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.

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my full disclosure here.

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
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.

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 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
Easy Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
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 1/2 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 1/4 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.
Melissa
Sunday 1st of January 2023
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
Tuesday 3rd of January 2023
Freezing is clutch!
Tammy
Thursday 6th of January 2022
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
Thursday 6th of January 2022
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.
Lee Ann Guynn
Tuesday 4th of January 2022
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
Tuesday 4th of January 2022
You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed them!
Aisha K.
Tuesday 4th of January 2022
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
Tuesday 4th of January 2022
No need with the Instant Pot!
Jennifer
Sunday 2nd of January 2022
Made this yesterday, love this recipe! Loved the smoked turkey leg with it, great flavor and easy directions!
staysnatched
Monday 3rd of January 2022
I'm glad to hear it was easy.