Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas

Warm, comforting, and packed with bold Southern flavors, this Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas recipe is the ultimate dish for effortless cooking. Combining protein-rich black-eyed peas with the smoky depth of a ham hock or turkey leg, this hearty meal is perfectly seasoned with garlic, onions, smoked paprika, thyme, and a touch of cayenne for subtle heat. The slow cooker does all the work, tenderizing the peas and infusing them with rich, savory flavors over 8 hours of gentle simmering. Serve these creamy black-eyed peas over fluffy rice or alongside warm cornbread for a soul-satisfying meal. Perfect for busy weeknights or as a New Year’s tradition, this dish is as nourishing as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:480 mins

Total Time:495 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Black-eyed peas
• 1 Smoked ham hock or smoked turkey leg
• 1 medium, diced Yellow onion
• 3 minced Garlic cloves
• 1 large, diced Carrot
• 2 diced Celery stalks
• 6 cups Chicken broth
• 1 Bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional for garnish) Fresh parsley
• 1 serving (per person, optional) Cooked rice or cornbread

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the black-eyed peas thoroughly under cold water and sort through them to remove any debris or damaged peas. No need to soak them as the slow cooker will tenderize them perfectly.

Step 2

Place the rinsed black-eyed peas into the slow cooker.

Step 3

Add the smoked ham hock or smoked turkey leg to the slow cooker for rich, smoky flavor.

Step 4

Add the diced onion, minced garlic, diced carrot, and diced celery to the slow cooker for an aromatic base.

Step 5

Pour in the chicken broth, ensuring the peas are fully submerged. If necessary, add a bit of water to cover.

Step 6

Drop in the bay leaf and sprinkle in the dried thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.

Step 7

Stir gently to distribute the seasonings evenly, but avoid disturbing the ham hock or turkey leg too much.

Step 8

Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to low heat.

Step 9

Cook for 8 hours, stirring occasionally if possible, until the black-eyed peas are tender and creamy. The meat from the ham hock or turkey leg should be falling off the bone.

Step 10

Once cooked, remove the ham hock or turkey leg. Shred the meat and discard any bones, then return the meat to the slow cooker.

Step 11

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, pepper, or cayenne for spice if desired.

Step 12

Serve warm as is, or ladle over cooked rice or alongside cornbread. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for added freshness if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2776.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1074.5

Total Fat 14.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 50mg	0%
Sodium 7031.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 164.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 43.6g	0%
Total Sugars 34.4g
Protein 75.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 536.8mg	0%
Iron 19.3mg	0%
Potassium 5080.1mg	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: 12.2%

Protein: 27.7%

Carbs: 60.1%