Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Southern

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 50

Total Time: 1

Servings:

Calories: 342kcal

Author: Nikole Berg

You'll love how flavorful and easy these Instant Pot black eyed peas are to make! They are loaded with smoky flavor thanks to the addition of ham and bacon. They are the perfect side dish for New Year's Day or anytime the craving for black eyed peas hits. Ready in less than an hour!

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Ingredients

1 lb black eyed peas, dried sorted and rinsed
2 tablespoon oil mild flavored such as canola or vegetable
4 strips bacon, thick cut cut into half inch pieces
1 med onion, diced small about 1 cup
1 teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon cayenne red pepper ground
4 cups chicken broth low sodium if desired
8 ounces smoked ham diced into half inch pieces
2 cups water
3 bay leaves
1 head garlic tips cut off
Salt to taste may not be needed

To serve

Tabasco or other hot sauce
Corn bread
Hot cooked rice

Instructions

Sort black eyed peas by spreading them on a large cookie sheet. Discard any beans that are broken, split or shriveled, along with any stones or debris you might find. Put them in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Set aside.
Set Instant Pot to the Sauté setting on medium heat for 8 minutes. Be sure the "keep warm" setting is On (mine does this by default). When IP is heated, add oil, bacon, and onions. Cook until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add black pepper and cayenne pepper to bacon mixture. Stir and cook for one to two minutes more.
Press Cancel on the IP if it's still on. Add chicken broth, ham, water, black eyed peas, bay leaves, and head of garlic. Stir to combine. Secure lid. Select Pressure Cook and set to Manual or High Pressure for 25 minutes. Turn "keep warm" to Off.
At the end of the cooking cycle and Instant Pot beeps, let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes. Release remaining pressure by pressing the steam release valve with the handle end of a wooden spoon. Cover the valve with a kitchen towel to prevent any hot steam from splattering on the counter or your hand.
When the valve drops and all steam has been released, it's safe to open the lid. Remove the bay leaves and head of garlic. Taste for saltiness, and add more if necessary.
Partially mash black eyed peas with a potato masher to desired consistency.
If you prefer a thicker broth, select the Sauté function on Medium heat for 5 minutes. Cook black eyed peas, stirring occasionally.

Notes

Be sure you are familiar with your brand of pressure cooker before making this recipe. Read the safeguards and instructions to understand the controls and features. I made this recipe with the Instant Pot Ultra 60.

Buy a slab of ham from the deli if you can't find any thick slices. Most stores also carry pre-diced ham. However, I have found that the best flavor comes from high quality deli meat or leftover ham that hasn't been sweetened.

How to make vegetarian black eyed peas: replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and omit ham and bacon. Try adding sliced fresh mushrooms instead of bacon. Add a can of drained diced tomatoes or Rotel, or canned corn instead of ham.

The black eyed peas will thicken as it cools. Add a splash of water or broth when re-heating, if desired. Adjust salt and pepper.

Serve with corn bread or rice for a simple meal or as a side dish with your favorite main.

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition