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Southern Black Eyed Peas Close up of creamy Southern black-eyed peas with ham and green peppers, served with golden cornbread, warm and inviting comfort food scene

Southern Black-Eyed Peas

Tender, slow-cooked black-eyed peas with smoky turkey flavor make this Southern classic perfect for cozy dinners or holiday celebrations.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Soak Time 8 hours
Total Time 10 hours
Servings: 8
Course: Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, southern
Calories: 241
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb dry black-eyed peas rinsed and soaked overnight
  • 1 small yellow onion diced for sautéing
  • 1 green bell pepper diced for flavor
  • 3 garlic cloves minced finely
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil for sautéing vegetables
  • 1 Tablespoon butter unsalted, for richness
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning adds zesty flavor
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder for additional aroma
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder for savory depth
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika enhances smoky flavor
  • 6 cups chicken broth low-sodium preferred
  • 1 lb smoked turkey wings or substitute smoked turkey leg or ham hock

Method
 

  1. Place black-eyed peas in a colander and rinse thoroughly to remove debris. prep
  2. Transfer peas to a large bowl, cover with 2–3 inches of water, and refrigerate for 6–8 hours or overnight. prep
  3. Heat olive oil and butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat until melted and shimmering. prep
  4. Add onion and bell pepper to the pot and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. prep
  5. Add drained black-eyed peas to the pot along with salt, lemon pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. mix
  6. Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to medium-low and simmer for 1 hour 30 minutes. Stir occasionally and flip turkey wings 1–2 times during cooking. bake
  7. Mash some of the black-eyed peas against the side of the pot to thicken the broth. Simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes. finish
  8. Peel skin and shred meat from turkey wings. Return the meat to the pot and stir to combine. finish

Nutrition

Serving: 250ServingCalories: 241kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 15gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 966mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 7gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 400IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 3mg

Notes

This comforting Southern classic fills your home with warmth and smoky flavors. Perfect for celebrating New Year’s or gathering with family, every bite is a hug in a bowl.

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