Easy Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas

These Easy Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas are made Southern-style using your pressure cooker and perfect for Sunday dinners and the New Year’s holiday. This no soak recipe uses 1 pound of dried beans seasoned with smoked turkey.

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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.

Do You Need to Soak Them?

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.

What Meat is Used to Season the Peas

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.

How to Cook Dried Black Eyed Peas in Instant Pot

1. Saute onions and garlic in the Instant Pot on the saute function.
2. Add in rinsed black eyed peas, broth, a turkey leg, Creole Seasoning, and a bay leaf.
3. Pressure Cook.

How Long to Cook/Cook Time

Cook them for 30 minutes and then allow steam to release naturally for 10 minutes prior to release.

How to Double the Recipe

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.

How to Make the Dish Vegetarian

Omit the smoked turkey. Use vegetable broth. Add in 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for flavor.

How Long Will They Last in the Fridge

They will last 3-5 days in the fridge, tightly covered.

Freezer Tips

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.

If you love rice and peas, pair this with Instant Pot Brown Rice.

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