Soulful Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas

Step into the heart of Southern tradition with our incredibly easy and flavorful Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas. This soul food classic, typically gracing tables for New Year’s for good luck and prosperity, and enjoyed as a comforting staple any Sunday, is now simpler than ever to prepare. Using your pressure cooker, this no-soak recipe transforms dried black eyed peas into a tender, rich, and deeply savory dish, seasoned perfectly with smoked turkey. Forget the overnight soaking; your Instant Pot makes this beloved Southern delicacy accessible and quick, without compromising on that authentic, slow-cooked taste.

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For generations, black eyed peas have been a cornerstone of my family’s New Year’s Day celebration, a cherished tradition symbolizing luck and financial prosperity for the year ahead. Beyond the holiday, they are a staple on our family dinner tables, often served alongside a hearty pot of collard greens. Not only are these legumes packed with flavor and tradition, but they are also incredibly economical. A pound of dried peas costs a mere dollar, and preparing a substantial meal for the entire family can often be achieved for under $10, making it a truly budget-friendly and satisfying dish we enjoy frequently.

The Southern tradition surrounding black eyed peas for New Year’s is steeped in cultural beliefs tied to fortune and abundance. It’s widely believed that consuming this dish as your first meal of the year will ensure a prosperous twelve months. The round shape of the peas is said to symbolize coins, while the accompanying collard greens represent paper money. Together, they form a powerful culinary charm for financial well-being. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a ritual, a hopeful start to a new chapter, deeply ingrained in the fabric of Southern hospitality and heritage.

Despite their common name, black eyed peas are botanically classified as legumes, specifically beans, rather than peas. Like most members of the bean family, they are a nutritional powerhouse. They are brimming with dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes satiety, and an excellent source of plant-based protein, vital for muscle repair and overall body function. Incorporating them into your diet is a delicious way to boost your intake of essential nutrients, contributing to a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Do You Need to Soak Them?

One of the greatest advantages of using an Instant Pot for black eyed peas is eliminating the need for pre-soaking. Traditionally, dried beans are soaked overnight to reduce cooking time and aid in digestibility. However, with the high-pressure cooking capabilities of the Instant Pot, you can skip this step entirely, saving you valuable time and effort without sacrificing tenderness or flavor. Simply rinse your dried peas, and they’re ready for the pot!

While overnight soaking is no longer necessary for cooking duration, some people still choose to soak beans if they are concerned about the “gassy” side effects. Soaking is believed by some to help break down indigestible sugars that can cause discomfort. However, black eyed peas are generally less prone to causing gas compared to other legumes like pinto beans or black beans, making them a gentler option for many. For most, the Instant Pot’s efficiency makes pre-soaking obsolete.

What Meat is Used to Season the Peas

For years, my family has embraced a healthier approach to seasoning our black eyed peas, moving away from traditional salt pork and ham hocks. Our preferred choice for imparting that deep, smoky flavor is a smoked turkey leg or turkey wing. Smoked turkey wings, when available, are fantastic, but smoked turkey legs are usually easier to find in the meat section of most grocery stores. The slow-cooked smoked turkey infuses the peas with a rich, savory essence that is both comforting and incredibly delicious, offering a leaner alternative without sacrificing the soul food experience.

Of course, for those who prefer classic methods, you can certainly still use ham hocks, salt pork, country ham, or even smoked bacon for seasoning. If you opt for bacon, I recommend cooking it directly in the Instant Pot using the sauté function until crispy. Remove the bacon, crumble it, and set it aside. Then, cook the onions in the rendered bacon fat, skipping the olive oil in the recipe. Once the black eyed peas are cooked and ready to serve, sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the top for an extra layer of smoky, salty crunch.

How to Make Southern Soul Food Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas

Crafting these delicious Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. The beauty of pressure cooking lies in its simplicity and speed, allowing you to achieve a deeply flavorful dish with minimal fuss. Here’s a quick overview of the essential steps; detailed measurements and comprehensive instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. **Sauté Aromatics:** Begin by sautéing chopped onions and minced garlic directly in your Instant Pot. This step is crucial for building a flavorful base, allowing the aromatics to soften and release their sweet, pungent notes, which will permeate the entire dish.
2. **Combine Ingredients:** Once the onions are translucent and fragrant, add the rinsed dried black eyed peas, chicken broth, the smoked turkey leg, a generous seasoning of Creole spice, and a bay leaf. Stir everything together to ensure all ingredients are well distributed and seasoned.
3. **Pressure Cook:** Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, set the valve to the sealing position, and cook under high pressure. The pressure cooker will work its magic, transforming the hard, dried peas into tender, succulent legumes infused with all the savory flavors.

How Long to Cook/Cook Time

For perfectly tender, flavorful black eyed peas that hold their shape, cook them for 30 minutes under high pressure. Once the cooking cycle is complete, resist the urge to immediately release the pressure. Instead, allow the steam to release naturally for at least 10 minutes. This natural release period is crucial; it helps prevent the peas from bursting, allows the flavors to meld further, and contributes to a creamier texture. After 10 minutes, you can carefully perform a quick release of any remaining pressure before opening the lid.

How to Double the Recipe

Easily scale up this recipe to feed a larger crowd or for meal prepping. To double the recipe, simply double the amount of black eyed peas, broth, and seasonings. You can use the same amount of smoked turkey (approximately 1 to 1.5 pounds) or opt for a slightly larger cut if you want more meat. The beauty of pressure cooking is that the cook time will remain the same, as the pressure inside the pot cooks the food uniformly regardless of volume (within reasonable limits, ensuring the pot isn’t overfilled and there’s enough liquid).

How to Make the Dish Vegetarian

Transforming this Southern classic into a delicious vegetarian dish is simple and yields a remarkably flavorful result. To make it vegetarian, omit the smoked turkey entirely. Replace chicken broth with a high-quality vegetable broth to maintain a savory liquid base. To replicate some of the smoky depth usually provided by the meat, add ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika and ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes (or more, to taste, for a subtle kick). These additions will infuse the peas with a warm, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor profile, ensuring a robust and satisfying vegetarian meal.

How Long Will They Last in the Fridge

Once cooked, these Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Ensure they are tightly covered to maintain freshness and prevent them from absorbing other odors from the fridge. They make excellent leftovers, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld and deepen.

Freezer Tips

Black eyed peas are exceptionally freezer-friendly, making them perfect for advance preparation, especially for annual traditions like New Year’s Day. You can freeze cooked black eyed peas for up to 9 months, providing a convenient “cook once, eat many times” solution. To ensure maximum flavor upon reheating, I recommend freezing them along with their flavorful broth. This helps retain moisture and keeps the peas from drying out.

Store them in freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving a little headspace if using containers, as liquids expand when frozen. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply defrost in the refrigerator overnight, or for a quicker method, you can use the slow cook function in your Instant Pot for a couple of hours until heated through. This hack is fantastic for ensuring you always have a comforting, traditional meal ready to go.

Mushy Black Eyed Peas

While tender black eyed peas are desirable, overcooking can lead to a mushy, less appealing texture. This often happens if they are cooked for too long or left in the covered pot for an extended period after cooking, continuing to absorb heat and liquid. To prevent this, be mindful of the cooking time and the natural release duration. As soon as the natural release is complete, open the pot, remove the bay leaf and turkey, and serve or cool them down if storing. Timely removal from the hot environment will help preserve their ideal texture.

Peas That Are Too Firm

If your black eyed peas turn out too firm, there are a few common reasons and easy solutions. The primary cause is often insufficient cooking time. If they’re not as tender as you’d like, simply add a few more minutes to the pressure cooking time and check their texture again. You might need to add a splash more broth or water before resuming pressure cooking.

Another factor could be the age of the dried peas. Older beans tend to be harder and can take significantly longer to cook, sometimes never achieving the same softness as fresher ones. For the best results, always aim to use fresh dried black eyed peas. You can usually find the packing date on the bag, which can help ensure you’re starting with a quality product. Using fresh beans can make a notable difference in achieving that perfectly tender, creamy consistency.

For a complete and comforting meal, consider pairing these flavorful black eyed peas with some fluffy rice. For a healthier twist, try them with our Instant Pot Brown Rice – quick, easy, and a perfect complement!

More Ways to Cook Black Eyed Peas

While the Instant Pot offers unparalleled speed and convenience, there are other beloved methods for preparing black eyed peas, each yielding a slightly different character. Explore these options to find your favorite:

• Slow Cooker Crockpot Black Eyed Peas: Perfect for hands-off cooking, allowing flavors to meld beautifully over several hours.
• Southern Black Eyed Peas: A traditional stovetop recipe that captures the classic essence of this dish.

More Instant Pot Recipes

Discover the versatility of your Instant Pot with these other amazing recipes, making Southern cooking easier and faster than ever:

• Instant Pot Collard Greens
• Instant Pot Green Beans
• Instant Pot Cabbage

More Southern Recipes

If you’re craving more authentic Southern comfort food, be sure to try these other beloved recipes that will transport you straight to the heart of Southern hospitality:

• 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

Southern Soul Food Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas

By Brandi Crawford

These Southern Soul Food 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 dried beans seasoned with smoked turkey.

Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars from 35 votes.

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Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 35 mins

Natural Release of Steam: 10 mins

Total Time: 50 mins

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine: Southern

Servings: 10 servings

Calories: 119 kcal

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Equipment

• Instant Pot
• Slotted Spoon

Ingredients

(Adjust servings: 1x, 2x, 3x)

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped white onion
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 pound bag dried black eyed peas, rinsed
• 1 smoked turkey leg (about 1 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

1. Place the Instant Pot on the sauté function and add the olive oil.
2. When hot, add the onions and garlic. Sauté until translucent and fragrant.
3. Add in the chicken broth, rinsed black eyed peas, smoked turkey leg, Creole seasoning, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
4. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and seal. Cook for 30 minutes on Manual (or Pressure Cook) > High Pressure.
5. When the pot indicates it has finished, allow steam to release naturally for 10 minutes.
6. Open up the pot and carefully remove the bay leaf and smoked turkey leg. If you like meat in your black eyed peas, use two forks to shred the turkey meat from the bone and return it to the pot. Stir well. Taste repeatedly and add salt and pepper to taste if needed.
7. Serve the black eyed peas using a slotted spoon to leave excess broth if desired.

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Notes

• Always rinse the black eyed peas first to remove any surface dirt or debris.
• Smoked turkey (legs or wings) can typically be found in the meat section of most grocery stores. If you have trouble locating it, ask a butcher or store associate.
• For seasoning alternatives, you can use ham hocks, salt pork, country ham, or even bacon. If using bacon, cook it in the Instant Pot on the sauté function (omitting olive oil), remove it, crumble, and then cook the onions in the rendered bacon fat. Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the cooked peas at the end.
• If you don’t have Creole Seasoning, you can substitute with a blend of ¼ teaspoon each of paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, and dried basil. Adjust to your taste.
• This recipe can easily be doubled. Simply double all ingredients. The cooking time will remain the same.
• To make these without an Instant Pot: Soak dried black eyed peas overnight. Add all ingredients to a large pot or Dutch oven, cover, and simmer on low heat for 3-4 hours, or until the peas are tender.

Nutrition

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.

Serving: 0.5 cup

Calories: 119 kcal

Carbohydrates: 8 g

Protein: 10 g

Fat: 2 g

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