These Southern Black Eyed Peas are made in your slow-cooker or Crockpot using dried beans, smoked turkey, and a few staples for amazing flavor. No need to soak these! Let your appliance do all of the work. This soul food dish is perfect for Sunday dinners and New Years when you're looking for some additional luck and prosperity.
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Table of Contents
Why Do We Eat Black Eyed Peas
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 slow-cooker or Crockpot! If you do soak your beans you can try cutting the cook time in half. I haven't tested this, because there's no need.
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 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, a ham bone, or even bacon.
What Kind of Stock/Broth to Use
I like to use chicken broth or stock. You can use either and you can use whatever you like, such as vegetable.
Can You Cook Them in Water?
Yes, you can substitute water for the broth. Broth will add flavor.
How to Make Black Eyed Peas in the Slow Cooker Without Soaking
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Add black eyed peas, onions, garlic, broth, smoked turkey, Creole seasoning, and bay leaf to the slow-cooker.
- Place the lid on. Slow cook.
- Remove the lid and remove the smoked turkey and bay leaf. Shred the meat from the smoked turkey and return it to the pot if you wish.
- Serve.
How Long to Cook/Cook Time/How to Tell When Done
Decide how you like your beans. Do you like me them firm, soft, or mushy? Check in on the beans frequently while they cook. The cook time will depend on your texture preference. I like for them to be soft, but not mushy. I typically cook them for about 7 ½ hours on Low. I prefer the Low setting because it will get the turkey really tender. It will get tender when cooked on High, but not as tender if cooked on Low in my opinion.
You can test if the beans are done by grabbing one bean out of the pot and mashing it with a spoon or fork.
Optional Ingredients and Ideas
- Collard Greens (Add these to the pot while the black eyed peas cook)
- Chopped Celery
- Chopped Tomatoes
- Chopped Green Peppers
- Chopped Red Peppers
How to Use Leftover Broth in the Pot
Don’t throw out that broth! That “pot liquor” or “pot likker” is loaded with tons of nutrients. It’s the reason I like to use 6 cups of broth in the recipe. You can use it in other soup recipes, enjoy it with the beans, or simply sip it.
Can You Make them Ahead? 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.
How to Double the Recipe
You can double all of the ingredients with no change to cook time.
How to Make the Dish Vegetarian
Omit the smoked turkey. Use vegetable broth. Add in ½ teaspoon smoked paprika and ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes for flavor.
Cornbread for Pairing
Southern Soul Food Cornbread
Cornbread Muffins
Sweet Potato Cornbread
Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread
Main Dish Pairings
Slow Cooker Turkey Legs
Slow Cooker Crockpot Turkey Wings
Slow Cooker Crockpot Turkey Necks
Pair With These Recipes
Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
Cornbread Dressing
Homemade Creamed Corn
Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin
Southern Coleslaw Recipe
Southern Potato Salad
Southern Green Beans
Fried Cabbage
Grand Marnier Cranberry Sauce
Okra and Tomatoes
More Black Eyed Peas Recipes
Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Slow Cooker Crockpot Black Eyed Peas with Smoked Turkey
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped white onion
- 3 garlic cloves Minced.
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 pound bag dried black eyed peas Rinsed
- 1 pound 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
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to the slow-cooker.
- Place the lid on. Cook for 3-4 hours on High or 7-8 hours on Low.
- Remove the lid and remove the smoked turkey and bay leaf. Shred the meat from the smoked turkey and return it to the pot if you wish.
- You can test if the beans are done by grabbing one bean out of the pot and mashing it with a spoon or fork.
- Serve.
Video
Notes
- You don’t need to soak these thanks to the slow-cooker or Crockpot! If you do soak your beans you can try cutting the cook time in half. I haven't tested this, because there's no need.
- Rinse the black eyes peas first to remove any surface dirt.
- Decide how you like your beans. Do you like me them firm, soft, or mushy? Check in on the beans frequently while they cook. I like to cook mine for 7 ½ hours on Low. I like for them to be soft, but not mushy.
- I prefer the Low setting because it will get the turkey really tender. It will get tender when cooked on High, but not as tender if cooked on Low in my opinion.
- You can of course still use ham hocks, a leftover ham bone, salt pork, country ham, or even bacon.
- 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.
- You can substitute Creole seasoning for whatever flavor or spice blend you like.
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.
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also get our free digital cookbook with 30-Minute One-Pot Recipes and weekly recipes and tips.
B says
This was SO easy! I used the 6 cups of broth like the recipe & have a good amount of pot likka left for my rice , YASSSS! So mad I’ve been intimidated by BEPs for so long. Smh! Great recipe!
staysnatched says
yay! I'm glad you enjoyed them.
DeErica Reddish says
Just tried this along with the collards and cornbread. So good! Always a hit with SS!
staysnatched says
Thank you! I'm glad you think so.
Teresa says
Made these today! They were SO good!! Lots of flavor…and I’m not usually a BEP fan!
staysnatched says
Yep, my black eyed peas are better than what you have had lol.
Laura Montgomery says
Oh my goodness. These were AMAZING! My only disappointment is that I didn’t make a double batch because they were gone so quickly!
staysnatched says
haha! A double batch is a good idea.
Alisha G. says
I don't know why I thought black eyed peas were so hard to make! Very easy recipe, my family loved them on New Years.
staysnatched says
Such an easy recipe!
Susan says
A New Years tradition in our house, but always forget to soak. Thankful Brandi had a no-soak recipe up her sleeve to make this easier. The flavor is top notch and even my three year old asked for more.
staysnatched says
These are great when you forget to soak!
Bianca says
I made this recipe tonight for my dinner and my family absolutely loved it. I cooked it low and slow for 8 hours then during the last two hours I turned it on high and when I say the meat was so tender that it literally fell off the bone. It was the best side dish I have made so far. I will definitely make this again.
staysnatched says
Glad to hear you will make it again.
Deborah says
Going to make this on New Year's. We love black eyed peas and your
recipe looks delicious. Cannot wait to try. Happy New Year!
staysnatched says
Happy new year!
Karen says
I’m excited to try this recipe. If you add collard greens, when do you put them in?
staysnatched says
The same time. It depends on how you tender you like your greens.
Deborah says
I made this recipe for New Year's day in the slow cooker. Didn't have the Creole
seasoning but all the ingredients that make up the seasoning. The smoked turkey
leg was absolutely delicious in this. Had never used before but will from now on.
Will definitely be making this again and may not even wait until New Year's.
Thank you!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! It's a great meal for any time.