Slow-Cooker Black-Eyed Peas

Enjoy a Southern classic with none of the fuss! Let your slow cooker do the work while you go about your day, then come home to a soul-satisfying bowl of Southern goodness that's good for the heart and soul.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine African, Southern

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 6

Total Time 6 10

Servings

Calories 215kcal

Author Imma

Ingredients

4-5 slices bacon, chopped
1 large onion, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
2-3 teaspoon (10-15g) minced garlic
2 teaspoon (2g) minced thyme
1 pound (450g) dried black-eyed peas (sorted and rinsed)
1 1 cup (240g) diced smoked sausage (about 8 ounces)
1 bay leaf
1-2 teaspoons (5-10g) Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon (5g) paprika (optional)
1 tablespoon (15g) bouillon powder
salt and pepper to taste (start with ¾-1 teaspoon each and add more as desired)
7 cups (1.6 liters) chicken broth

Instructions

Fry the bacon in a pan for about 5 minutes. Drain excess bacon fat with a slotted spoon and transfer the bacon to the slow cooker.
Add the onion, garlic, celery, and thyme to the pan, sauté for about 3 minutes, take the pan off the heat, and add the contents to the slow cooker.
Then add the black-eyed peas, sausage, bay leaf, Creole seasoning, paprika, bouillon powder, salt, and pepper.
Finally, pour in the chicken broth. Stir well, cover, and simmer on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-5 hours.
Adjust seasonings to taste after the peas are cooked. Garnish with your cooked bacon and serve.

Notes

You don't need to soak black-eyed peas, but it won't hurt. Soak them for eight hours or overnight and use only five cups of chicken broth in the recipe. Then, cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for around 3 hours. (See next note)
How long it takes depends on the age of the peas, altitude, and your slow cooker. Adjust cooking time to your circumstances.
For creamier beans, remove a cup of the peas and mash them up. Add them back to the slow cooker and stir.
Add chopped kale or collard greens 20-30 minutes before the beans are done if desired.
Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.

Nutrition