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easy crock pot black eyed peas

easy crock pot black eyed peas

These easy crock pot black eyed peas are a delicious and comforting dish, perfect for a nourishing meal with minimal effort.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound dried black eyed peas, rinsed and sorted
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups vegetable broth (or chicken broth if not vegetarian)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • to taste salt
  • to taste black pepper
  • 1-2 tablespoons olive oil (if sautéing aromatics)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Equipment

  • large slow cooker
  • Cutting Board
  • knife

Method
 

  1. Prep the Veggies: Chop the onion and bell pepper. Mince the garlic. Rinse and sort the dried black eyed peas, removing any debris or shriveled peas.
  2. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Add the rinsed black eyed peas, chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped bell pepper, diced tomatoes (undrained), vegetable broth, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper (if using) to your slow cooker. Stir everything gently to combine.
  3. Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the black eyed peas are tender. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your slow cooker and the age of the dried peas.
  4. Season and Serve: Once tender, stir in salt and black pepper to taste. If the mixture is too thin, you can mash a few of the peas against the side of the slow cooker to help thicken it. Alternatively, if it’s too thick, add a little more broth. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving. Serve hot with cornbread, rice, or as a side dish.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can sauté the onion, garlic, and bell pepper in a tablespoon of olive oil before adding them to the slow cooker. If you prefer a richer flavor and are not vegetarian, you can add a smoked ham hock, a piece of salt pork, or a few strips of cooked bacon to the slow cooker along with the other ingredients. Adjust cooking time accordingly if adding meat. Soaking the black-eyed peas overnight can reduce cooking time slightly, but it's not strictly necessary for this slow cooker recipe.