How To Cook Black Eyed Peas in Crock Pot

While traditional stovetop methods require constant monitoring, using a Crock-Pot or slow cooker simplifies the cooking process and infuses the black-eyed peas with rich flavors. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook black-eyed peas in the Crock Pot perfectly at home. This slow and steady method ensures tender and perfectly cooked black-eyed peas that are bursting with taste.

1. How To Cook Black-Eyed Peas in Crock Pot

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried black-eyed peas
• 4 cups water or vegetable broth
• 1 ham hock or ham bone
• 1 ½ cup diced ham
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• Optional: herbs, spices, or seasonings of your choice

Instructions

Soak & Rinse the Black-Eyed Peas

Soak your peas overnight. Fill the bowl with about two inches of water on top of the peas since they will expand. If any float to the top you can discard them. The next day, drain and rinse your peas.

Sauté the Aromatics

Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of oil. Next, add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic becomes fragrant. This step helps to enhance the flavors of the dish.

Combine Ingredients in the Crock-Pot

Drain the soaked black-eyed peas and transfer them to the Crock-Pot. Next, add  diced ham, ham hock, sautéed onion and garlic to the pot. Then pour in 4 cups of water or vegetable broth, ensuring that the liquid covers the peas.

Add the bay leaf and any additional herbs, spices, or seasonings of your choice. Popular options include smoked paprika, cumin, thyme, or a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Cook on Low Heat

Set the Crock-Pot to the low heat setting and cover it with the lid. Allow the black-eyed peas to cook for approximately 6 to 8 hours. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and the peas to become tender.

Season & Serve

Open the lid, remove the ham hock and set it aside to cool. Stir the peas and broth together. Once the ham is cool enough to handle, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces and stir it back into the peas.

Finally, remove the bay leaves and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional spices as needed before serving with cornbread, rice, or as a hearty side dish.

Cooking black-eyed peas in a Crock-Pot offers a convenient and hands-off method that results in tender and flavorful legumes. By following the simple recipe in this article, you can easy enjoy the black-eyed peas soup at home.