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Authentic Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Ham Hock

A close-up of a white bowl filled with savory black eyed peas mixed with shredded ham.
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Make classic Southern black-eyed peas that taste rich and comforting. This recipe uses a ham hock for deep, smoky flavor, making it perfect for a hearty side dish or New Year’s tradition.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and picked over
  • 1 smoked ham hock (or 4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced)
  • 6 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional, for brightness)

Instructions

  1. Place the rinsed black-eyed peas, ham hock (or bacon), water or broth, onion, celery, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and smoked paprika into a large pot or Dutch oven.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer.
  3. Cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the peas are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom. If the liquid reduces too much, add a little more water or broth.
  4. Once the peas are tender, remove and discard the ham hock and bay leaf. Shred any usable meat from the ham hock and return it to the pot. Discard the bone. If using bacon, remove the crispy bacon pieces and crumble them for later.
  5. Stir in the apple cider vinegar, if using. Taste the peas and add salt and pepper as needed. Remember that the ham hock adds salt, so season carefully.
  6. If you want creamier black-eyed peas, mash about 1/4 cup of the peas against the side of the pot and stir them back in.
  7. Serve hot, sprinkled with the reserved crumbled bacon, if desired. This dish is excellent served over rice.

Notes

  • For a quicker method, use a slow cooker: Combine all ingredients (except vinegar) in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Remove the ham hock before serving.
  • If you skip the ham hock or bacon for a vegetarian option, add 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke or extra smoked paprika to build that smoky flavor.
  • These black-eyed peas are a traditional good luck meal for New Year’s Day.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/black-eyed-peas-southern-style-recipe/