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    Home » Southern Recipes » Spicy and Smoky Southern Black Eyed Peas

    Spicy and Smoky Southern Black Eyed Peas

    Published: Dec 29, 2015 · Modified: Jul 18, 2021 by Sharee · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Learn how to make an easy, healthy, and delicious Southern dish with this basic Spicy and Smoky Souther Black Eyed Peas recipe!

    Closeup of the Southern Spicy and Smoky Souther Black Eyed Peas served to the table

    Black Eyed Peas for Good Luck

    It’s almost New Year’s Day, and when I was growing up every New’s Year 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….

    A collage og three images showing black eyed peas, soaking them and turkey

    The Beans That Taste Great

    Any who, whatever tradition you have it doesn’t matter, because these beans taste great any time, especially during our cold winter months.  

    A bowl of these yummy warm beans during a cold rainy day helps bring me comfort as long as there is a piece of buttery sweet cornbread beside it.  Plus it’s like a full meal for me because it has smoked turkey meat pieces in the broth that I use as a seasoning piece to give the peas a smoky flavor.

    A big pot of Spicy and Smoky Southern Black Eyed Peas with a wooden ladle inside

    The dish is also healthy because I use a lot of fresh ingredients, and instead of smoked pork, I used smoked turkey. (But you can use smoked pork if you want, I have cooked my peas both ways.)  

    It’s also a budget friendly dish because dried peas are very cheap, and this big pot of peas can feed an army and then some.

    Here are a few tips to help you understand how to cook these peas.  It’s easier than you think…

    Recipe Tips

    • Make sure to soak these peas before cooking.  This helps decrease this natural chemical that causes gas.  (Sorry I had to talk about this on a food site.)  It also helps to give your peas some extra cleaning time removing little dirt particles.
    • The use of a good chicken stock or broth will give these peas extra flavor.
    • Let your smoked meat boil for a little bit before adding the peas to help give the broth an extra boost of flavor.
    • You can eliminate the red cayenne pepper if you don’t like spicy foods, and these peas are still delicious.

    So these are my Spicy and Smoky Southern Black Eyed Peas that have me singing just as good Will.I.Am & Fergie…. 

    Side view of a nice pan full of the delicious Spicy and Smoky Souther Black Eyed Peas

    Enjoying Southern Black Eyed Peas?

    You will love these recipes, too:

    • Easy Slow Cooker Charro Beans
    • Slow Cooker Chili Beans
    • Easy Jerk Chicken Legs

    Grilled Cheese Social have a great Southern black eyed peas recipe, too.

    Made This Recipe?

    ♥♥♥ Please rate this recipe and leave a comment below to let me know if you enjoyed it. And follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more delicious inspiration! ♥♥♥

    Closeup of the Southern Spicy and Smoky Souther Black Eyed Peas served to the table

    Spicy & Smoky Southern Black Eyed Peas

    Learn how to make an easy, healthy, and delicious Southern dish with this basic Spicy and Smoky Souther Black Eyed Peas recipe!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Southern
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 3 hours
    Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 388kcal
    Author: Sharee

    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 (finely chopped) 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, lower the cooking temperature to low.
    • Cook the beans for 2 and half to 3 hours or until beans have become tender.
    • 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.)

    Notes

    • If you don't like spicy foods, you can eliminate the red cayenne pepper, and still have a good pot peas!
    • Soaking beans and peas helps to remove dirt, natural chemicals that produce gas, and decrease cooking time.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 388kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 532mg | Potassium: 719mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 4mg

    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.

    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Follow @savoryspicerack and tag #savoryspicerack!
    Spicy Southern Black Eyed Peas
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Helena

      July 18, 2021 at 7:06 am

      5 stars
      Oh wow, I’ve never though black eyed peas could be so tasty. Fantastic recipe!

      Reply
    2. JOHN HALL

      May 20, 2021 at 12:52 pm

      5 stars
      Gooood I’ve been using this recipe for 3 years now so good
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Savory Spicerack

        May 28, 2021 at 5:08 pm

        Yay so good to hear!!!

        Reply
    3. Amy B

      January 01, 2020 at 2:49 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Savory Spicerack

        January 04, 2020 at 4:33 pm

        Hello! Happy New Year!! I hope they turned out great for you!

        Reply
    4. Little Cooking Tips

      January 02, 2016 at 1:51 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Savory Spicerack

        January 02, 2016 at 9:20 am

        Thanks so much! Happy New Year to You!

        Reply
      • Savory Spicerack

        January 02, 2016 at 9:20 am

        Thanks so much! Happy New Year to You!

        Reply
    5. April B

      December 31, 2015 at 9:46 am

      I would never eat this when I was a kid but if they showed me a bowl like yours I would devour it fast!

      Reply
      • Savory Spicerack

        January 02, 2016 at 9:21 am

        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!

        Reply
    6. Priya Shiva

      December 30, 2015 at 10:27 pm

      Such a healthy looking dish! So flavourful too with garlic and pepper!

      Reply
      • Savory Spicerack

        January 02, 2016 at 9:23 am

        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!

        Reply
    7. EasycookingwithMolly

      December 30, 2015 at 6:01 pm

      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 🙂

      Reply
      • Savory Spicerack

        December 30, 2015 at 6:15 pm

        Thanks so much! Yes it’s great with meat, especially smoked meats. Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    8. Amanda {Striped Spatula}

      December 30, 2015 at 1:41 pm

      Looks fantastic. What a great tradition to ring in the new year.

      Reply
      • Savory Spicerack

        December 30, 2015 at 3:57 pm

        Thanks!

        Reply
      • Savory Spicerack

        December 30, 2015 at 6:16 pm

        Thanks so much!

        Reply
    9. Fareeha Ahmed

      December 30, 2015 at 8:44 am

      Wow, this simply looks so awesome and amazing. would love to try it soon

      Reply
      • Savory Spicerack

        December 30, 2015 at 10:11 am

        Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy if you try it!

        Reply
      • Savory Spicerack

        December 30, 2015 at 6:16 pm

        Thanks so much! Hope you get to try and enjoy it!

        Reply

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