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This slow cooker black-eyed pea recipe is everything you want in a comforting dish. Slow-cooked to perfection with smoky bacon, a hearty ham bone, and savory onion, these peas soak up every ounce of rich, Southern flavor. Whether you’re serving them for good luck on New Year’s Day or making a hearty meal the whole family will love, this recipe is simple, no fuss, and sure to bring everyone back for seconds!
I’ve always loved black-eyed peas. They’ve been a staple for a good Sunday dinner and one I especially make sure to cook for good luck on New Year’s Day—it’s just a tradition in my house. But I’ve also learned over the years how important it is to have options for cooking them.
I’ll never forget when I was first married and put a pot of black-eyed peas on the stove, only to get caught up working outside in the yard. By the time I came back in, all the liquid had soaked out, and I was left with burnt peas. That lesson stuck with me. Over the last 30 years, I’ve grown in my cooking skills, but I’ve also come to appreciate the beauty of the slow cooker. It’s perfect for days when I know I’ll be busy and don’t want to babysit a stovetop pot. This slow cooker recipe takes all the stress out of cooking black-eyed peas and guarantees a perfect pot every time.
Nikki’s Recipe Rundown
- Taste: Smoky, savory, and rich thanks to the bacon, ham, and seasonings.
- Texture: Perfectly tender peas that melt in your mouth with plenty of hearty broth.
- Ease: Toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic.
- Pros: No pre-soaking, hands-off cooking, and it feeds a crowd.
- Considerations: Be patient and keep the lid closed to let those peas cook through.
- Recipe Repeatability: Absolutely! Perfect for New Year’s Day or any time you need a warm, cozy bowl of goodness.
You will also love my Southern Stovetop Black-Eyed Peas or Black-Eyed Peas in the Instant Pot recipes
Ingredients for Southern Black-Eyed Peas in the Slow Cooker
- Dried Black-Eyed Peas: This recipe is for a one-pound bag of dried black-eyed peas. No need to soak! Just rinse and remove any debris.
- Thick-Cut Bacon: Choose a bacon you love—its flavor makes all the difference here. Cook the bacon first until it’s crispy (or the way you like it) and crumble it before adding—trust me, you don’t want to throw it in raw, or you’ll end up with a greasy disaster that doesn’t do your peas any favors.
- Ham Bone or Ham Hock: Adds a deep, smoky richness. If you don’t have one, diced ham works too.
- Onion: Dice it finely so it softens and melds into the broth.
- Garlic: Use minced garlic for convenience or freshly chopped if you prefer. You can also use garlic powder if that is what you have on hand.
- Chicken Broth: Gives the peas a flavorful base instead of using water. Make sure to measure out of the box, as it isn’t always exact.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (optional) add balance and a little kick.
Variations and Substitutions
- Add smoked sausage or kielbasa slices for extra protein and a smoky flavor.
- Swap out the bacon and ham for smoked with a turkey leg for a lighter yet still flavorful twist.
- For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add a splash of liquid smoke for that classic Southern flavor.
- Stir in a can of diced tomatoes for a tangy, juicy addition that pairs perfectly with the smoky peas.
- Turn it Cajun-style by adding andouille sausage, a teaspoon of Cajun seasoning, and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for a bold kick.
- Like a spicier pot of peas? Add a few dashes of hot sauce or extra red pepper flakes.
💡Shortcut Ideas💡
- Pre-chopped onion from the produce section and jarred minced garlic save time on prep.
- Grab diced ham from the deli section if you don’t have a ham bone. You can also buy sliced ham shanks, and they will work well in this recipe.
- Use good quality pre-cooked bacon or microwave bacon instead of frying up bacon from scratch.
How To Make Slow Cooker Dried Black-Eyed Peas
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1: Prep the Peas
Rinse the dried black-eyed peas well and pick through them to remove any rocks or bad peas. No soaking is needed—they’re ready to go straight into the slow cooker.
Step 2: Add Everything to the Crockpot
In the slow cooker, add the rinsed peas. No soaking is needed—they’re ready to go straight into the slow cooker.
Then add the diced onion, garlic, ham bone (or diced ham), crispy bacon, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
Pour in the chicken broth, then give everything a good stir to combine.
Step 3: Let It Cook
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and set it to HIGH. Let the peas cook for 7-8 hours, and don’t be tempted to lift the lid! If the peas soak up too much broth, add a little extra as needed.
Step 4: Shred Ham
Once cooking is complete, remove the ham bone. Remove meat from the bone and shred it with two forks. Add ham meat back into peas and stir.
Step 5: Taste and Serve
Once the peas are tender, taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
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How to Thicken Black-Eyed Peas
For creamier beans, remove 1 cup of the beans and mash. Add back to the slow cooker and stir. You can also mash some of the beans against the side of the slow cooker and stir to incorporate.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t lift the lid while cooking—it lets out heat and slows the process.
- If the peas absorb too much broth, add a little more as needed during cooking. You don’t see this as much in the slow cooker as you would with stovetop black-eyed peas.
- If you like creamier peas, mash a small portion (I usually use about 1 cup) against the side of the slow cooker near the end of the cooking time, then stir it back into the pot.
Recipe FAQs
Eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is a long-standing tradition, especially in the South. The peas are said to symbolize prosperity and good luck for the coming year. The tradition is often paired with other symbolic foods: collard greens for wealth (they resemble folded money), cornbread for gold, and pork for progress and abundance.
Even though I am not superstitious, this is a tradition we don’t ever skip on New Year’s Day. No matter the origin, we welcome each year with a warm, flavorful pot of peas!
Yes, you can cook the peas on LOW for about 10-12 hours. Just keep in mind that the cooking time will be longer, so plan ahead.
If the peas are still firm after cooking, give them more time. Older dried peas sometimes take longer to soften. You can add a little extra broth if needed.
Absolutely! You can skip the bacon and ham or replace them with smoked turkey or a splash of liquid smoke for that classic smoky flavor.
This recipe is designed for dried black-eyed peas, which soak up all the flavors as they cook. If you’re using canned peas, reduce the amount of broth and cook just long enough to warm everything through and soften the peas to your liking.
Storage
- Make Ahead: Prep everything in the slow cooker insert the night before. Store it covered in the fridge, then start cooking the next day.
- Storage: Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Portion into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Black-Eyed Peas
- Southern-Style Collard Greens: Tender collard greens simmered with bacon or smoked ham bring a rich, savory flavor that pairs beautifully with the earthy black-eyed peas. Our Collard Greens Au Gratin is another cheesy option you may want to try.
- Cornbread: A savory, warm slice of cornbread is perfect for soaking up all that flavorful broth.
- Rice: A bowl of fluffy white or brown rice makes a simple yet hearty companion to these peas.
- Andouille or Smoked Sausage: A smoky, savory kick from sliced sausage works beautifully. Serve it grilled, pan-seared, or cooked right alongside the peas for a flavor boost.
- Tomato and Cucumber Salad: A fresh, tangy salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, and avocado, and a light vinaigrette brings brightness that balances the richness of the dish. We also have a creamy cucumber and tomato version you will love.
- Fried Pork Chops: Crispy, golden pork chops are the ultimate Southern pairing, adding crunch and making for a satisfying main dish.
- Mac and Cheese: Creamy, cheesy, and always a favorite, mac and cheese brings extra comfort to the table. Whip up a baked southern mac and cheese, or try a quick instant pot of creamy mac and cheese for easy goodness!
Love cooking options for your southern black-eyed peas? You will also love my Southern Stovetop Black-Eyed Peas or Black-Eyed Peas in the Instant Pot recipes!
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Southern Black Eyed Peas In the Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried black eyed peas, sorted & rinsed
- 4 slices of thick cut bacon, cooked and sliced
- 1 ham bone with meat, ham shank or ham hock or cubed ham
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 to 1 ½ teaspoon salt, (or to taste)
- ½ to 1 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon red pepper flake, (optional)
- 7 cups chicken broth
Instructions
- Rinse and remove any bad peas or rocks from the black eyed peas.
- To the slow cooker, add the dried black-eyed peas to the crockpot, no need to presoak!
- Add in the diced onion, minced garlic, ham bone with meat (you can also use diced ham), bacon, and seasonings.
- Pour in the chicken broth and stir everything to combine
- Cover with lid and cook on HIGH FOR 7-8 hours. Do not remove or open the lid while cooking (unless more broth is needed).
- Once cooking is complete, remove the ham bone. Remove meat from the bone and shred it with two forks. Add ham meat back into peas and stir.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
- For creamier beans, remove 1 cup of the beans and mash. Add back to the slow cooker and stir. You can also mash some of the beans against the side of the slow cooker and stir to incorporate.
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Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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I have never made black eyed peas before. Followed this recipe and family really liked them. I used a ham hock and some cubed ham I had.
Thank you, Theresa! I am so glad your family enjoyed them.