How to Cook Black-eyed Peas in an Instant Pot
This smoky Instant Pot black-eyed peas recipe is a Southern-style vegan dish perfect for New Year’s Day. It’s super easy and cooks quickly.
This vegan black-eyed peas recipe is a delicious way to start New Year. It’s creamy and hearty, and with an Instant Pot, you can whip up this dish in much less time.
Black-eyed peas are a Southern food staple that is widely popular in South Carolina. It’s enjoyed regularly and is eaten for good fortune.
On New Year’s, this dish symbolizes prosperity and good luck, and the more you eat, the more luck you will have.
Some traditional recipes add a penny or dime into the dish, and whoever finds the coin is said to have the most luck all year.
This dish is eaten with collard greens and cornbread for a financially prosperous year. It is sometimes stewed with tomatoes to represent health and wellness.
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Key Ingredient Notes
- Black-eyed peas – soak overnight to shorten cooking time.
- Vegan bacon – adds a smoky, meat flavor reminiscent of southern recipes.
I used Lightlife Smart Bacon, but you can use any brand of vegan bacon you prefer. Or leave it out if you desire. - Vegetable broth – I used Better than Bouillion Vegetable Base combined with water.
It has lots of flavor but is salty, so be cautious when adding extra salt. - Cajun or creole seasoning – adds a classic southern flavor to the dish.
To make your own, mix smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, black and white pepper, onion powder, dried oregano, and cayenne. - Smoked paprika – complements the beans by adding a smoky flavor. A few drops of liquid smoke are a good substitute.
- Fresh thyme – try dried thyme or dried bay leaf as substitutes.
- Vegetable oil – olive or canola oil are suitable options.
Step-by-step Instructions
1. Prepare the Instant Pot by setting it to Sauté at High temperature. Add the oil and cook the vegan bacon until browned. Then add the onion and cook until translucent.
2. Add the garlic, vegetable broth, cajun or creole seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Drain and rinse the pre-soaked black-eyed peas and add to the pot.
3. Cover the Instant Pot and Seal the valve. Select Bean and cook on High. 5 minutes for tender beans that hold their shape and 10 minutes for softer beans.
4. Quick-release the Instant Pot by switching the valve to Vent, then remove the lid. Be careful not to burn your fingers from the hot steam.
5. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if needed.
Serving Ideas
- Cabbage, cornbread, collard greens on New Year’s Day
- On top of rice
- You can use cooked black-eyed peas in place of field peas in this Vegan Hoppin’ John recipe.
Storage Suggestions
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to five days in the refrigerator
- Freeze in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container for up to six months.
Common FAQs
Are black-eyed peas vegan and gluten-free?
Yes! They are naturally vegan and gluten-free.
Do I need to soak black-eyed peas before cooking?
Soaking black-eyed peas before cooking them is optional. However, the dish will cook much faster if they are already pre-soaked.
Soaking also makes them easier to digest for some who are sensitive to beans. Just be sure to discard the soaking liquid and rinse before cooking.
How do I thicken cooked black-eyed peas?
To thicken this dish, mix around two tablespoons of cornstarch or flour into a cup of cold water. Stir this mixture into the black-eyed peas.
Another method would be to remove one or two cups of beans and mash them until it has a thick, smooth consistency. Then add it back into the dish and mix to combine.
Are black-eyed peas and field peas the same?
No, they are not the same. However, black-eyed peas and field peas are very similar since they are both a part of a species called “cowpeas”.
Instant Pot Black-eyed Peas
Equipment
Baking Recipes: For more accuracy, use Metric measurements and measuring spoons.
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup (250 g) black-eyed peas, soaked overnight
- 7 strips vegan bacon, diced (I used Lightlife Smart Bacon)
- ½ large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (500 ml) vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoon Cajun or creole seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, or ½ tsp dried thyme or 2 dried bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté at High temperature.
- Add the oil and vegan bacon. Cook until they start to brown, then add the onion. Continue cooking and occasionally stirring until they are translucent.7 strips vegan bacon ,½ large onion ,2 tablespoons oil
- Add the garlic, vegetable broth, cajun or creole seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, salt and pepper.2 cloves garlic ,2 cups (500 ml) vegetable broth ,2 teaspoon Cajun or creole seasoning ,1 teaspoon smoked paprika ,1 teaspoon fresh thyme ,¼ teaspoon salt ,¼ teaspoon pepper
- Drain and rinse the pre-soaked black-eyed peas and add to the pot.1 1/4 cup (250 g) black-eyed peas
- Cover the Instant Pot and Seal the valve. Select Bean and cook on High. 5 minutes for tender beans that hold their shape and 10 minutes for softer beans.
- Quick-release the Instant Pot by switching the valve to Vent, then remove the lid. Be careful of the hot steam.
- Taste and add more salt and pepper, if needed.
Notes
- Cook as directed in a large dutch oven. Cover and bring to a boil at high heat, then reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 45 mins to 1 hour or until the peas are tender.
- Cabbage, cornbread, collard greens on New Year’s Day
- On top of rice
- You can use cooked black-eyed peas in place of field peas in this Vegan Hoppin’ John recipe.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to five days in the refrigerator
- Freeze in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container for up to six months.