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Black eyed peas are a Southern staple and a cherished New Year’s Day tradition. This recipe combines tender black eyed peas with smoky bacon, sweet onions, and garlic for a comforting and flavorful dish. Perfect for ringing in the new year or enjoying a taste of Southern comfort any time, this quick and easy recipe is packed with tradition and great taste.
Bring good fortune to your New Year’s table by serving these flavorful black eyed peas with either tender, caramelized Roasted Cabbage or hearty Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls along with a side of white rice. Complete the meal with warm Cornbread or fluffy Corn Muffins for a delicious Southern-inspired feast.
Check out our collection of single serving and small batch New Year’s recipes, perfect for your celebration!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This quick black eyed peas recipe uses canned black eyed peas, making it ready in minutes.
- Rich Flavor: Bacon, onions, and garlic create a delicious homestyle taste.
- Perfectly Portioned: Just the right amount for one or two people.
- Nutritious: A good source of protein and fiber.
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In Southern traditions, black eyed peas are a staple of New Year’s Day, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. Their swelling as they cook represents growing wealth, while their coin-like shape adds to their reputation as a symbol of abundance.
Our canned black eyed peas recipe is a simple, flavorful take on this classic dish, featuring bacon, onions, and garlic for a rich and satisfying taste. It’s perfectly portioned to serve one generously or to share as a side dish for two. Whether enjoyed on New Year’s or any day of the year, it’s a delicious nod to Southern comfort food.
Why Use Canned Black Eyed Peas
Canned black eyed peas are a convenient and time-saving option for this recipe. They’re pre-cooked, so all you need to do is open, rinse, and add them to your dish.
Benefits:
- Quick and Easy: No soaking or long cooking times.
- Consistent Quality: Reliable flavor and texture every time.
- Year-Round Availability: Enjoy black eyed peas anytime, regardless of the season.
- Nutritional Value: Retains most nutrients, making them a nutritious choice.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch black eyed peas recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Bacon: Two strips add a smoky depth of flavor. Leftover bacon? Use it in recipes like Crack Chicken, Broccoli Salad, or a Crustless Quiche Lorraine.
- Onion and Garlic: Finely chopped for a flavorful foundation.
- Black Eyed Peas: A 15-ounce can, rinsed and drained, is the star of this dish. Extra black eyed peas can be used in a small batch of Cowboy Caviar.
Recipe Variations
Try these easy variations to add new flavors and make this simple black eyed peas recipe your own:
- Spicy: Add cayenne pepper or sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
- Herb-Infused: Stir in rosemary or thyme for extra flavor.
- With Tomatoes: Mix in diced tomatoes for a tangy touch.
- With Sausage: Add cooked, diced sausage for a heartier dish.
- Vegetarian: Omit the bacon and use smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
How To Cook Black Eyed Peas
These photos and instructions help you visualize how to cook a small batch of canned black eyed peas. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
When my kids were living at home, I used to make a big pot of black eyed peas with a whole pound of peas. Now that I don’t need such large batches, I use canned black eyed peas for their convenience and perfectly portioned size. Here’s how I make it:
- Cook the Bacon and Aromatics: In a small saucepan, fry the bacon with chopped onions and minced garlic until the bacon is crispy and the onions are softened.
- Simmer the Black Eyed Peas: Stir in the rinsed and drained black eyed peas and let everything simmer together until heated through and flavorful.
Expert Tips
- Use the Bacon Fat: Cook the onions and garlic in the rendered bacon fat for rich, smoky flavor.
- Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper gradually, tasting as you go to get it just right.
- Simmer Gently: Keep the heat low to let the flavors blend without overcooking the peas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but you’ll need to soak and cook them first, which adds time to the recipe.
Absolutely! Skip the bacon and use a dash of smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Yes, freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Yes, simply double the ingredients to serve more people.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
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Small Batch Black Eyed Peas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 strips bacon -cut into ½-inch pieces
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- 1 (15-ounce) canned black eyed peas -rinsed and drained
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: In a 2-quart saucepan, cook the bacon pieces over medium heat until crispy.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the pan. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften.
- Simmer the Peas: Stir in the black eyed peas and reduce the heat to low. Let them cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend the flavors.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and enjoy!
Notes
- Use the Bacon Fat: Cook the onions and garlic in the rendered bacon fat for rich, smoky flavor.
- Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper gradually, tasting as you go to get it just right.
- Simmer Gently: Keep the heat low to let the flavors blend without overcooking the peas.
Nutrition
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.
How would I make this using frozen black eyed peas?
Frozen black-eyed peas will need to be cooked first before using them in this recipe since they aren’t pre-cooked like canned peas.
How many ounces of black eyed peas if they’re previously frozen?
I would suggest using about 10 ounces of frozen and cooked black eyed peas.
Simply wonderful.
I drained and rinsed my beans. After sautéing the onions in bacon grease I added jalapeños diced, garlic , bacon the black eyed peas. Then I added some ham broth I had in to the mixture. Brought to a boil. Then simmered without a lid for 10/15 min until it cooked down stirring occasionally. Mmmmm good
BLACK EYED PEAS: Do not make my blunder by using precooked bacon – not enough fat or flavor; canned b-e-p s had zero flavor, so “season-as-you-go” is a understatement. Sorry, new at cooking for one.
Trappey’s Blackeye Peas flavored with bacon are flavorful and good. We buy them at Walmart.
There is no liquid in this recipe-is there an omission?
There is no need for liquid in this recipe, you are simply heating up the canned black eyed peas. Cooking the bacon in the pan yields enough drippings to saute the onions and garlic. The black eyed peas are then heated in the mixture.
I drained and rinsed the black eyed placed then in the pan with the other ingredients. Is you like your peas similar to soup add chicken broth. Is you like them thicker don’t add any liquid. Sprinkler cayenne and simmered. Happy New Year
Easy and delicious! I think my garlic clove was too big. I added a couple tablespoons of canned collard greens for color. Will checkout more of your recipes. Happy New Year!