use veggie broth, olive oil, and extra aromatics. A splash of soy sauce or liquid aminos adds umami so it doesn’t taste flat.
- Spicy: Add jalapeños, red pepper flakes, hot sauce, smoked paprika, or chopped cayenne peppers if you’re committed.
- Creamier Texture: Lightly mash a ladle of peas and stir it back in after cooking to thicken without adding cream.
- Greens Add-In: Stir in chopped collard greens, mustard greens, or kale at the end and let them wilt into the broth.
What to Serve With Black Eyed Peas
You can’t go wrong with classic Southern sides like Southern Style Soul Food Baked Mac and Cheese, Southern Homemade Cornbread, and Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes. For main dishes, pair with Southern Fried Chicken or Fried Pork Chops.
How to Reheat Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
- Stovetop (best texture): Add a splash of broth or water and warm over medium heat until they loosen up and get silky again.
- Microwave (fast + fine): Cover and heat in 30–45 second bursts, stirring between rounds so the heat distributes and things don’t dry out.
- Instant Pot (keep warm mode): If you’re reheating the whole pot for a crowd, add a bit of liquid, set to Keep Warm, and let them come back up gently.
- Avoid high heat: It can cause the peas to split and go mushy. We’re reheating, not boiling.
If you love rice and peas, pair this with Instant Pot Brown Rice.
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas Recipe FAQs
You don't need to soak these thanks to the Instant Pot! If you do soak your beans you can try cutting the cook time in half. What's the best way to cook them? Pressure cooking for sure.
Traditionally, these are soaked overnight in order to reduce the cooking time. If you're worried about gas, soaking beans has been said to assist with that. In general, black eyed peas are a lot less gassy than pinto beans and black beans
My family switched from using salt pork and ham hocks to season our beans years ago. We now use either a smoked turkey leg or turkey wing. I love to use turkey wings, too, but sometimes they are harder to find. I find it in the meat section of my grocery store. You may have to ask around for it or use another option listed below.
You can of course still use ham hocks, salt pork, country ham, or even bacon. If you are planning to use bacon I recommend that you cook the bacon in the Instant Pot on the Saute' function, and omit the olive oil used in this recipe. Cook the onions in the bacon fat.
Remove the bacon and crumble. Set aside until after the black eyed peas have cooked. Sprinkle the bacon throughout once cooked.
Cook them for 30 minutes and then allow steam to release naturally for 10 minutes prior to release.
You can double the black eyed peas and use the same amount of smoked turkey or opt for one slightly larger. The cook time will remain the same.
Omit the smoked turkey. Use vegetable broth. Add in ½ teaspoon smoked paprika and ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes for flavor.
They will last 3-5 days in the fridge, tightly covered.
These will freeze for up to 9 months. I often freeze my batch for New Year's in advance! This is a great hack. Be sure to store them tightly sealed. I like to leave them in the broth so that when I defrost they are loaded with flavor.
I like to use the slow cook function for a couple of hours to defrost.
Overcooking can result in mushy peas. Be careful not to leave the cooked peas in the covered pot for too long. This may alter the texture.
If your black-eyed peas are too firm, it's possible they didn't cook long enough. Add a few more minutes to the cooking time and check the texture after that.
Check the age of the peas. Older beans may take longer to cook and may never become as soft as fresher ones. Using fresh black-eyed peas can make a significant difference in the final texture.
Black-eyed peas are one of those ingredients that just get better the longer they simmer. They pick up smoky, savory flavor like nothing else and turn creamy on the inside without falling apart. In the South, they’re especially tied to New Year’s, luck, and family tradition, but honestly they’re good year-round with the right seasoning.
Most dried peas and beans will swell up to about 2x their original size once they’re cooked. They absorb water, soften, and plump up, so that little bag that looks like it’ll feed two people suddenly turns into a pot that could feed the whole neighborhood. The more broth they soak up, the more volume you get, which is why every Southern grandma was able to stretch a bag of beans into multiple meals. Beans stay winning.
If there’s liquid left, don’t stress, that’s normal. Beans don’t absorb liquid at the same rate every time, and some people like theirs brothy on purpose. If you want them brothy, leave it as-is and serve it like beans + pot liquor (amazing over rice or cornbread). If you want them thicker, simmer uncovered for a few minutes to let the excess moisture cook off and concentrate.
Yes, but I wouldn’t pressure cook them, they are already cooked. Reheat them on the stove with the spices used in the recipe.
More Ways to Cook Black Eyed Peas
Slow Cooker Crockpot Black Eyed Peas
Southern Black Eyed Peas
More Instant Pot Recipes
Instant Pot Collard Greens
Instant Pot Green Beans
Instant Pot Cabbage
More Southern Recipes
Southern Style Soul Food Baked Mac and Cheese
Southern Homemade Cornbread
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Southern Mustard Greens
Southern Cornbread Dressing
Southern Potato Salad
Instant Pot Baked Beans
steven alaska says
hey Brandi,
Loved this recipe!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Mary Ann says
Quick and easy way to make black eyed peas! It smells soooo good too! Thank you!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Amber says
I love your recipe. What type of pan did you use for your cornbread?
staysnatched says
It's linked in my cornbread recipe here. https://www.staysnatched.com/southern-cornbread/
Nielle says
So freaking good I’m coming on to write a review while I stuff my face. For the first time in my life I’m enjoying eating my black eyed peas on New Year’s Day! The black eyed peas are so soft and creamy and the flavor is spot on! And while I stopped to write this my kid stole my bowl. I think this is going to be on year round rotation. Maybe every first of the month needs good luck.
staysnatched says
haha not the kid stealing a bowl! YES
Laura says
Hands down BEST black eyed pea recipe I’ve ever had! THANK YOU!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm so glad you enjoyed them.
Krazy Kapricorn says
Another amazing recipe! My 1st time making black eyed peas & cooking w/a bay leaf. This was a hit with the family!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Courtney says
This was the perfect recipe for starting the New Year off on the right foot! I really appreciated your notes on how to make this without an InstaPot (I still need to upgrade from peasant status) and what to sub the Creole seasoning with. So easy, so tasty, and it got two thumbs way up from my dad who grew up eating beans and ham hocks every New Year’s Day. Kicking myself for not making a double batch!
staysnatched says
haha! I love to hear that!
Linda says
Seriously just make them! I have never had a bad recipe off of this sight! So much flavor, easy to make what more is needed! Happy New Year!
staysnatched says
haha! I love that you have enjoyed all of the recipes.
Lauren G says
I made this for 2021 New Years and it was AMAZING. I followed the recipe exactly for the Instant Pot and it turned out great, I’ll be making it often.
staysnatched says
So happy to hear you followed the recipe exactly!
Cassandra says
Made this today for New Year's. It was so delicious and had a great flavor. I loved that the beans took the 40 minutes (30 minutes and 10 minutes natural release). I have tried so many bean recipes where the time doesn’t give the beans ample time to soften up in the instant spot. Brandi was spot on with the time. I used ham hocks instead of turkey legs. Definitely will make again. My entire family raved about the beans.
staysnatched says
I'm glad your family enjoyed them!
Jennifer Garrett says
Made this today for New Years. They were fantastic and I don’t even like black eye peas but they are a requirement this year. Plus no soaking overnight.
staysnatched says
Yes! I love that these are no soak.
Megan says
Another quick and easy stunner by Brandi. We subbed thick-cut bacon for a turkey leg. 5/5!
staysnatched says
Thick cut bacon is a good idea!
LaShawn says
These were delicious, fast & easy! I only did half a bag so I cut the ingredients in half but stuck with the cook time. I will definitely be making these again!
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Devon says
This recipe is sooo easy and good. The flavor was amazing. I used smoked turkey necks because that’s what I had on hand. I also halved the recipe with no issues. If you’re looking for an easy & flavorful black eyed pea recipe for the new year of any other time, this is your recipe!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Eunice says
Perfect recipe and they were even better the second day.
staysnatched says
Yes I agree! Even better the next day.
Kellina from Cali says
I made Black Eyed Peas for the first time this New Year and used this recipe. When I tell you everyone LOVED them! I think this is exactly how I’m going to make them from now on.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad to hear this.
Antoiniece says
I made this recipe for Sunday dinner and I LOVED how easy it was. Chillleeee you talk about flavor???! It was sooooo good. I can’t wait to try more recipes!
staysnatched says
Yay! A great addition to Sunday dinner.
Malory says
So GOOD! I loathe black-eyed peas - until this. This recipe is bomb. SO much flavor and incredibly easy!
staysnatched says
Yay! I'm glad I could convert you!
Courtney says
Easy 5 stars, this recipe was simple, quick and best of all DELICIOUS. I have leftovers I am looking forward to. Thanks Brandi.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Lauren says
Was super easy and very tasty. Loved that the ingredient list and instructions were also simple. I used creole seasoning with a tiny extra splash of the sub seasonings listed, just to be a bit extra ;0) was very pleased with the outcome and froze extras for meal prep purposes.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I'm so glad you enjoyed the dish.
LaToya Jones says
Peas turned out great. Super easy recipe! Thanks Brandi!!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Kenyatta says
I made this recipe for New Year’s Day because I was not playing any games bringing in 2021 incorrectly!
This was my first time making black eyed peas and I was a little intimidated. However, I had nothing to worry about because this recipe was incredibly easy to follow! I’m not even a huge black eyed peas fan, but these turned out flavorful and delicious! I followed the recipe exactly except for using smoked turkey necks as my meat ingredient. I would make these again for sure!
staysnatched says
haha yes! You need that good luck!
Hope J says
I made this recipe recently and it is SO delicious! I really appreciate how straightforward your recipes are. I cooked it on the stovetop (didn’t have an instant pot at the time) and it turned out perfectly. I froze the leftovers and all of them are gone now! I will definitely make this recipe again soon. Thank you!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you found it straight forward!
Christie says
Hi! I've tried 2 of your recipes by far and I must say they both turned out good. The recipes are well written and work. This was the first time that I made black-eyed peas and I enjoyed them very much. Thank you!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed these.
Antoiniece Robinson says
I made this for dinner tonight and It is amazing !!!!!! There’s never been a recipe i made that I didn’t like. Please keep giving us more! You save me every time 🙌🏼
staysnatched says
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed them.
Eliscia says
I used this recipe for Christmas dinner. I substituted the smoked turkey for smoked turkey sausage since my grocery store was out of stock. Came out wonderful and I will be making this every year. Thank you!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Katye Brzozowski says
So stinking simple and sooooo delicious. I’ve always personally used hamhocks but never used the bay leaf before last year using the is recipe. Thanks for a simple and delicious recipe! Happy New Year!
staysnatched says
Happy New Year I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Ashley says
I’ve gone 34 years of my life thinking I didn’t really like black eyed peas. It turns out I just didn’t like how other people prepared them! This recipe is so delicious and easy in the instant pot without compromising flavor.
staysnatched says
haha! I'm so glad you enjoyed them.
Towanda Wilson says
These were on the New Year’s menu today along with Brandi’s bbq meatballs. They were amazing! I usually force myself to eat them for tradition purposes, but these I will actually go back for seconds.Ha!
staysnatched says
Gotta have seconds!
Adairea says
40 mins and you have the perfect black eyed peas!! I made this instant pot recipe this year for New Year and my life has been changed! They are going in the instant pot from now on… thanks for another bomb recipe…
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Danielle says
This was my first time making black eyed peas and I was not disappointed!!!! My family loves them and you can’t beat the cooking time!
staysnatched says
I'm so happy you weren't disappointed.
Jennifer says
Made this yesterday, love this recipe! Loved the smoked turkey leg with it, great flavor and easy directions!
staysnatched says
I'm glad to hear it was easy.
Aisha K. says
Another instant pot hit for me! I’ve used this recipe several times and use the soup cubes to freeze for later. Between this and the greens I haven’t cooked them on the stove in forever.
staysnatched says
No need with the Instant Pot!
Lee Ann Guynn says
Why would I make these any other way? These are the perfect, classic black-eyed peas. The cook time is right on. Thank you so much for the time saver and great recipe!
staysnatched says
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Tammy says
Can’t wait to try this recipe … I missed New Year’s Day but January still counts for the “luck” right?
Quick question, can I make this with leftover turkey and or ham? Would I just put it right into the instapot from the start even thought it’s already been “cooked”? New to instapot and loving it!
staysnatched says
I've only tried it with smoked turkey, which is cooked. I would think that's fine but you will have to test it out.
Melissa says
It was my first time trying black eyed peas and they were delicious! I made the full recipe but it’s just me so I appreciate the freezer instructions. Thanks!
staysnatched says
Freezing is clutch!
Debbie says
I've NEVER used a recipe to cook black-eyed peas! Never! But I had gotten an InstantPot and decided to use it to save time. So I scoured the internet for how to cook them in my IP. This recipe is spot on times 100! I am from the deep south and I know good peas/beans when I eat them! If you've not tried this version, do it this year! I promise you won't regret it at all. It's my go-to recipe for black-eyed peas!
staysnatched says
haha! I love to hear that.
erin garcia says
I made the vegetarian version of these and they were so tasty. The instructions and tips were helpful as always. Happy new year, Brandi!
staysnatched says
Yay! Happy New Year!
TS says
10/10! No more soaking for me!
staysnatched says
Ever!
Joni says
I loved your recipe! Thanks Brandi!
staysnatched says
Thank you!
Cori says
New Years Day Perfection!!! You always have delicious, well-documented recipes whether I’m doing Keto or mainstream cooking. Thanks Brandi!
staysnatched says
You're welcome!
Dee says
I normally am not a fan of black eyed peas but this recipe has changed my opinion. This is the only way I will make them now!
staysnatched says
So glad to hear it!
Deanna says
This was so easy! Followed it to a tee and my black eye peas are a hit! Highly recommend and will definitely make this again!
staysnatched says
I'm glad to hear you will make it again.