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Southern Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas is a delicious, good old fashioned dish that is popular for New Year’s Day feasts. Eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s is a tradition, and is said to be lucky. Make a pot of pressure cooker black-eyed peas to ring in the New Year, or any time you want a super flavorful meal!
Southern Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is said to bring good luck. The swelling of the peas signifies prosperity. Cooked with pork, because pigs root forward, and served with greens, symbolizing money.
My Number 1 piece of advice for the BEST tasting Instant pot Southern Black-Eyed Peas is to make sure your ham hock (or whatever meat you use) is SMOKED.
The smoky flavor makes all the difference in the amazing flavor of this recipe!
do I need to Soak the black-eyed peas before cooking them?
No you don’t. These will cook pretty fast, so no soaking needed (but do rinse them well first).
If you do soak them, or use canned black-eyed peas, you can cut the cook time in half, though the ham hock will not get soft enough in that short amount of time.
I would start the ham hock cooking in some water, about 10 minutes, then cook the rest of the dish, adding the ham hock back in.
This is how my mom made black-eyed peas, and I love them!
Southern pressure cooker Black Eyed Peas can be made any time of the year. They are so delicious!
Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas
Instant Pot Collard Greens
Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
Instant Pot Cuban Black Beans
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If you make this delicious Southern pressure cooker black-eyed peas recipe, please leave me a comment and a star rating below. I would like to know how you liked them!
Southern Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 large Onion, chopped
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 6 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 lb Dry Black-Eyed Peas (rinsed & sorted)
- 1 lb Smoked Ham Hock (make sure it is smoked, for best flavor)
- 4 slices Thick Cut Smoky Bacon (chopped, uncooked)
- 5 cups Water
- 2 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon Ham Base (or Chicken. Low sodium)
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
Sauté the Aromatics
- Turn on the Sauté setting. When hot, add the oil and the onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion starts to turn translucent.1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 large Onion,
- Add the bay leaves and the garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, for 20 seconds.2 Bay Leaves, 6 cloves Garlic,
- Close the lid and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the pot. Cancel the sauté setting.1 lb Dry Black-Eyed Peas, 1 lb Smoked Ham Hock, 4 slices Thick Cut Smoky Bacon, 5 cups Water, 2 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon Ham Base, ¼ teaspoon Pepper
Pressure Cook
- Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button, and then the +/- button to select 16 minutes. High Pressure. Press Start if needed. The pot will take several minutes to come to pressure.
Natural Release
- When the cook cycle has finished, turn off the pot and let it sit undisturbed for a 15 minute natural release. Then turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to release the remaining pressure.
- When the pin in the lid drops back down, open the lid.
Finish and Serve
- Remove the bay leaves and discard. Then remove the ham hocks and get the meat off of the bones. Add the meat back into the pot.
- Taste and add a little salt, if needed.
- Serve alongside some cornbread. You can also serve over rice for a Hoppin' John style meal.
Notes
- This recipe can be made in a 3 qt by reducing ingredients by 1/3. Keep the cook time the same.
- This can be a "Dump and Start" recipe if you don't want to do the sautéing steps.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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How long would I cook frozen black eyed peas? I tend to like those better than dried. I’ll save this for another time since we’re out of town and I don’t have my instant pot with me!
I would just cut the cook time for them by about half. You can always add time if needed.
Great recipe, only thing is I def had to add 10 mins to cook time. Came out perfect. Thanks for sharing ❤️
Sometimes that happens. I think the beans are sometimes older than we know when we buy them, and older beans need more cook time.
Since we are only 2 persons in our household, could you please add to your recipes if we can freeze the leftovers ? To start with, can I freeze the left over of this recipe ?
Yes, these black-eyed peas freeze very well! Store cooled leftovers in airtight, freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat. Thanks for asking!
What should be done with FRESH black-eyed peas right from the garden?
Shell and rinse them first. Since fresh peas cook much faster than dried, I’d reduce the pressure cooking time to about 6–8 minutes, and reduce the water to approximately 3–4 cups, depending on the amount of fresh peas and how brothy you want the finished dish. I’d also pressure cook the ham hock separately for about 10–15 minutes first, then add the fresh peas and remaining ingredients. Otherwise, the ham hock may not have enough time to become tender. I haven’t tested this recipe with fresh peas, but that would be my approach!
Very delicious!
My wife said that this is now her favorite thing that I cook. I followed the directions exactly except I added some Tony’s. I add Tony’s to everything so it wasn’t because I think the recipe is lacking in any way. Thanks for this recipe!
Delicious! Literally “lick-the-bowl it’s so good! We didn’t make the collard greens, but will next time! Thank you for the recipe!
Do you use uncooked bacon?
Yes I do.
I soaked my beans overnight. Does that make a difference in my outcome?
Yes, they will need less cook time and less liquid.
Thanks for the recipe. This was my 1st Insta pot attempt and it came out very good thanks!
I got an Instant Pot from my mom for Christmas so wanted to use it. Normally I cook in a Crock Pot on low for 12 hours and this made even more tender beans but the ham hock did not become super tender with jelly soft skin like in the crock pot. So I think may have to go back to slow cooker or use only bacon instead.
You can pressure cook the ham hock first, then add the peas, etc. and make the recipe as stated. I have had to do this with really tough hamhocks.
Try cooking the hock first. I normally cook it on high pressure for 20 minutes then compete the recipe S decribed