Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas (With Sausage and Ham)
Easy slow cooker black eyed peas recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. No soaking required! Full of sausage, ham, tender black eyed beans, Cajun seasoning.
When you think of comfort food, it usually involves a very developed flavor and smell that evokes the feeling of something made with love and nostalgia. This dish is the definition of comfort food, and you can enjoy the aroma of it developing all day long in the crockpot. If you are looking to add more legumes to your diet, then try these Slow Cooker Refried Beans on your next Taco Tuesday.
How To Make Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas Recipe From Scratch?
- Mix ingredients in crockpot– Add dry black eyed peas, onion, green peppers, garlic, ham bone, broth, Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper.
- Cover and cook– On High heat until beans are almost done.
- Thicken it– Remove some of the the bean mixture and mash it.
- Transfer it– Back into the crockpot.
- Add ingredients– Mix in sausage and remaining broth, if needed.
- Cover and cook– High heat until beans are fully cooked.
- Discard the ham bone– If you used a ham hock, shred the meat and mix it in.
- Garnish it– With fresh parsley. Enjoy!
What Are Black Eyed Peas?
They are a a variety of legume related to cowpeas and a part of the bean and pea family.
Do You Need To Soak Black Eyed Peas (Black Eyed Beans) Before Cooking?
You do not need to pre-soak the beans because they will cook long enough in the slow cooker to become soft and fully cooked.
What Spices And Seasonings Go Well With Black Eyed Peas?
The most common spices to use are parsley, rosemary, thyme, sage, coriander, cumin, cayenne, and garlic. Cajun seasoning is also an excellent compliment to these beans.
How Long To Cook Black Eyed Peas (Black Eyed Beans)?
Cook on High Heat for 6 hours total or until beans are cooked all the way through.
What Is The Tradition Of Eating Black Eyed Peas On New Years?
Southern tradition states that eating black eyed peas on New Years brings good luck! Who doesn’t want that?
What To Serve With Southern Black Eyed Peas?
Traditionally, this dish is served with southern foods such as:
- Collard greens
- Cornbread
- Grits
- Rice
- Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
If these are served as the main dish, then pair it with vegetables:
- Slow Cooker Creamy Brussels Sprouts
- Slow Cooker Yellow Squash Casserole
- Slow Cooker Cauliflower Casserole
- Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole
- Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots
- Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
Serve this side along with main course proteins like the following:
- Slow Cooker Ham {With Pineapples}
- Slow Cooker Honey BBQ Wings
- Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Wings
- Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
- Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole
- Slow Cooker Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast
Variations
Add collard greens– For a more complete and classic meal.
Add diced tomatoes– For a little tang and acidic flavor addition.
Add bacon– For a salty flavor and crunchy texture.
Turn it into a brothy soup– Add more broth to create a true soup version.
Make it spicy– Add cayenne pepper, red chili flakes, diced jalapenos, or hot sauce for a spicy version.
Add more vegetables– Such as celery, carrots, green beans, for additional texture and heartiness. You can even add a bag of frozen mixed vegetables in the last hour of cooking.
Add curry– Add curry seasoning instead of Cajun for a flavor twist.
Make it vegan– Leave out the meat, or replace it with vegan friendly version, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Tips And Techniques
Frozen or canned black eyed peas? I do not recommend using frozen or canned black eyed peas in this recipe because they will become very overcooked and a mushy mess when cooked for that long in the slow cooker.
Sausage must be cooked– Because undercooked meat would ruin the dish and be unsafe.
Use low-sodium broth– To prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
What size crockpot to use? I recommend a 6 quart or larger crockpot.
How to mash the beans to thicken the peas? Use a potato masher to mash the beans easily.
Don’t forget to discard the ham bone– If you used a ham hock, shred the meat with forks and mix that in.
What setting to cook the beans on? Cook the beans on High Heat. This is necessary since they are dry beans and unsoaked.
Slice the sausage before adding it to the slow cooker– Because this allows the flavors to marry well and makes sure everything is tender and warmed through.
Storage
Refrigerate– In a sealed container for up to 3 days.
Freeze– In a freezer safe container for up to 1 month.
Reheat– From thawed, in the microwave or on the stovetop. It will thicken as it cools, so it may need more broth when reheated.
More Slow Cooker Side Dishes
- Slow Cooker Twice Baked Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Vegetarian Stuffing (Mushroom Stuffing)
- Slow Cooker Cornbread Stuffing or Dressing
- Slow Cooker Garlic Mushrooms
- Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Souffle
- Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
- Slow Cooker Sausage Stuffing
- Slow Cooker Candied Carrots
Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas With Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 pound Black eyed peas, Dry, Not presoaked
- 1/2 cup Onion, Finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Green peppers, Finely chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, Finely minced
- 1 Ham bone, Or ham hock
- 5-6 cups Chicken broth, Low sodium
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning, Can replace with any seasoning of your choice
- Salt, To taste
- Pepper, To taste
- 14 oz Smoked sausage rope, Such as kielbasa or andouille, Sliced, Already cooked
- 1 tbsp Parsley, For garnish
Instructions
- In a large crockpot (6 quart or larger), add dry black eyed peas, onion, green peppers, garlic, ham bone, broth (start with 5 cups), Cajun seasoning, salt, pepper.
- Mix until combined.
- Cover and cook on High heat for about 5 hours or until beans are almost done.
- To thicken, remove 1.5 cups of the this bean mixture and transfer to a bowl.
- Mash this with a potato masher until smooth.
- Transfer this mashed mixture back into the crockpot.
- Add sausage and mix until combined.
- Add remaining broth, if necessary. I never have to add it.
- Cover and cook on High heat for 1 more hour until beans are fully cooked.
- When the cook time is over, discard the ham bone. If you used a ham hock, shred the meat with forks and mix that in.
- Garnish with fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
- Read all my tips above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave. The mixture will become a little thicker as it cools. Just mix in a little more broth to achieve desired consistency.
Nutrition
