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Soul Food Southern Black Eyed Peas

Southern Soul Food Black Eyed Peas

My Black folks’ Southern soul food black-eyed peas are slow-simmered the traditional way. Tender peas, smoky flavor, and deep, savory seasoning in every spoonful. A classic comfort food recipe for New Year’s Day and beyond.
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Soul Food, Southern Food
Servings: 8
Calories: 145kcal
Author: Shaunda Necole • The Soul Food Pot®

Equipment

  • Large saucepan with a lid

Ingredients

  • 1 pound black eyed peas dried
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 6 cups chicken stock use vegetable stock for vegan and vegetarian recipes
  • 1 cup red onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon thyme dried
  • 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon use Creole seasoning for vegan and vegetarian recipes
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup collard greens finely chopped, fresh or pre-cooked (optional)
  • 2-3 slices bacon (optional)

Instructions

  • Soak the black-eyed peas in a bowl of water for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • In a large, heavy saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until the onions become translucent, which should take about 5 minutes.
  • Next, incorporate the chicken stock, bay leaf, paprika, red pepper flakes, thyme, chicken bouillon, salt, pepper, and collard greens (optional), along with bacon (optional).
  • Drain the soaked peas, then add them to the pot with the sautéed onion and garlic, stirring to combine.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil.
  • Once boiling, cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour.
  • After 1 hour, uncover the pot and continue to cook for an additional 30 minutes, until the peas are tender.
  • Stir the cooked beans, remove the bay leaf before serving, and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 704mg | Potassium: 400mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 390IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2mg

❤️ Why trust this recipe?

Created + tested by Shaunda Necole, creator of The Soul Food Pot® (real cook, real kitchen). Rooted in African American culinary traditions, with modern shortcuts that don’t sacrifice flavor or legacy. No AI-generated instructions — measurements, timing, and techniques are written, cooked, and verified by Shaunda. Make-it-your-way guidance included, so you can cook confidently with the tools you have.

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