Carole's Crowder Peas

Experience the heartwarming flavors of the South with Carole's Crowder Peas, a soul-soothing dish brimming with rustic charm and rich, smoky goodness. This recipe combines tender crowder peas with a savory smoked ham hock or turkey leg, gently simmered in a flavorful broth infused with garlic, onions, fresh thyme, and a hint of vibrant spices like paprika and red pepper flakes. Optional diced tomatoes add a touch of brightness for those seeking an extra layer of flavor. Perfect for a comforting family meal, these perfectly stewed peas can be served with fluffy cornbread or over a bed of rice for a true Southern-inspired feast. Ready in just 15 minutes of prep and slow-simmered to perfection, this one-pot wonder is a must-try for lovers of classic Southern cooking.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 cups fresh or frozen crowder peas
• 1 smoked ham hock or smoked turkey leg
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 cup optional: diced tomatoes

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the crowder peas under cold water and sort through them to remove any debris.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the smoked ham hock (or turkey leg) to the pot and pour in the chicken broth.

Step 6

Add the bay leaf, fresh thyme, and optional diced tomatoes, if using.

Step 7

Stir in the crowder peas and season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and red pepper flakes.

Step 8

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer.

Step 9

Cover the pot and simmer gently for 60-90 minutes, or until the peas are tender. Check occasionally and add more broth or water, if needed, to keep the peas submerged.

Step 10

Once the peas are tender, remove the ham hock or turkey leg from the pot and shred the meat off the bone. Discard the bone and return the meat to the pot.

Step 11

Taste the peas and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper, if necessary.

Step 12

Serve warm with cornbread or over rice for a classic Southern meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2718.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1204.2

Total Fat 29.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 50mg	0%
Sodium 6653.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 191.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 45.9g	0%
Total Sugars 39.7g
Protein 92.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 367.3mg	0%
Iron 26.7mg	0%
Potassium 4581.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 18.9%

Protein: 26.4%

Carbs: 54.7%