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Black Eyed Peas are not just a staple dish in Southern cuisine, but a cherished New Year’s Day tradition. In this recipe, tender black eyed peas are combined with smoky bacon, sweet onions, and garlic, creating a comforting and nutritious dish. Whether you’re celebrating the new year or simply craving a taste of Southern hospitality, this quick and easy recipe brings good luck and great flavor to your kitchen.
Boost your New Year’s luck by pairing these savory black eyed peas with either tender, caramelized Roasted Cabbage or hearty, flavorful Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls and a side of white rice. Round off the meal with warm, crumbly Cornbread or light, fluffy Corn Muffins for a truly satisfying meal.
Explore our collection of single serving and small batch New Year recipes, perfect for festive celebrations!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe
- Why Are Black Eyed Peas Traditional For New Years Day?
- Ingredient Notes
- Recipe Variations
- The Benefits Of Using Canned Black Eyed Peas
- How To Cook Black Eyed Peas
- Expert Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
- Black Eyed Peas For One Recipe
Why You’ll Love This Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe
- Quick and Convenient: Ready in just a few minutes using canned black eyed peas.
- Flavorful and Comforting: With a mix of bacon, onions, and garlic, each bite is a delightful blend of homestyle flavors.
- Ideal Serving Size: Perfectly portioned for one or two people.
- Nutritious: Packed with protein and fiber for a healthy meal.
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Why Are Black Eyed Peas Traditional For New Years Day?
In Southern traditions, black eyed peas are synonymous with New Year’s Day. The peas are believed to bring good fortune; their swelling when cooked is seen as a symbol of expanding wealth in the year ahead. Additionally, their coin-like appearance boosts their status as a symbol of prosperity.
Ingredient Notes
If you have any ingredients leftover from this easy black eyed peas recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Bacon: Include 2 strips of bacon for a smoky depth of flavor. If you have extra bacon, consider using it in Crack Chicken, Broccoli Salad, or a Crustless Quiche Lorraine.
- Onions and Garlic: Finely chopped, they are essential for a rich flavor profile in this dish.
- Black Eyed Peas: Use a 15-ounce can, thoroughly rinsed and drained, to form the base of this recipe. Consider using leftover black eyed peas to make a small batch of Cowboy Caviar.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy Black Eyed Peas: Add a dash of cayenne pepper or a few slices of jalapeño for a warming kick.
- Herb-Infused Black Eyed Peas: Stir in some rosemary or thyme for an aromatic twist.
- Black Eyed Peas with Tomatoes: Mix in chopped tomatoes for a tangy flavor dimension.
- Black Eyed Peas and Sausage: Incorporate cooked, diced sausage for extra heartiness.
- Vegetarian Black Eyed Peas: Skip the bacon and add a dash of smoked paprika.
The Benefits Of Using Canned Black Eyed Peas
In our fast-paced world, convenience in the kitchen is a treasure, and that’s where canned black eyed peas shine. For this recipe, using canned peas is a game changer. They’re pre-cooked and ready to use, which slashes cooking time and effort. Just open, rinse, and they’re recipe-ready!
Here are the key advantages:
- Efficiency: Eliminates the need for soaking and lengthy cooking, ideal for speedy meal prep.
- Reliable Quality: Provides consistent flavor and texture, ensuring your dish is always a hit.
- Always Available: As a non-seasonal option, canned peas let you enjoy this dish any time of the year.
- Healthy Choice: Canned black eyed peas retain most of their nutritional value, making them a healthy addition to your meals.
- Versatility: They can be used in a variety of recipes, not just this one, offering you flexibility in your cooking.
How To Cook Black Eyed Peas
These photos and instructions help you visualize how to cook a small batch of black eyed peas. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
Back when my kids were still living at home, I’d whip up a large pot of black eyed peas using about a pound of peas. Now, with less need for big batches, I’ve shifted to a smaller quantity. For a single serving, I find using canned black eyed peas much more convenient and perfectly portioned for individual meals. This adjustment aligns well with those seeking smaller, easy-to-prepare recipes.
- Start by frying the bacon, chopped onions, and minced garlic together in a small saucepan.
- Then, stir in the canned black eyed peas and let them simmer.
Expert Tips
- Bacon Fat Magic: Make sure to cook the onions and garlic in the rendered bacon fat for an extra flavor boost.
- Seasoning Balance: Taste as you go to find the perfect balance of salt and pepper.
- Gentle Simmer: Let the peas simmer gently to meld the flavors without turning mushy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, just soak and cook them before using in the recipe.
Omit the bacon and use smoked paprika or liquid smoke for a similar flavor profile.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Absolutely! Just double the ingredients for more servings.
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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Black Eyed Peas For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 strips bacon , cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- 1 (15-ounce) canned black eyed peas , rinsed and drained
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
- Bacon Fat Magic: Make sure to cook the onions and garlic in the rendered bacon fat for an extra flavor boost.
- Seasoning Balance: Taste as you go to find the perfect balance of salt and pepper.
- Gentle Simmer: Let the peas simmer gently to meld the flavors without turning mushy.
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!