Spicy Black Eye Peas

6 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 30 m Total: 45 m Beginner
5.0/5 (1)
Spicy Black Eye Peas
Serve with freshly baked cornbread for the perfect New Year’s meal!
Happy New Year meal - Pork, Cabbage, Black-eyes! Traditional Southern good luck dish with bacon, tomatoes, bell pepper, and a kick of cumin and chili powder. Serve with freshly baked cornbread for the perfect New Year’s celebration.

Ingredients

6 servings
  • 1 (17 oz) can of black-eyed peas or 1 cup dry black-eyed peas, cooked (1 cup dry beans = 3 cups cooked)
  • 3 to 6 slices bacon
  • 1 (16 oz) can chopped tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup chopped onions
  • 1 large green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground mustard
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • red and/or black pepper to taste
  • chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Cook bacon in large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 8-10 minutes. Remove bacon, reserving drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon and set aside.
  2. Stir black-eyed peas, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, garlic, salt, cumin, dry mustard, chili powder and pepper into bacon drippings in skillet.
  3. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and flavors have melded.
  4. Pour mixture into serving dish. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon and fresh cilantro.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I use dried black-eyed peas instead of canned?

A: Absolutely! Use 1 cup dried black-eyed peas, which will yield about 3 cups cooked. Soak them overnight, then simmer for 45-60 minutes until tender before using in the recipe.

Q: Why are my black-eyed peas mushy?

A: If using canned peas, add them towards the end and simmer gently - they're already cooked and just need to heat through and absorb flavors. Overcooking will make them fall apart.

Tips and Techniques

Don’t drain the bacon drippings - they add essential flavor to the dish. Start with 3 slices of bacon if you want a lighter dish, or go up to 6 slices for richer flavor. Adjust the heat level to your preference by varying the amount of chili powder and black/red pepper.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • bacon: salt pork or ham hocks
  • fresh cilantro: fresh parsley or green onions
  • canned tomatoes: 2 cups fresh chopped tomatoes

Equipment Needed

  • large skillet or Dutch oven
  • knife and cutting board
  • serving dish

Historical Context

In Southern tradition, eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day brings good luck, with each pea representing a coin for prosperity. The tradition has deep roots in African American and Cajun cultures throughout Louisiana.