Get ready to experience true Southern comfort with our quick and easy Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas Recipe! Made with simple, flavorful ingredients, this hearty dish delivers on taste and is hands down the best black eyed peas recipe you'll find. Perfect for any meal, it's a cozy classic you'll keep coming back to!
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Why This Recipe Works
- Flavorful Harmony: A blend of savory and smoky notes from andouille sausage, ham, and aromatic herbs creates a taste sensation.
- Effortless Preparation: With the convenience of the Instant Pot, this dish requires minimal hands-on time for a maximum flavor payoff.
- Versatile Comfort: Perfectly cooked black-eyed peas in a rich broth make this dish a comforting and versatile addition to your menu.
📋 Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this black eyed pea recipe.
- Dry Black-Eyed Peas: Nutrient-rich peas for creamy texture and earthy flavor.
- Olive Oil: Rich base, enhancing overall flavor.
- Onion, Diced: Sweet and savory depth to the dish.
- Andouille Sausage: Robust, smoky flavor from sliced and halved smoked sausage.
- Garlic, Minced: Bold, aromatic essence enhancing savory notes.
- Ham, Diced: Savory, salty element complementing other proteins.
- Chicken Broth: Liquid base for depth and well-cooked consistency.
- Bay Leaves: Enhance aroma with subtle herbal notes.
- Dried Thyme Leaves: Warm, earthy flavor complementing other herbs.
- Diced Tomatoes with Chiles: Zesty kick and depth of flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: To taste, seasoning for flavor enhancement.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
- Chicken Stock: Feel free to switch out the chicken broth for chicken stock. It will still have the same flavor profile.
- Ham: You can switch the ham for bacon, simply saute the bacon beforehand with the sausage.
- Vegetarian Twist: Omit the meat and enhance the flavor with smoked paprika and vegetable broth for a hearty vegetarian version.
- Creole Flair: Add diced bell peppers, celery, and Cajun seasoning for a Creole-inspired kick.
- Smoky Chipotle Heat: Include chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky and fiery flavor profile.
🔪How To Cook Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas?
- Step 1: Chop your onion, garlic and sausage. Saute until the onion is softened and the sausage is browned, about 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in garlic. Add the chicken broth and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to remove any cooked-on bits. This is called deglazing.
- Step 2: Cancel the sauté mode. Stir in the dry black eyed peas, bay leaves, thyme, and ham. Season with salt. Pour the tomatoes with chiles on top and do not stir. Pressure cook for 20 minutes, followed by a 15-minute natural release. Remove the bay leaves and stir the peas before serving.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- No Soaking Needed: One of the advantages of using an Instant Pot is that you don't need to soak the black-eyed peas overnight. The pressure cooking process cooks them thoroughly and quickly, even from dry, saving time without sacrificing texture.
- Add Flavor with Aromatics: Boost the flavor of your black-eyed peas by sautéing aromatics such as onions, garlic, and bell peppers in the Instant Pot using the sauté function before adding the peas. This step caramelizes the ingredients, adding depth to the overall flavor of the dish.
- Use a Smoked Meat for Depth: Incorporate a piece of smoked turkey, ham hock, or bacon into the pot when cooking the peas. The smokiness infuses throughout the peas, giving them a traditional, rich flavor that’s hard to achieve with seasonings alone.
- Natural Pressure Release is Key: After the cooking time has ended, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure. This slower process helps the black-eyed peas to become tender without becoming mushy, maintaining their integrity and texture.
- Season at the End: To prevent the black-eyed peas from becoming tough or the skins from cracking, add acidic ingredients like tomatoes or vinegar and any salt only after the peas are fully cooked. Adjust the seasoning at the end to fine-tune the taste.
💭 FAQs
Black-eyed peas can be soaked before cooking. Soaking black-eyed peas helps to reduce cooking times as it rehydrates the peas prior to cooking. If using soaked peas, be sure to soak for 3-4 hours. Then cook the prepared black-eyed peas for half the time 10 minutes instead of 20 minutes.
Yes, you can use the canned version in this recipe. However, if you have the time, I recommend using dried as they will give the dish a better flavor.
No, black-eyed peas are actually beans.
Yes, you can cooked the dried black eyed peas without the meat. Cooking times will remain the same, 10 minutes for soaked beans and 20 minutes for dried beans. This will ensure the tender black eyed peas cook just right.
If you have leftovers after cooking black eyed peas, refrigerate them in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
You can freeze spicy black eyed peas for 2-3 months. Label the container with the freezing date and preserve the spicy goodness of the dish.
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite sides to serve with Black Eyed Peas:
- Cornbread: Classic cornbread is a perfect accompaniment, providing a slightly sweet and crumbly contrast to the spicy black-eyed peas.
- Rice: Serve the spicy black-eyed peas over a fluffy white or brown rice bed to soak up the flavorful broth.
- Collard Greens: Sautéed or braised collard greens add a nutritious and earthy element, balancing the heat of the peas.
- Fried Okra: Crispy fried okra brings a delightful crunch and complements the Southern-inspired flavors of the dish.
🍜 Related Recipes
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Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Ingredients
- 1 Bag black-eyed peas 16 ounce bag dry black-eyed peas
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion diced
- 2 cups andouille sausage sliced and halved (or other smoked sausage)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups ham diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ teaspoon thyme dried thyme leaves
- 1 Can tomatoes with chiles 10 ounce can diced tomatoes with chiles
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Using the "Sauté" mode, heat the electric pressure cooker until “hot.” Add the olive oil, sausage, and onion. Sauté until the onion is softened and the sausage is browned, about 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in garlic.
- To the electric pressure cooker, add the chicken broth and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon to remove any cooked on bits. This is called deglazing.
- Cancel the sauté mode. Stir in the salt, peas, bay leaves, thyme, and ham. Pour the tomatoes with chiles on top and do not stir.
- Place the lid on the electric pressure cooker and set the valve to sealing. Set the pressure cooker to “manual” or “pressure cook” for 20 minutes.
- Naturally release for 15 minutes when the cook cycle is complete and then quick release the remaining pressure.
- Remove the bay leaves and stir the peas before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
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I.love the instant pot and have to try these. I bookmarked it for New year's day.
I.love the instant pot and have to try these. I bookmarked it for New year's day.
I can’t remember the last time I had black beans, looking forward to trying this.
I can’t remember the last time I had black beans, looking forward to trying this.
I can’t remember the last time I had black eyed peas, looking forward to trying this.
You know, I don't think I've ever had black eyed peas before. I need to try this. I do love spicy things!
My husband likes eating black eye peas for the new year. I will have to try this recipe for him.
My Aunt HAS to eat black eyed peas on news years every year for good luck, I'll have to pass along this recipe for her to try!
Wow, I didn't know that black eyed peas have these benefits.
Wow, I didn't know that black eyed peas have these benefits.
I actually don't know If I could buy black beans here in Philippines. It sounds delicious, though
I actually don't know If I could buy black beans here in Philippines. It sounds delicious, though
What a heavenly dish. I love peas and I love sausage so this is a combination of my most favorite things.
What a heavenly dish. I love peas and I love sausage so this is a combination of my most favorite things.
This is the perfect dish for my husband. He loves hearty and spicy dishes!
This is the perfect dish for my husband. He loves hearty and spicy dishes!
This sounds like a good combination of flavors. I don't eat a lot of beans and would like to try this.
This sounds like a good combination of flavors. I don't eat a lot of beans and would like to try this.
Wow, I haven't tried adding sausage with any of my black eyed peas dishes but it looks like we'll love it as well !
Wow, I haven't tried adding sausage with any of my black eyed peas dishes but it looks like we'll love it as well !
Omg yes! I'm saving this right now!! I never thought about adding sausages to my black eyed peas, this sounds like a game changer
Omg yes! I'm saving this right now!! I never thought about adding sausages to my black eyed peas, this sounds like a game changer
The combination of flavors sound delicious, I need to try to make this for the family soon
The combination of flavors sound delicious, I need to try to make this for the family soon