This Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas recipe is a flavorful, hearty dish that combines bacon, smoked ham, and aromatic spices with black-eyed peas. Cooked in the Instant Pot for a quick and easy meal, this dish is perfect for soul food lovers, holiday meals, or comforting weeknight dinners. The recipe is simple, with just a few ingredients like chicken stock, bay leaves, and cayenne pepper, making it a go-to for anyone looking for a satisfying and nutritious meal. Serve it with cornbread for the ultimate Southern comfort food experience. This recipe is great for meal prepping, family dinners, and pairing with other dishes like fried chicken or collard greens.

Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 4 strips thick-sliced bacon (cut into ½-inch pieces)
- 1 medium onion (diced small)
- 4 garlic cloves (sliced)
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (plus more for garnish)
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 8 ounces smoked ham (diced into ½-inch cubes)
- 2 cups water
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 pound dried black-eyed peas
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- Olive oil (for drizzling)
- Tabasco or hot pepper vinegar (to taste)
- Cornbread (optional, for serving)
Instructions:
- Sauté the Bacon and Aromatics: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the oil. Once hot, add the bacon, onion, and garlic to the pot. Cook, stirring frequently, for 6-8 minutes until the onion and garlic are lightly browned. Add the black pepper, cayenne, and garlic powder, and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring to coat everything in the spices.
- Add Liquids and Beans: Pour in the chicken stock, ham, water, bay leaves, and black-eyed peas. Stir to combine everything.
- Pressure Cook the Beans: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to Manual High Pressure for 25 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.
- Release the Pressure: Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, carefully vent the remaining pressure. Remove the bay leaves.
- Mash and Simmer: Stir in the salt, then use a potato masher to mash the peas to your desired consistency. Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode and let the peas simmer for 5 minutes or until they reach your desired thickness.
- Serve: Ladle the black-eyed peas into bowls, garnish with freshly cracked black pepper, a drizzle of olive oil, and Tabasco or hot pepper vinegar to taste. Serve with cornbread if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas recipe combines the rich, savory flavors of bacon, smoked ham, and aromatic spices with the heartiness of black-eyed peas. The Instant Pot makes cooking this traditional dish quick and easy, without sacrificing flavor. Perfect for soul food lovers or those looking for a comforting, flavorful meal, this dish is both satisfying and nutritious. It’s ideal for family dinners, holiday meals, or as a side dish to complement your favorite main courses.
Tips
- Mash for Texture: For a creamier consistency, mash the black-eyed peas until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier texture, mash lightly and leave some peas whole.
- Adjust the Spice: If you like your black-eyed peas spicier, add more cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce when serving.
- Let Them Rest: After cooking, let the black-eyed peas sit for a few minutes to absorb the flavors, making them even more delicious.
Variations and Substitutions
- Smoked Turkey: If you prefer a leaner option, substitute the smoked ham with smoked turkey for a similar flavor profile.
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the bacon and ham, and add extra vegetables like bell peppers, celery, or carrots for a vegetarian version of black-eyed peas.
- Beans: While black-eyed peas are traditional, you can use other legumes like pinto beans or kidney beans if desired.
FAQs
Can I use canned black-eyed peas? Yes, if you’re short on time, you can substitute canned black-eyed peas. Use about 4 cups of canned beans and reduce the cooking time to just 5 minutes under high pressure.
How can I store leftovers? Store leftover black-eyed peas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
Can I make this dish spicier? Yes, add more cayenne pepper or use hot sauce to spice it up to your taste.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve these Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas with a side of cornbread for a traditional Southern meal.
- Pair with fried chicken, collard greens, or mashed potatoes for a hearty soul food dinner.
- Use as a filling for burritos or tacos for a creative twist.
- Top with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of cheddar cheese for extra richness.
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
8
servings10
minutes55
minutesIngredients
2 tablespoons oil
4 strips thick-sliced bacon (cut into ½-inch pieces)
1 medium onion (diced small)
4 garlic cloves (sliced)
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (plus more for garnish)
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
4 cups chicken stock
8 ounces smoked ham (diced into ½-inch cubes)
2 cups water
3 bay leaves
1 pound dried black-eyed peas
1 ½ teaspoons salt
Olive oil (for drizzling)
Tabasco or hot pepper vinegar (to taste)
Cornbread (optional, for serving)
Directions
- Sauté the Bacon and Aromatics: Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and heat the oil. Once hot, add the bacon, onion, and garlic to the pot. Cook, stirring frequently, for 6-8 minutes until the onion and garlic are lightly browned. Add the black pepper, cayenne, and garlic powder, and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring to coat everything in the spices.
- Add Liquids and Beans: Pour in the chicken stock, ham, water, bay leaves, and black-eyed peas. Stir to combine everything.
- Pressure Cook the Beans: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to Manual High Pressure for 25 minutes. It will take about 10 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure.
- Release the Pressure: Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, carefully vent the remaining pressure. Remove the bay leaves.
- Mash and Simmer: Stir in the salt, then use a potato masher to mash the peas to your desired consistency. Turn the Instant Pot to sauté mode and let the peas simmer for 5 minutes or until they reach your desired thickness.
- Serve: Ladle the black-eyed peas into bowls, garnish with freshly cracked black pepper, a drizzle of olive oil, and Tabasco or hot pepper vinegar to taste. Serve with cornbread if desired.
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