Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas with Bacon: A Flavorful Southern Comfort Recipe
Black-eyed peas are a staple in Southern cuisine, especially around New Year’s Day, where they symbolize luck and prosperity for the coming year. While often enjoyed on their own or as a side dish, they reach new heights of deliciousness when slow-cooked with smoky bacon. This recipe for Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas with Bacon is not only incredibly flavorful but also incredibly easy to prepare. The slow cooker does most of the work, infusing the peas with the rich, savory essence of bacon and creating a deeply satisfying, comforting meal. Whether you’re looking for a lucky New Year’s dish, a hearty weeknight dinner, or a flavorful side for your next barbecue, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Why Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas?
Using a slow cooker to prepare black-eyed peas offers several advantages:
* **Convenience:** Simply toss the ingredients into the slow cooker, set the timer, and forget about it. No constant stirring or monitoring required.
* **Flavor:** The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld and deepen, resulting in a richer, more complex taste.
* **Tenderness:** Slow cooking ensures the peas become perfectly tender and creamy, without being mushy.
* **Hands-Off Cooking:** It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have time to stand over the stove.
Ingredients You’ll Need
* **Dried Black-Eyed Peas:** 1 pound, rinsed and sorted. Sorting is important to remove any small stones or debris.
* **Bacon:** 8 ounces, cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Use thick-cut bacon for the best flavor and texture.
* **Onion:** 1 medium, chopped. Yellow or white onion works well.
* **Garlic:** 4 cloves, minced. Fresh garlic is essential for the best flavor.
* **Chicken Broth:** 6 cups. Use low-sodium broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
* **Water:** 2 cups (optional, depending on desired consistency).
* **Dried Thyme:** 1 teaspoon. Adds a warm, earthy flavor.
* **Dried Oregano:** 1 teaspoon. Provides a slightly peppery and aromatic note.
* **Bay Leaf:** 1. Contributes a subtle, herbaceous flavor that enhances the overall taste.
* **Salt:** To taste. Be mindful of the saltiness of the bacon and broth.
* **Black Pepper:** To taste. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferred.
* **Optional Add-ins:**
* **Ham Hock:** Adds a smoky, savory depth to the flavor.
* **Smoked Sausage:** Adds a spicy kick.
* **Diced Tomatoes:** Adds acidity and brightness.
* **Jalapeño Pepper:** For extra heat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
**Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients**
* Rinse the dried black-eyed peas thoroughly under cold water. Pick through them, discarding any small stones, debris, or shriveled peas.
* Chop the bacon into 1/2-inch pieces. This will allow the bacon to render its fat evenly and distribute its flavor throughout the peas.
* Chop the onion into small dice. Mince the garlic. Having these ingredients prepped and ready to go will make the cooking process smoother.
**Step 2: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker**
* In a 6-quart or larger slow cooker, combine the rinsed black-eyed peas, chopped bacon, chopped onion, minced garlic, chicken broth, water (if using), dried thyme, dried oregano, and bay leaf.
* If using a ham hock or smoked sausage, add it to the slow cooker at this stage. These ingredients will infuse the peas with their smoky flavor during the long cooking process.
**Step 3: Cook on Low**
* Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or until the black-eyed peas are tender and creamy. The cooking time may vary depending on your slow cooker, so it’s essential to check the peas periodically.
* If you are short on time you can cook on High for 3-4 hours, but cooking on low provides the best flavor development and results in a more tender texture.
**Step 4: Season and Serve**
* Once the black-eyed peas are cooked, remove the bay leaf and any ham hock (if used). If you used a ham hock, you can shred the meat and return it to the slow cooker for added flavor and texture.
* Season the black-eyed peas with salt and black pepper to taste. Be mindful of the saltiness of the bacon and broth when adding salt.
* If the black-eyed peas are too thick, add a little more chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency. If they are too thin, you can remove the lid and cook for another 30-60 minutes to allow some of the liquid to evaporate.
* Serve the slow cooker black-eyed peas hot, garnished with your favorite toppings, such as chopped green onions, a dollop of sour cream, a splash of hot sauce, or a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas
* **Don’t Skip the Soaking (Optional):** While not strictly necessary, soaking the black-eyed peas for a few hours or overnight can help to reduce the cooking time and make them even more tender. To soak, simply cover the peas with water in a large bowl and let them sit in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Drain and rinse the peas before adding them to the slow cooker.
* **Use Quality Bacon:** The bacon is a key ingredient in this recipe, so it’s important to use good-quality bacon. Thick-cut bacon will provide the best flavor and texture.
* **Don’t Overcook:** Overcooking the black-eyed peas can result in a mushy texture. Check the peas periodically and cook until they are tender but not falling apart.
* **Adjust the Seasoning:** Taste the black-eyed peas before serving and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or other spices to suit your taste.
* **Add Some Heat:** For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño pepper to the slow cooker.
* **Get Creative with Toppings:** Get creative with your toppings! Chopped green onions, sour cream, hot sauce, fresh parsley, and a drizzle of olive oil are all delicious options.
Serving Suggestions
Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas with Bacon are a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many ways:
* **As a Main Course:** Serve them as a hearty and satisfying main course, accompanied by cornbread or rice.
* **As a Side Dish:** Serve them as a flavorful side dish with grilled meats, poultry, or fish.
* **In Tacos or Burritos:** Use them as a filling for tacos or burritos.
* **In Soup:** Add them to your favorite soup recipe for extra flavor and texture.
* **Over Grits:** A classic Southern combination, black-eyed peas over creamy grits is a comforting and delicious meal.
Variations
* **Vegetarian Version:** Omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
* **Spicy Version:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño pepper to the slow cooker.
* **Smoked Sausage Version:** Substitute some or all of the bacon with smoked sausage, such as andouille or kielbasa.
* **Ham Hock Version:** Add a ham hock to the slow cooker for a deeper, smoky flavor. Remove the ham hock after cooking, shred the meat, and return it to the slow cooker.
* **Tomato Version:** Add a can of diced tomatoes to the slow cooker for added acidity and brightness.
Storage and Reheating
* **Storage:** Store leftover black-eyed peas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the black-eyed peas in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave.
* **Freezing:** Black-eyed peas can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Allow them to cool completely before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
* Calories: Approximately 300-400 per serving (depending on ingredients and portion size)
* Protein: 20-25 grams per serving
* Carbohydrates: 40-50 grams per serving
* Fat: 10-15 grams per serving
* Fiber: 10-15 grams per serving
*Note: This is an approximate estimate. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*
Detailed Recipe
**Yields:** 6-8 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 6-8 hours (on low)
**Ingredients:**
* 1 pound dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and sorted
* 8 ounces bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
* 1 medium onion, chopped
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 6 cups chicken broth
* 2 cups water (optional, for thinner consistency)
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1 bay leaf
* Salt and black pepper to taste
* Optional: 1 ham hock
* Optional: Toppings (chopped green onions, sour cream, hot sauce, fresh parsley)
**Equipment:**
* 6-quart or larger slow cooker
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Ingredients:** Rinse the dried black-eyed peas thoroughly under cold water. Pick through them, discarding any small stones, debris, or shriveled peas. Chop the bacon into 1/2-inch pieces. Chop the onion into small dice. Mince the garlic.
2. **Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker:** In a 6-quart or larger slow cooker, combine the rinsed black-eyed peas, chopped bacon, chopped onion, minced garlic, chicken broth, water (if using), dried thyme, dried oregano, and bay leaf. If using a ham hock, add it to the slow cooker at this stage.
3. **Cook on Low:** Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours, or until the black-eyed peas are tender and creamy. The cooking time may vary depending on your slow cooker, so it’s essential to check the peas periodically.
4. **Season and Serve:** Once the black-eyed peas are cooked, remove the bay leaf and any ham hock (if used). If you used a ham hock, you can shred the meat and return it to the slow cooker for added flavor and texture. Season the black-eyed peas with salt and black pepper to taste. Be mindful of the saltiness of the bacon and broth when adding salt. If the black-eyed peas are too thick, add a little more chicken broth or water to reach your desired consistency. If they are too thin, you can remove the lid and cook for another 30-60 minutes to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. Serve the slow cooker black-eyed peas hot, garnished with your favorite toppings, such as chopped green onions, a dollop of sour cream, a splash of hot sauce, or a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Enjoy your delicious and lucky Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas with Bacon!