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These Southern black eyed peas with bacon are made using canned black eyed peas simmered with bacon, onion, and garlic for rich, homestyle flavor. This easy small batch black eyed peas recipe is ready in minutes and is perfectly sized to serve one generously or as a side for two.
Featured Comment
“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!”
– Allison
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This black eyed peas recipe uses canned beans, so it’s ready in minutes with no soaking required.
- Classic Southern Flavor: Bacon, onion, and garlic create a rich, homestyle taste.
- Perfectly Portioned: Makes the right amount to serve one generously or as a side for two.
- Nutritious Choice: Black eyed peas are a good source of protein and fiber.
Black eyed peas have always felt like more than just a side dish to me. Growing up in the South, they were a familiar presence on the table, especially around New Year’s, when a simple pot of peas carried the hope of good fortune and better days ahead. I still love that quiet tradition and the meaning behind it, even when I’m cooking just for myself or for the two of us now.
This small batch version keeps that spirit alive without making more than you need. The peas simmer gently with bacon, onions, and garlic, filling the kitchen with a comforting, familiar aroma. It’s the kind of recipe that feels grounding and satisfying, whether you’re welcoming the new year or just craving a simple, well-seasoned dish that tastes like home.
Carry this tradition to the table by pairing these black eyed peas with tender roasted cabbage or a single serving of unstuffed cabbage rolls. Serve with baked white rice and finish the meal with cornbread for one or a small batch of corn muffins for a classic Southern-style New Year’s spread.
Looking for more ideas? Browse our collection of single serving and small batch New Year’s recipes to round out your celebration.
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 smoky, rich flavor and help season the dish from the start. If you have extra bacon, use it in crack chicken for one, single serving broccoli salad, or a small crustless quiche lorraine.
- Onion and Garlic: Finely chopped to build flavor in the pot. These create the base of the dish, so don’t skip them.
- Black Eyed Peas: One 15-ounce can, rinsed and drained. Canned black eyed peas cook quickly and still absorb plenty of flavor. Extra peas can be used in a small batch of cowboy caviar.
Canned vs. Dried Black Eyed Peas
Both canned and dried black eyed peas work well, but they are used very differently.
Canned black eyed peas are fully cooked, which means they only need to be rinsed, drained, and heated. They are ideal for a quick black eyed peas recipe and make it easy to control portion size without soaking or long simmering times.
Dried black eyed peas must be soaked and cooked before using. They take significantly longer to prepare and require more liquid and seasoning. While dried peas can be used in larger batches, they are not necessary for this recipe.
For this small batch black eyed peas recipe, canned black eyed peas are the best choice because they are convenient, reliable, and ready to absorb flavor right away.
Recipe Variations
These simple variations let you change up this black eyed peas recipe using ingredients you may already have on hand.
- Spicy Black Eyed Peas: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few slices of jalapeño for heat.
- Herb Seasoned Black Eyed Peas: Stir in fresh or dried thyme or rosemary for a more aromatic flavor.
- Black Eyed Peas with Tomatoes: Add diced tomatoes for a slightly tangy, saucy finish.
- Black Eyed Peas with Sausage: Mix in cooked, sliced sausage to make the dish more filling.
- Vegetarian Black Eyed Peas: Skip the bacon and add smoked paprika to keep a smoky flavor.
How To Cook Black Eyed Peas Using Canned Beans
These step-by-step photos and instructions show exactly how to make this small batch black eyed peas recipe using canned beans. For ingredient amounts and full details, see the recipe card below.
I used to cook black eyed peas in large pots, but now I rely on canned black eyed peas for convenience and the right portion size. They cook quickly and absorb plenty of flavor, making them a great option for a smaller batch.
- Cook the bacon, onion, and garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat until the bacon is crisp and the onions are soft.
- Add the rinsed and drained black eyed peas and simmer until heated through and well seasoned.
Expert Tips
- Cook the onions and garlic in the bacon fat to build smoky, savory flavor.
- Season gradually and taste as you cook to avoid over-salting.
- Simmer gently over low heat so the black eyed peas heat through without breaking apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Canned black eyed peas are already cooked, so there is no soaking required. Simply rinse and drain before using.
Season them with aromatics like onion and garlic, and add flavor with bacon.
In Southern tradition, black eyed peas are believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the new year.
Because they are pre-cooked, canned black eyed peas only need about 10 to 15 minutes to heat through and absorb flavor.
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:
RELATED: Comfort Food Recipes For One
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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
- In a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp.
- Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion softens, about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the black eyed peas, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Transfer to a serving dish and serve warm.
Notes
- Cook the onions and garlic in the bacon fat to build smoky, savory flavor.
- Season gradually and taste as you cook to avoid over-salting.
- Simmer gently over low heat so the black eyed peas heat through without breaking apart.
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!