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Home » Recipes » Single Serving Side Dishes

By Joanie Zisk Published: Dec 20, 2018 · Updated: Dec 20, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links · Please read my disclosure

Easy Black Eyed Peas Recipe

Jump to Recipe
a brown bowl of black eyed peas on a brown table.

This Southern black eyed peas recipe is a New Year's Day tradition. Ready in minutes, these black eyed peas are seasoned with bacon, onions, and garlic. Bring good luck into your new year with this incredibly delicious single serving recipe!

Black Eyed Peas with Bacon, Onions, and Garlic in a bowl

In the south, black eyed peas are traditionally served on New Year's Day. The peas symbolize prosperity. They are said to deliver good luck because they resemble little coins. The swelling of the peas when cooked symbolizes our wealth expanding in the coming year.

I grew up eating black eyed peas along with a side of cabbage and cornbread on New Year's Day and I'm happy to be sharing this simple recipe with you today.

Why This Recipe Works

  • It's made with canned black eyed peas for convenience.
  • These black eyed peas are so incredibly delicious!
  • This recipe yields a small batch of black eyed peas, perfect for one or two people.

RELATED: Best Soup Recipes For One

Ingredient Notes

See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  • Bacon: Use 2 strips of bacon.
  • Onions and garlic: Finely chopped onions and garlic add quite a lot of flavor to this dish, definitely don't leave them out.
  • Black eyed peas: Use 1 (15-ounce) can of black eyed peas, rinsed and drained.
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How To Make This Recipe

When my kids were all living at home, I would make a big pot of black eyed peas on the stove and would use roughly a pound of peas. Since I no longer need to cook as much food, I use a much smaller amount. In fact, since I'm making the dish for one person, I find it easier to use this canned black eyed peas recipe instead.

  1. Begin by cooking together bacon, chopped onions, and minced garlic in a small saucepan.
  2. Add in the canned black eyed peas and simmer.
two pictures of black eyed peas in a pot

Expert Tips

  • Leave out the bacon if you'd like to make a vegetarian black eyed peas. Sauté only the chopped onions and garlic in oil before adding the peas.
  • This recipe will yield enough for two servings if served with a side dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Do I Serve With Black Eyed Peas?

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls For One
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Mini Irish Soda Bread
Beer Bread For One

Can I Use Dried Black Eyed Peas?

If you would like to use dried beans, you certainly can. You will only need about a quarter cup and the cooking time will be longer. The peas will need to be soaked either overnight or by using a quick-soak method. You can read all about those methods HERE.
After the peas have soaked, rinse and drain them and set the peas aside. Cook bacon and the vegetables in a medium sized pot and add the black eyed peas. Add enough water or broth to the pot to almost cover the peas. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 30 to 35 minutes or until peas are tender.

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients left over from this recipe, you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

  • Bacon: Pasta Carbonara, Potato Soup, Baked Beans
  • Onions: Beef Stew, Salisbury Steak, Lentil Stew
  • Garlic: Chicken Margherita, Buttered Noodles, Garlic Smashed Potatoes
  • Black eyed peas: Black Eyed Peas Hummus

RELATED: Comfort Food Recipes For One

For this recipe, I use a 2-qt. saucepan. For best results, use a pan of similar size. If you would like more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.

For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.

If you’ve tried these black eyed peas or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!

a small bowl of black eyed peas on a blue plate

Black Eyed Peas For One

Southern Black Eyed Peas recipe. Simple to make with canned black eyed peas and seasoned with bacon, onions, and garlic.
5 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
See the post above for expert tips,
FAQs and ways to use leftover ingredients.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Main
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 241kcal
Author: Joanie Zisk

Equipment

  • 2 quart saucepan

Ingredients

  • 2 strips bacon , cut into ½-inch pieces
  • ½ cup chopped onions
  • 1 clove garlic , minced
  • 1 (15-ounce) can black eyed peas , rinsed and drained
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Cook the bacon pieces in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat until crisp.
  • Add the chopped onions and minced garlic and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the black eyed peas to the onions and reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes.
  • Serve.

Notes

Expert Tips
  • Leave out the bacon if you'd like to make a vegetarian black eyed peas. Sauté only the chopped onions and garlic in oil before adding the peas.
  • This recipe will yield enough for two servings if served with a side dish.
Nutrition Facts
Black Eyed Peas For One
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 241 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 14mg5%
Sodium 132mg6%
Potassium 417mg12%
Carbohydrates 28g9%
Fiber 8g33%
Sugar 5g6%
Protein 12g24%
Vitamin C 3.9mg5%
Calcium 36mg4%
Iron 2.8mg16%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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About Joanie Zisk

Joanie Zisk is the creator of OneDishKitchen.com, the number one go-to site for single serving recipes. The aim of One Dish Kitchen is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul. Her website is filled with hundreds of easy, flavorful recipes that are tailored for those cooking for one. Joanie is the author of "The Ultimate Cooking For One Cookbook" and her recipes and food photography have been featured in various publications including, TODAY.com, Huffington Post, Real Simple, Self.com,Women’s Day, Buzzfeed, and others. Come say hello and follow Joanie on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Allison says

    January 02, 2021 at 6:22 am

    I am a Southern girl living in the Northeast & I wanted a quick, simple Black Eyed Peas recipe for New Years Day. This recipe did not disappoint & I would even serve it to my Southern family. We will be enjoying this dish more often for sure! Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Joanie Zisk says

      January 02, 2021 at 7:58 am

      I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Allison. Thank you so much for your feedback.

      Reply
  2. Hillary says

    January 01, 2021 at 8:33 pm

    Tasty way to eat black eyed peas! I loved how fast and easy this was to make.

    Reply
    • Joanie Zisk says

      January 02, 2021 at 7:59 am

      I'm so glad you enjoyed them. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know.

      Reply
  3. Yolanda says

    January 01, 2021 at 6:05 pm

    Hi, the recipe says to rinse and drain the canned beans, do we add any liquid after we add the beans to the sautéed onions etc...?

    Reply
    • Joanie Zisk says

      January 02, 2021 at 8:00 am

      No liquid is needed.

      Reply
    • Carol says

      January 04, 2021 at 1:56 pm

      I added 1/2 cup of chicken broth and some collard greens I had. Loved the pot likker it made and served it over white rice. Yum!

      Reply
  4. Lucy C Brenner says

    December 31, 2020 at 11:52 am

    It's New Years Eve, and I am having beans for my supper tomorrow. It sounds so good and I am over the rich food.
    Back to my simpler lifestyle! I've lost 55 pounds since the start of Covid, and have more to lose, so, back to my low intake, healthier lifestyle!

    Reply
  5. Teresa M Peeples says

    November 12, 2019 at 9:17 am

    Hi Joanie,

    I would like to try this recipe using fresh beans. What amount of beans should I use?

    Teresa

    Reply
    • Joanie Zisk says

      November 12, 2019 at 2:19 pm

      Hi Teresa,

      Use 1/4 cup of dried beans and also note that the cooking time will be longer. The peas will need to be soaked either overnight or by using a quick-soak method. You can read all about this method here - https://zagleft.com/quick-soak-beans/ .

      After the peas have soaked, rinse and drain them and set the peas aside. Cook bacon and the vegetables in a medium sized pot and add the black eyed peas. Add enough water or broth to the pot to almost cover the peas. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook for 30 to 35 minutes or until peas are tender.

      Joanie

      Reply
      • Kate says

        January 01, 2020 at 3:03 am

        Soaking your dried peas in beer really improves the flavor!!

  6. Nellie Tracy says

    December 29, 2018 at 9:19 pm

    This would be awesome to dip tortilla chips in! Looks so good!

    Reply
  7. Beth says

    December 29, 2018 at 5:40 pm

    Love love this - I am exploring a wider range of beans and grains and black eyed peas are one I haven't yet tried! Love the bacon in this.

    Reply
  8. Jenny Young says

    December 21, 2018 at 11:26 am

    Yum! This is how I dress up canned green beans. I'll need to try it with black eyed peas too. I think it would also be good served over riced cauliflower.

    Reply
    • Joanie Zisk says

      December 21, 2018 at 3:39 pm

      I bet riced cauliflower would be perfect with them. Great idea!

      Reply

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