Marianne Martinez
Black-eyed peas are a tasty and nutritious legume that many people in the South consider a lucky food. Commonly present on New Year's Day tables, black-eyed peas are said to represent the prosperity you'll have in the coming year. They are also packed with fibre, protein, iron, thiamine and folate. When it comes to cooking them in a crock pot, there are a few different ways to go about it. Some recipes call for pre-soaking the peas, while others suggest simply rinsing them and adding them directly to the crock pot. You can also add different ingredients to the crock pot to flavour the peas, such as ham hock, broth, water, bay leaf, salt, cumin, pepper and hot sauce.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soaking | Not required, but some recipes recommend it |
| Ingredients | Black-eyed peas, water, broth, ham hock, onion, garlic, bouillon cubes, salt, pepper, hot sauce, bay leaf, cumin |
| Cooking Time | 5-8 hours on low, 3-6 hours on high |
| Serving Suggestions | Rice, cornbread, greens, mac and cheese, smoked sausage or andouille, okra |
| Nutritional Information | High in fiber, protein, iron, thiamine, and folate |
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What You'll Learn
Soaking and preparing the peas
While black-eyed peas are small legumes that do not require any pre-soaking, you can choose to soak them overnight in a large bowl or in the slow cooker itself. Soaking them will reduce their cooking time. After soaking, drain off the water and add the remaining ingredients.
If you choose not to soak the peas, rinse them in a colander under cold running water. Pick them over and discard any discoloured, damaged, or malformed peas. You can use canned peas, but it is recommended to use dry black-eyed peas for this recipe.
For a one-pound bag of dried black-eyed peas, you will need seven cups of chicken broth. You can also use low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth instead of water to cook the peas in. If you are using frozen black-eyed peas, reduce the liquid to about two to three cups and cook for the same amount of time.
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Cooking time and temperature
Cooking dried black-eyed peas in a crock pot is a simple process. The cooking time will vary depending on the consistency you desire and whether you are using a slow cooker or an Instant Pot.
If you are using a slow cooker, cooking times range from 5 to 10 hours on low heat or 3 to 6 hours on high heat. The longer cooking time will result in softer peas, but be careful not to overcook them, as they should be tender but not mushy. It is recommended to add salt after the peas are tender and then continue cooking for an extra 15 to 20 minutes.
If you are using an Instant Pot, the cooking time is significantly shorter. One recipe suggests cooking on high pressure for 35 minutes, then naturally releasing the pressure for 10 minutes before doing a quick release of any remaining pressure.
Some recipes suggest soaking the peas overnight before cooking, which will increase the cooking time. However, this is not necessary, and some prefer the texture and flavour of unsoaked peas. If you are using canned peas, you do not need to soak them, but be sure to drain and rinse them before adding them to the crockpot. The cooking time for canned peas is much shorter, around 12 minutes.
The temperature settings for a crock pot are typically "low" and "high", but specific temperature values are usually not provided.
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Adding meat and vegetables
Black-eyed peas are a Southern comfort food, commonly served on New Year's Day to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. They are delicious cooked in a crock pot, where they can be left to slowly soak up all the flavours.
Meat and vegetables can be added to crockpot black-eyed peas to make a hearty, savoury dish. The most popular meat to add is ham, in the form of ham hocks, a ham steak, or a leftover ham bone. Bacon is also a popular choice, as are smoked sausages. For a vegetarian option, liquid smoke can be added to the crock pot to impart a similar smoky flavour.
Vegetables that complement black-eyed peas include onion, garlic, celery, and bell peppers. For a spicy kick, add a jalapeño pepper. To build even more flavour, add herbs such as parsley, thyme, or bay leaves. For a Southern-style dish, serve the crockpot black-eyed peas with collard greens and cornbread.
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Serving suggestions
Crockpot black-eyed peas are a traditional Southern comfort food, often served to bring good luck in the New Year. They are a tasty and nutritious legume that can be served as a side dish or a meal on their own. Here are some serving suggestions for crockpot black-eyed peas:
Rice
Rice is a simple and versatile side dish that pairs well with the flavourful black-eyed peas. You can spoon the peas over steamed white or brown rice to create a hearty and satisfying meal.
Cornbread
The slightly sweet and crumbly texture of cornbread is a classic accompaniment to crockpot black-eyed peas. The sweetness of the cornbread complements the savoury and earthy flavours of the peas.
Collard Greens
Collard greens are often simmered with smoked ham hocks or bacon, adding a rich and savoury element to the dish. The greens also represent "folded money", making them a popular choice for New Year's celebrations.
Meat
Black-eyed peas can be served with a variety of meats, such as diced cooked ham, pulled pork, cooked bacon, or smoked sausage. For a special occasion, you could add any meat of your choice to the crockpot.
Vegetables
The peas can be served with a variety of vegetables, such as chopped carrots, celery, onions, or garlic. For a more substantial meal, you could add mashed potatoes or mac and cheese.
Spices and Seasonings
To enhance the flavour of the peas, consider adding spices and seasonings such as Cajun seasoning, paprika, thyme, or Creole seasoning. You can also add bouillon cubes or powder to enhance the savoury flavour of the dish.
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Storage and reheating
To store your cooked black-eyed peas, first let them cool. Then, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to four or five days. If you don't plan on eating them within that time, you can freeze them for up to six months. To freeze, spread the peas out in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet and place them in the freezer. After about 45 minutes, pack the frozen peas into freezer containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, leaving about half an inch of space at the top.
When you're ready to eat your frozen black-eyed peas, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. You can then reheat them on the stovetop or in the microwave until they're heated throughout.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the consistency you want to achieve. For tender peas, cook on low for about 5 hours or on high for about 3 hours. If you prefer a creamier texture, cook the peas for about 8 hours on low or 5 to 6 hours on high.
No, it is not necessary to soak black-eyed peas before cooking them in a crock pot. However, some recipes recommend soaking the peas overnight in a large bowl or in the slow cooker to reduce cooking time.
You can add various ingredients to black-eyed peas in a crock pot to enhance their flavour. These include water or broth, bay leaf, salt, cumin, pepper, hot sauce, and meat such as ham hock, bacon, or pulled pork. You can also add vegetables like onions, garlic, and carrots.
