A tasty side dish, these Bacon Black Eyed Peas are a hit. With minimal ingredients and effort, they go great with all your favorite dinnertime meals.
When it comes to these Bacon Black Eyed Peas, we have been making them for years. Usually, a New Years Eve tradition for us, although we do make them year-round.
Living in the south, you can pretty much get these at any restaurant, and I mean ANY restaurant. But nothing beats home-cooked Black Eyed Peas.
This recipe has been one that we have used for years, but I like to add a little bacon to mine. I’m not sure if a lot of people do or not, but we just can’t get enough of it.
The more bacon the better in my opinion, but I am very biased when it comes to that. But trust me, the added flavor from the bacon and the drippings are over-the-top delicious.
If you are looking for that perfect holiday side dish, a New Years Eve meal, or just something to serve at your regular dinner time slot, then you have to make these Bacon Black Eyed Peas.
Some of my other favorite side dishes that we have on our site include: Smothered Potatoes, Crab Cakes and Sausage Dirty Rice.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Easily available ingredients help this come together nicely.
- The bacon adds so much flavor.
- This is great for various occasions.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (FULL RECIPE BELOW):
Bacon
Sweet onion
Garlic
Seasoned salt
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Dried thyme
Pepper
Cayenne pepper
Dried black-eyed peas
Unsalted chicken stock
Bay leaves
Unsalted butter
Fresh chopped parsley for garnish, optional
HOW TO MAKE BACON BLACK EYED PEAS:
- In a dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy, 15-20 minutes stirring occasionally. Take the bacon out, reserving the bacon drippings in the pot, and place the cooked bacon on a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
- Add the onion to the pot and cook until softened and translucent, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Next, add the seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, pepper, and cayenne to the pot. Stir it in and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the peas, chicken stock, and bay leaves to the pot, and stir it together. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and simmer, covered, for 60-90 minutes, stirring occasionally. They are done when the peas are tender.
- Add the butter and stir it in to melt, taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve with the crispy bacon on top and fresh parsley if desired.
CAN I ADD SOME EXTRA FLAVOR TO THIS?
While these are super flavorful on their own and taste like they have been simmering all day, you can add some extra flavor to them.
We suggest adding some red wine vinegar, just a splash or two. You can add this directly to your servings and not the pot, as this is a personal preference.
The tartness of the vinegar complements the richness of the Black Eyed Peas.
If you want to make it spicier, you can add some of your favorite hot sauce, use cayenne pepper or chipotle powder.
DO I HAVE TO SOAK THESE OVERNIGHT?
Usually, with any bean or recipe you will want to soak them for at least 8 hours to soften them up and prepare them for the actual cooking process.
The alternative to this is that you can add them to a pot of water and boil them for about 2 minutes. Then remove them from the heat and let them sit for about 1 hour.
After this, you can proceed with the recipe as stated below.
DO I HAVE TO USE BACON:
While a majority of recipes I’ve seen do use bacon, you can also use salt pork or smoked sausage as well. You can use your favorite bacon, we use thick-cut smoked applewood.
HOW TO STORE:
You can store this recipe in the refrigerator in an airtight container where it will keep for up to 3 days.
This can also be frozen, placed in a freezer container and it will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To defrost, remove to the refrigerator overnight until thawed. The best way to reheat this is in the microwave or stovetop until heated through. It may thicken, so adding some water or chicken stock to loosen it up may be necessary.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
- You can do a quick soak instead of soaking these overnight, see above on how to do that.
- Use your favorite bacon or other meat suggested above.
- Add some red wine vinegar to each serving for an amp in flavor.
- These can be frozen, see above on how to do that.
- Serve with any of your favorite main dishes.
- Cooking time will vary depending on how tender you like your beans.
Looking for that perfect side dish that will warm you up and make your tastebuds jump for joy? Then you absolutely need to make these Bacon Black Eyed Peas.
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If you’ve tried these BACON BLACK EYED PEAS let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Bacon Black Eyed Peas
Ingredients
- 12 ounces thick-cut bacon 1/2 inch dice
- 1 small sweet onion small diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 pound dried black-eyed peas soaked overnight and drained
- 4 cups unsalted chicken stock
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- In a dutch oven over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy, 15-20 minutes stirring occasionally. Take the bacon out, reserving the bacon drippings in the pot, and place the cooked bacon on a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.12 ounces thick-cut bacon
- Add the onion to the pot and cook until softened and translucent, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.1 small sweet onion, 3 cloves garlic
- Next, add the seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, pepper, and cayenne to the pot. Stir it in and cook for 30 seconds.2 teaspoons seasoned salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Add the peas, chicken stock, and bay leaves to the pot, and stir it together. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and simmer, covered, for 60-90 minutes, stirring occasionally. They are done when the peas are tender.1 pound dried black-eyed peas, 4 cups unsalted chicken stock, 2 dried bay leaves
- Add the butter and stir it in to melt, taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve with the crispy bacon on top and fresh parsley if desired.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Video
Notes
- You can do a quick soak instead of soaking these overnight, see above on how to do that.
- Use your favorite bacon or other meat suggested above.
- Add some red wine vinegar to each serving for an amp in flavor.
- These can be frozen, see above on how to do that.
- Serve with any of your favorite main dishes.
- Cooking time will vary depending on how tender you like your beans.
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