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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 healthy 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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If you’ve tried this single serve black eyed peas recipe 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.
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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.
Hey Joanie, I want to make this for dinner are there any sides you’d recommend with it? My husband is from the South and never had this!! Im from the midwest and this is a staple for me! Thanks 🙂
Hi Leilah, I love serving cornbread and cabbage with black-eyed peas, especially for New Year’s day. We have a small batch cornbread recipe on our site and roasted cabbage and unstuffed cabbage rolls if those sound appealing to you.
Terrific recipe. This is also great with an equal amount of canned navy beans.
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!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Allison. Thank you so much for your feedback.
Tasty way to eat black eyed peas! I loved how fast and easy this was to make.
I’m so glad you enjoyed them. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know.
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…?
No liquid is needed.
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!
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!
Hi Joanie,
I would like to try this recipe using fresh beans. What amount of beans should I use?
Teresa
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
Soaking your dried peas in beer really improves the flavor!!
This would be awesome to dip tortilla chips in! Looks so good!
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.
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.
I bet riced cauliflower would be perfect with them. Great idea!