Learn how to make an easy, healthy, and delicious Southern dish with this basic Spicy and Smoky Southern Black Eyed Peas recipe!
These Southern-style black-eyed peas simmer slowly with smoked turkey until tender and deeply flavorful, creating a savory, smoky broth that coats every bite that’s comforting, rich, and never dry.
BLACK-EYED PEAS FOR GOOD LUCK
It’s almost New Year’s Day, and when I was growing up every New Year’s Day there better be a pot of black eyed peas cooking to help bring us good luck, along with a pot of collard greens that was suppose to bring you money throughout the new year.
If that’s true, why are my pockets still empty??? I’m suppose to be rich with all the black-eyed peas I ate every New Year’s Day….
While black-eyed peas are most famous for New Year’s Day traditions in Southern and African American kitchens, this dish is just as comforting year round, especially during the colder months when a warm, savory pot of peas hits the spot.
THE BEANS THAT TASTE GREAT
Whatever tradition you follow, these beans taste great any time of year. A bowl of these warm, savory peas on a cold or rainy day brings instant comfort, especially when there’s a piece of buttery sweet cornbread on the side.
This dish eats like a full meal thanks to the smoked turkey pieces simmered right in the broth. The turkey acts as a seasoning meat, slowly releasing smoky flavor as the peas cook. The peas are meant to be tender and saucy, not dry, with just enough broth to coat every spoonful.
The dish is also healthier than many traditional versions because I use fresh ingredients and smoked turkey instead of smoked pork, though you can absolutely use smoked pork if you prefer. I’ve cooked these peas both ways, and they’re delicious either way.
It’s also a budget friendly dish. Dried black-eyed peas are inexpensive, and one large pot can feed a crowd with leftovers to spare.
RECIPE TIPS FOR FLAVORFUL BLACK-EYED PEAS
These simple steps help build deep, smoky flavor before the peas finish simmering. The full recipe instructions are below.
Soak the peas before cooking
Soaking helps remove dirt, hydrates the peas evenly, and reduces the natural compounds that can cause gas (sorry – but it matters).
Use a good chicken stock or broth
Cooking black-eyed peas in broth instead of water adds richness and depth from the very start.
Simmer the smoked meat first
Letting the smoked turkey (or pork, if using) simmer briefly before adding the peas helps infuse the broth with smoky flavor early on.
Adjust the heat to taste
If you don’t enjoy spicy foods, you can reduce or skip the cayenne pepper and still end up with deeply flavorful peas.
As the peas finish cooking, the broth thickens slightly. They should be saucy and well coated, not soupy, with a rich, savory texture in every spoonful.
Pro Tip – If your peas taste bland add more salt, a splash of apple cider vinegar, or let them simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to concentrate the flavors.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
I love serving these black-eyed peas with these collard greens for a classic Southern meal.
FAQs
Yes. Frozen peas cook quickly and don’t need soaking. Add them straight to the pot and simmer 20 to 30 minutes until tender. They absorb flavor well, so adjust seasoning at the end.
Either! For brothier pot liquor, keep the lid on and add a splash of broth if needed.
Yes! The flavor improves the next day. Add a splash of broth when reheating if it thickens too much.
MADE THIS RECIPE?
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Spicy & Smoky Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups of chicken stock or broth
- 2 pounds of smoked turkey wings (I used two drumsticks)
- 1 pound of black eyed peas
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 4 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- Kosher Salt
Instructions
- First rinse your peas and remove any dirt pieces from your beans.
- Next, soak the peas before cooking.
- To soak your peas overnight: Place the peas in a large bowl of water, cover, and place in refrigerator. Let the peas soak for at least 8 hours.
- For a quick soak method for the peas: Place the peas in a large pot of hot water. Boil the peas in the hot water for 2 minutes, remove from heat, cover the pot with a lid, and the the pot sit covered for an hour, then rinse and drain the peas.
- When ready to cook the peas, place the chicken stock and smoked turkey legs into a large pot. Boil the turkey legs or wings for 30 minutes in broth.
- Then add the beans, onion, garlic, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and liquid smoke to the pot of chicken stock and stir the ingredients together. Salt to taste.
- Bring the ingredients to a boil.
- Once the ingredients come to a boil, cover the pot with a lid, lower the cooking temperature to low.
- Cook the beans for 2 and half to 3 hours or until beans have become tender, stirring occasionally while they cook. Simmer uncovered for the last 10 to 15 minutes.
- Remove the meat from the turkey wings/legs. Discard of the bones. Add the meat back into the pot of peas. (Most of the meat should pull away from the bone while cooking.)
Nutrition
Please note that I am not a nutritionist, and the nutritional information is an estimate only. It varies based on the products and brands used.
Thanks for stopping by! Welcome to the Savory Spicerack! In my kitchen, there is no such thing as a bland meal. Each of my creations are just the way food should be – packed with flavor and created with love.
Great recipe! Been using it for a few years!
Oh wow, I’ve never though black eyed peas could be so tasty. Fantastic recipe!
Gooood I’ve been using this recipe for 3 years now so good
Thank you
Yay so good to hear!!!
I usually do my soak in a pressure cooker, but I have trouble figuring out how long to do that for. I had turkey tails and used them. I’ll see how it comes out. Happy New Year!
Hello! Happy New Year!! I hope they turned out great for you!
Hi Sharee, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Our best wishes for a great, healthy and happy 2016!
Regarding the peas, thank you for the tips. These beans were the only ones we never soaked, but we will do so from on, following your advice! Thank you for letting us know about the gas issue:)
This recipe is yummy, and indeed budget friendly, plus it’s a healthy choice as well!
Thank you so much dear!
PS Loved the disqus plugin!
Thanks so much! Happy New Year to You!
Thanks so much! Happy New Year to You!
I would never eat this when I was a kid but if they showed me a bowl like yours I would devour it fast!
LOL Well I am so happy that my picture of peas have converted you!!!! You know I felt the same way about squash as a kid! Thanks for stopping by!
Such a healthy looking dish! So flavourful too with garlic and pepper!
Yes it is a healthy and comforting dish the way this recipe is created! Sometimes it can be made a little on the unhealthy side too. Thanks for stopping by!
Such a great idea to use it with Turkey. I love black eyed peas but never made them with meat. Your recipe looks delicious and will surely try soon 🙂
Thanks so much! Yes it’s great with meat, especially smoked meats. Thanks for stopping by!
Looks fantastic. What a great tradition to ring in the new year.
Thanks!
Thanks so much!
Wow, this simply looks so awesome and amazing. would love to try it soon
Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy if you try it!
Thanks so much! Hope you get to try and enjoy it!