Southern Black-Eyed Peas
This Southern black-eyed peas recipe is a classic dish often prepared for New Year's Day, symbolizing good luck and comfort, made with tender peas, meat, and aromatic vegetables.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb dried black-eyed peas Rinsed and picked through
- 1 piece smoked ham hock or slab of bacon Adds depth of flavor
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
- 4 cups water Enough to cover the peas for cooking
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp salt Adjust to taste
- 1 tsp black pepper Adjust for desired heat
- 1 leaf bay leaf Optional for additional flavor
- to taste hot sauce Add at the end for heat
Instructions
Preparation
- Rinse the black-eyed peas in a colander, picking out any debris and dust.
- You can soak the peas overnight or do a quick soak by boiling them for 5 minutes, letting them sit off the heat for 1 hour, then draining.
Cooking
- In a large pot, add the soaked black-eyed peas, water, ham hock or bacon, diced onion, smashed garlic, salt, and black pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 1-1.5 hours, checking occasionally to ensure there's enough water.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. If desired, add hot sauce towards the end.
- Remove the ham hock or bacon once tender, strip off the meat, and stir it back into the peas.
Notes
You can customize your black-eyed peas with celery, bell peppers, or tomatoes. Experiment with flavors and add vinegar before serving for an extra kick.