🕒 Prep & Cook Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus soaking time if using dried peas)
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
Main
- 1 lb dried black-eyed peas (or 3 cans, drained & rinsed)
- 6 cups water or chicken broth
- 1 smoked ham hock (or smoked turkey leg)
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning
- 1 tsp salt (adjust later if using ham hock)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
👩🍳 Directions
1. Soak the Peas (if using dried)
- Rinse and sort peas
- Soak overnight in water or quick soak:
- Boil for 2 minutes, remove from heat, let sit 1 hour
- Drain and set aside
2. Cook the Bacon
- In a large pot or Dutch oven:
- Cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy
- Remove bacon and set aside, leaving grease in pot
3. Build Flavor Base
- Add onion and bell pepper to bacon grease
- Cook until softened (about 5 minutes)
- Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute
4. Add Peas & Meat
- Add:
- Black-eyed peas
- Ham hock (or turkey leg)
- Cooked bacon
- Water or broth
5. Season & Simmer
- Add all seasonings and bay leaf
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat
- Cover and simmer 1 to 1 hour 15 minutes, until peas are tender
6. Finish
- Remove ham hock, shred meat, and return to pot
- Taste and adjust seasoning
- Remove bay leaf
7. Serve
- Serve hot with:
- Rice
- Cornbread
- Collard greens
🔥 Southern Tips
- Add a splash of hot sauce or vinegar at the end for brightness
- For thicker peas, mash a small portion in the pot
- Letting them sit 15–20 minutes after cooking deepens flavor
- Traditionally served on New Year’s Day for good luck 🍀