Black-Eyed Peas

Name: Black-Eyed Peas
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: North America, Southern
Ingredients: 1 pound dried black-eyed peas, sorted and rinsed; 1 large onion, chopped; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 ounces sliced salt pork belly, chopped; 6 garlic cloves, minced; 2 bay leaves; 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 carton (32 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth; 2 smoked ham hocks

Total Time Prep: 20 min. + standing Cook: 45 min.

Yield 6 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

Ready for the ultimate black-eyed peas recipe? This popular Southern side dish gets its flavor from salty pork belly and ham hocks and might even bring good luck when eaten on New Year's Day.

Ingredients

1 pound dried black-eyed peas, sorted and rinsed
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 ounces sliced salt pork belly, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 carton (32 ounces) reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 smoked ham hocks

Directions

Place peas in a Dutch oven; add water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and rinse peas, discarding liquid; set aside.
In the same pan, saute onion in oil until tender. Add the pork belly, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, pepper flakes and pepper; cook 1 minute longer.
Add the broth, ham hocks and peas; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 35-40 minutes or until peas are tender, stirring occasionally and adding more water if desired.
Discard bay leaves. Remove ham hocks; cool slightly. Remove meat from bones if desired; finely chop meat and return to pan. Discard bones. If desired, top with additional fresh thyme.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 359 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 788mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 14g fiber), 20g protein.

I find that pork is the secret to a good black-eyed peas recipe. A double dose of ham for flavor and slow, gentle cooking creates this perfect side dish. —Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia

Recipe Creator