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30+ Easy Recipes with Black-Eyed Peas

30+ Easy Recipes with Black-Eyed Peas

Updated March 17, 2020

Credit: Joseph De Leo; Styling: Thom Driver

Famous for their New Year’s Day presence and supposed lucky qualities, black-eyed peas are way more than an end-of-the-year bean. Their low price and accessibility make them a useful ingredient on their own, but pair them with ham hocks, corn salsa, or even a kale salad, and they become a tasty, well-rounded meal. We love these Southern peas for their creamy texture and quick cook time, but their high fiber and protein content are definitely an added bonus. Here are dozens of ways to enjoy black-eyed peas more than one time a year.

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Smoky Black-Eyed Peas

Credit: Jennifer CAusey, Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Smoky Black-Eyed Peas Recipe

Serve these black-eyed peas with collard greens and cornbread for a Southern New Year's feast. All 3 dishes symbolize good fortune; they're also just plain delicious. If you can't find a ham hock, substitute a smoked turkey leg or wing. Add cooked peas to stews or salsa, or sauté with rice, garlic, and bell pepper for hoppin' John. Use leftover ham hock meat as a flavoring agent for greens, beans, and broths. This recipe goes with: Seared Grouper with Black-Eyed Pea Relish, Black-Eyed Pea-Stuffed Acorn Squash

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Hoppin’ John Casserole

Credit: Antonis Achilles; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay Clark

Hoppin’ John Casserole Recipe

Get all your New Year’s good luck in one dish with this casserole full of bacon, peas, rice, and collards. The mixture of soft rice with tooth collards and peas, plus chopped bacon makes for a nice variety of textures. It’s great on its own, but it’s also a great side dish for fried chicken or pork chops.

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Black-Eyed Pea-Stuffed Acorn Squash

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Black-Eyed Pea-Stuffed Acorn Squash Recipe

Cutting the squashes crosswise instead of from top to bottom is easier, and they take up less space in the baking dish. Trim the ends so the halves sit flat and don't wobble.

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Instant Pot Hoppin' John

Credit: Kelsey Hansen

Instant Pot Hoppin' John Recipe

Use your instant pot to make a Hoppin' John dish that is so hearty and flavorful, the promise of luck when eaten on New Years is merely an added bonus. The old Southern tradition says that each person should eat one pea per year for good luck and posterity. You've got everyone covered with this fast, delicious go-to recipe.

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Black-Eyed Pea Salad

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Black-Eyed Pea Salad Recipe

Sides and Salads. "Organic tomatoes bring the best flavor to this vegetarian dish. I pick them straight from my garden, but you can substitute canned diced tomatoes." —Judy Holder, Elk City, Okla.

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Ham-and-Greens Pot Pie with Cornbread Crust

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Karin Olsen

Ham-and-Greens Pot Pie with Cornbread Crust Recipe

From bacon to carnitas to BBQ, pork has hit prime time nationally. This recipe featuring ham and the Southern staples greens and cornbread continues to be a go-to dinner for our food editors.

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Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip

Credit: Antonis Achilleos

Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip Recipe

This cheesy appetizer will be the talk of any game day gathering. We took the ingredients in Texas caviar (a classic chilled Southern dip made with black-eyed peas) and turned them into a warm and gooey multi-layered dip topped with diced tomatoes, zesty cilantro, and spicy jalapeños. Best of all, Creamy Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip can be made in advance. Prepare the dip through Step 2 (omit preheating the oven) and chill the dish, covered, overnight. Let the dip stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking and add 10 minutes to the covered bake time. Top the dip as directed in Step 4. Serve with cold beer and plenty of your favorite tortilla or pita chips for dipping. Before you know it, this dip will become your new signature dish for game day parties or any get-together with family and friends!

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Black-eyed Pea Cakes with Corn Salsa

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Black-eyed Pea Cakes with Corn Salsa Recipe

We've turned two Southern sides, black-eyed peas and greens, into a substantial vegetarian meal if you serve the cakes with our Sauteed Tomato Onion Kale. Form the cakes and make the salsa a couple of days ahead, and refrigerate; then simply sear the cakes and serve. Have your game plan set out before cooking by planning to saute the kale while the cakes cook and while the corn cooks, prep the tomato mixture. You could also substitute black beans or Great Northern beans for the black-eyed peas.

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Hoppin' John Noodle Bowls

Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Hoppin' John Noodle Bowls Recipe

Serve straight from the stove, and let guests garnish their own bowls.

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Black-Eyed Pea Ranchero Sauce

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller; Food Styling: Katelyn Hardwick

Black-Eyed Pea Ranchero Sauce Recipe

Try this spicy sauce instead of the usual tartar sauce next time you fry catfish. With 1 cup of chopped onion and ½ cup chopped jalapeño pepper, it is bound to leave an impression on you and your guests. Cook canned black-eyed peas with the onion and the jalapeño, stir in tomatoes and seasonings, and simmer until tomato juice is slightly thickened. Make it a couple of days in advance so all the flavors can meld together. Amp up this recipe a bit by adding chopped, seared, Andouille sausage and serving over rice.

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Black-Eyed Pea Fritter Sandwiches with Slaw

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Black-Eyed Pea Fritter Sandwiches with Slaw Recipe

Tuck the crunchy red cabbage slaw into the pita bread, or serve it as a side salad.

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Tomato and Black-eyed Pea Relish Crostini

Credit: Greg DuPree; Styling: Mindi Shapiro

Tomato and Black-eyed Pea Relish Crostini Recipe

Feature fresh summer tomatoes in this bright, butter-brushed crostini for a party starter that is made in less than 20 minutes. Complemented by a cream cheese spread, vinegar, and chives, the cherry tomatoes star in this refreshing snack.

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Hoppin' John Cakes with Tomato-Jalapeño Gravy

Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Hoppin' John Cakes with Tomato-Jalapeño Gravy Recipe

We suggest cooking rice one to two days ahead of time so it has time to dry out.

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Peas and Kale Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Vanessa McNeil Rocchio

Peas and Kale Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette Recipe

Ensure that 2015 is a lucky and prosperous year when you serve this hearty Southern salad for your New Year's Day festivities.

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Chicken Tortellini Salad

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Chicken Tortellini Salad Recipe

This pasta salad with chicken and fresh vegetables makes a quick and delicious summer dinner and an even better lunch for the next day. Get a jump on meal planning and prep this recipe a day in advance. Make and refrigerate the basil vinaigrette (shake it well before dressing the salad). Mix the tortellini, shredded rotisserie chicken, tomatoes, black-eyed peas, and corn in a large bowl; cover and refrigerate. When you are ready to serve the salad, dress the tortellini mixture with the dressing, stir in arugula, and top with toasted pecans. Get in the habit of toasting nuts every time you use them; toasting adds a depth of flavor and a wonderful aroma, as well as improving the texture of nuts so they stay crisp on top of salads or baked into breads and cookies. Toast several cups of nuts at one time, store in freezer-safe containers in the freezer, then pull out the amount you need when cooking. This salad recipe works well with whatever vegetables you have in your refrigerator or garden. Zucchini and yellow squash, bell peppers, heirloom tomatoes, and blanched snow peas are delicious dressed with the basil vinaigrette; just use your imagination. If arugula isn’t available, use baby spinach leaves, instead. Keep a bottle of the basil vinaigrette in the refrigerator this summer and, along with dressing your favorite greens use it over grilled chicken and fish.

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Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemony Greens and Grains

Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemony Greens and Grains Recipe

This healthy, hearty skillet supper is easy enough for a weeknight meal but special enough for dinner with company. Regular farro can take 30 minutes to cook. To cut down on cook time, look for 10 Minute Farro at Trader Joe’s or Simply Balanced microwavable farro at Target.

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Black-Eyed Pea Patties with Garlic Pepper Salsa

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Melanie J. Clarke

Black-Eyed Pea Patties with Garlic Pepper Salsa Recipe

Black-eyed peas were introduced in the Caribbean by African slaves. Somewhat drier than other legumes, they are ivory-gray in color with a black "eye" at the inner curve. They go by many names, including gungo and pigeon peas. These patties can be shaped an hour in advance; cover and refrigerate.

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Black-eyed Pea Hummus

Credit: Oxmoor House

Black-eyed Pea Hummus Recipe

You can find this hummus in my fridge 24/7—it takes just five minutes to make. Once you’ve done it, you’ll forget about buying those pricey small containers at the store. Instead of chickpeas, I like subbing a classic Southern ingredient, black-eyed peas, which yields a hummus that is a bit darker in color and also nuttier in taste—both of which I find to be incredibly delicious.

For the health-conscious among your guests, you can serve this alongside some cut up carrots, celery, peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes. It’s also nice to indulge with whole-grain crackers or some warmed toasted pita bread, sliced into triangles for dipping.

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Black-Eyed Pea Soup

Credit: Oxmoor House

Black-Eyed Pea Soup Recipe

Add bacon, garlic and chiles to a classic soup recipe and you get this delicious variation!

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Black-Eyed Pea Pâté

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Black-Eyed Pea Pâté Recipe

A touch of salty country ham and shiitake mushrooms adds deep flavor to this earthy, creamy Southern spread.

Make Ahead: Make and chill recipe up to 2 days ahead.

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Black-Eyed Pea Dip

Credit: Oxmoor House

Black-Eyed Pea Dip Recipe

This dip is yummy with warm and crispy tortilla chips.

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Shrimp and Black-Eyed Pea Salad

Credit: Ryan Benyl; Styling: Stephana Bottom

Shrimp and Black-Eyed Pea Salad Recipe

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Hot-and-Spicy Black-Eyed Peas

Hot-and-Spicy Black-Eyed Peas Recipe

Bake Buttermilk Cornbread after adding rice to the slow cooker.

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Mom's Lucky Black-eyed Peas

Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Mom's Lucky Black-eyed Peas Recipe

For convenience, look for a 12-oz. package of sliced salt pork from Hormel. You'll need three slices.

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Shrimp and Hoppin' John Salad

Credit: Jean Allsopp

Shrimp and Hoppin' John Salad Recipe

Hoppin' John always combines black-eyed peas and rice. Although eating it on New Year's Day is said to bring good luck, it's a beloved side dish year-round.

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Hoppin' John Hush Puppies

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Annette Joseph

Hoppin' John Hush Puppies Recipe

A Lowcountry classic is transformed into a crispy, satisfying fritter.

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Black-Eyed Pea-and-Seafood Salad

Credit: Howard L. Puckett; Styling: Cindy Manning Barr

Black-Eyed Pea-and-Seafood Salad Recipe

Unlike the canned version, fresh black-eyed peas are crunchy and packed with flavor. You can also substitute crowder, purple-hull, or pink-eye peas, or any other small, beanlike peas.

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Black-Eyed Peas and Greens

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Black-Eyed Peas and Greens Recipe

Serve over hot cooked long-grain white or brown rice. Frozen black-eyed peas are economical and available year-round, but in the summer months, you can use fresh shelled peas, if you prefer.

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Spicy Black-Eyed Peas

Credit: Oxmoor House

Spicy Black-Eyed Peas Recipe

Freeze your summer bounty of black-eyed peas for fresh flavor in the fall. Reduce the amount of hot sauce and finely chopped jalapeño pepper to mellow out the spicy flavor, if you desire.

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Hoppin' John Salad

Hoppin' John Salad Recipe

Savor a salad version of the traditional Southern black-eyed pea and rice dish that is often served on New Year's Day to ensure good luck in the coming year.

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Black-Eyed Pea Cakes and Beer-Braised Turnip Greens

Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Cindy Barr

Black-Eyed Pea Cakes and Beer-Braised Turnip Greens Recipe

You could serve this hearty dish on New Year's Day for prosperity and good fortune.

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Spicy Turkey Sausage With Black-Eyed Peas and Spinach

Credit: Leo Gong; Styling: Karen Shinto

Spicy Turkey Sausage With Black-Eyed Peas and Spinach Recipe

Time: 20 minutes. This one-pan dinner is a fast way to satisfy a hungry family on a chilly day. Feel free to substitute any type of sausage you prefer.

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Festive Good Luck Cornbread Skillet

Credit: Oxmoor House

Festive Good Luck Cornbread Skillet Recipe

Start your new year right with black-eyed peas for good luck, as well as collards for a dose of good health, with this 1998 National Cornbread Cook-off first-place winner from Karen Shankles of Knoxville, Tennessee.

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Black-Eyed Pea and Tomato Salsa

Credit: Joseph De Leo; Styling: Thom Driver

Black-Eyed Pea and Tomato Salsa Recipe

Adding the inner veins and seeds from the chile will increase the heat in this salsa.

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30+ Easy Recipes with Black-Eyed Peas

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Smoky Black-Eyed Peas

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Hoppin’ John Casserole

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Black-Eyed Pea-Stuffed Acorn Squash

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Instant Pot Hoppin' John

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Black-Eyed Pea Salad

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Ham-and-Greens Pot Pie with Cornbread Crust

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Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip

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Black-eyed Pea Cakes with Corn Salsa

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Hoppin' John Noodle Bowls

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Black-Eyed Pea Ranchero Sauce

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Black-Eyed Pea Fritter Sandwiches with Slaw

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Tomato and Black-eyed Pea Relish Crostini

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Hoppin' John Cakes with Tomato-Jalapeño Gravy

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Peas and Kale Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

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Chicken Tortellini Salad

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Pan-Seared Salmon with Lemony Greens and Grains

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Black-Eyed Pea Patties with Garlic Pepper Salsa

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Black-eyed Pea Hummus

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Black-Eyed Pea Soup

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Black-Eyed Pea Pâté

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Black-Eyed Pea Dip

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Shrimp and Black-Eyed Pea Salad

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Hot-and-Spicy Black-Eyed Peas

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Mom's Lucky Black-eyed Peas

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Shrimp and Hoppin' John Salad

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Hoppin' John Hush Puppies

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