Southern-Style Black-Eyed Peas (Printer-friendly)

Tender peas simmered with smoky sausage, vegetables, and Creole spices for authentic Southern comfort.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 8 oz smoked sausage (Andouille or Kielbasa), sliced
02 - 4 oz thick-cut bacon, diced

→ Legumes

03 - 1 lb dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and sorted

→ Vegetables

04 - 1 large onion, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 2 celery stalks, diced
07 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Liquids

08 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 cup water

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 2 bay leaves
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
13 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
14 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
15 - ¾ teaspoon kosher salt

→ Finishing

16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
17 - Hot sauce for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place dried black-eyed peas in a large bowl and cover with water. Soak overnight, then drain and rinse. Alternatively, cover peas with boiling water, let stand 1 hour, then drain and rinse.
02 - In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, cook diced bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
03 - Add sliced sausage to the pot and sauté until browned. Remove and set aside with the cooked bacon.
04 - In the same pot, add diced onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté until vegetables soften, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute.
05 - Stir in the soaked black-eyed peas, chicken broth, water, bay leaves, smoked paprika, thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and kosher salt.
06 - Return the cooked bacon and sausage to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours until peas are tender and the broth is flavorful.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove bay leaves before serving.
08 - Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot with hot sauce on the side, traditionally accompanied by steamed rice or cornbread.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • These peas are forgiving and actually get better as they sit, so they're perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd without stress.
  • The smoky sausage and bacon do the heavy lifting flavor-wise, meaning you get restaurant-quality depth from simple, accessible ingredients.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and packed with protein and fiber, so it feels indulgent but actually nourishes you.
02 -
  • Soaking matters—I learned this the hard way by skipping it, and my peas took nearly two hours to soften; overnight soaking cuts cooking time in half and ensures even texture.
  • Don't skip removing the bay leaves; I once served a bowl to a guest who bit into one and it completely changed the mood of the meal.
03 -
  • Always taste and adjust seasoning at the very end; the sausage and bacon contribute salt that becomes more apparent as the broth reduces.
  • If your peas seem dry after cooking, add broth or water a splash at a time rather than starting over—it's easier to add liquid than remove it.
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