This easy Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas recipe is super rich & flavorful, with smokey bacon, pimento, & spices that give the tender peas a kick!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
If you're a southerner, in a couple of weeks, you're going to need an easy recipe for black eyed peas. Don't use the canned stuff - make this super simple, amazingly flavorful recipe instead!
There's no need to soak the black-eyed peas here. They're a really easy bean to cook in the pressure cooker and, when you add a couple of staple ingredients, they're rich and spicy with a really smokey flavor that is absolutely delicious.
Ingredients & Variations
(See recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient measurements.)
- bacon
- ham
- jarred diced pimento
- onion
- garlic
- dry black-eyed peas
- salt
- pepper
- cayenne pepper
- bay leaves
- smoked paprika
- chicken stock or chicken broth
- tomato paste
Variations
- Make this a vegan and vegetarian dish by leaving out the ham & bacon and using vegetable broth instead of chicken stock.
- I didn't include a ham hock in the recipe because they can be intimidating and hard to find, and I wanted to make this one easy. However, if you have one on hand, throw it in with the peas - it will give your black-eyed peas a ton of flavor!
Want more simple, delicious side dishes? You'll love this recipe for Baked Okra or these Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes!
How to Make Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Step 1: Cook bacon and ham.
Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Once hot, add chopped bacon and diced ham.
Cook bacon and ham for 8-10 minutes, until some of the bacon fat is rendered. Turn off the heat and remove all but about 2 tablespoons of fat from the pot.
Cooking Tip
If you have browned bits starting to stick to the bottom of the pot, pour a splash of chicken broth into the pan and scrape up the bits with a wooden spoon. The pot won't pressure cook with food stuck to the bottom of the pan. Plus, those yummy browned bits will give your black-eyed peas a ton of smokey flavor.
Step 2: Add onion and pimento.
Add diced onion and pimento to the pot. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until the onion starts to turn translucent.
Step 3: Add Remaining Ingredients and pressure cook.
Add the remaining ingredients to the pot; stir well. Lock on the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual, high pressure, 10 minutes.
Once the cook cycle is over, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10-15 minutes. Manually release the remaining pressure and stir the peas.
Cooking Ratio
Even if you don't use this specific recipe, just remember to use 1 cup of dried black-eyed peas to 3 cups of water or other liquid when cooking in a pressure cooker. You'll notice I used 2 cups in the recipe - when you add in the liquid from the onion, pimento, and garlic, I had to reduce it a little. If you're cooking just peas, go with 3 cups!
Leftovers & Storage
Store your black-eyed peas in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This dish is best enjoyed within 3-4 days of cooking the peas. When you're ready to eat the leftovers, microwave for about 30 seconds per serving or reheat the entire portion of leftovers on the stove top over medium-low heat.
Can I freeze black-eyed peas?
Yes, this freezes well! Simply store in a freezer bag or an airtight container and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw the peas in the fridge when you're ready to enjoy them.
Pair this dish with my French Onion Chicken and Bacon Wrapped Green Beans for a great weeknight meal!
More Expert Tips & Tricks
- I do recommend giving your dried peas a quick rinse before adding to the Instant Pot; make sure there is no dirt!
- This is a delicious dish when served over rice. It also goes well with cornbread or collard greens - the traditional New Year's Day meal!
- If your black-eyed peas leftovers get a little thick, you can always add a few tablespoons of water or chicken stock when reheating.
- You can double this recipe and freeze an extra batch for later.
Have a fantastic New Year - I hope this black-eyed peas recipe brings you a little bit of luck! If you make it, I'd love to hear what you think. Leave a ⭐️ rating or comment below, or tag me 📸 on social media (@lambertslately).
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Affiliate links used.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 oz bacon chopped into 1" pieces
- 1 cup diced ham
- 4 oz jarred diced pimento
- 1 onion diced small
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 cup dry black eyed peas
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 3 oz tomato paste
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to saute mode. Once hot, add chopped bacon and diced ham.
- Cook bacon and ham for 8-10 minutes, until some of the bacon fat is rendered. Turn off the heat and remove all but about 2 tablespoons of fat from the pot.
- Add diced onion and pimento to the pot. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until onion starts to turn translucent.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the pot; stir well. Lock on the lid and set the Instant Pot to manual, high pressure, 10 minutes.
- Once the cook cycle is over, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10-15 minutes. Manually release the remaining pressure and stir the peas.
Notes
-
- I do recommend giving your dried peas a quick rinse before adding to the Instant Pot; make sure there is no dirt!
- This is a delicious dish when served over rice. It also goes well with cornbread or collard greens - the traditional New Year's Day meal!
- If your black-eyed peas leftovers get a little thick, you can always add a few tablespoons of water or chicken stock when reheating.
- Even if you don't use this specific recipe, just remember to use 1 cup of dried black-eyed peas to 3 cups of water or other liquid when cooking in a pressure cooker. You'll notice I used 2 cups in the recipe - when you add in the liquid from the onion, pimento, and garlic, I had to reduce it a little. If you're cooking just peas, go with 3 cups!
- You can double this recipe and freeze an extra batch for later!
- If you have browned bits starting to stick to the bottom of the pot, pour a splash of chicken broth into the pan and scrape up the bits with a wooden spoon. The pot won't pressure cook with food stuck to the bottom of the pan. Plus, those yummy browned bits will give your black-eyed peas a ton of smokey flavor.
Do you have to use the instant pot? Can you use a crockpot and adjust the time? I like the flavor combo used in the recipe but don't own a pressure cooker.
You definitely can! You'll need to saute your bacon, ham, onion, and pimento on the stovetop before adding to the Crock Pot. After you add those, add the rest of the ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Hope you love it!