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Quick Black Eyed Peas in the Instant pot

Quick Black Eyed Peas in the Instant Pot

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Pressure Build/Release 10 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Instant Pot (6-quart or larger) Essential for pressure cooking. Any electric pressure cooker, often dubbed "Instapot," works great.
  • Wooden spoon For stirring the aromatics.
  • Cutting board and knife For prepping the vegetables and meat.
  • Measuring cups and spoons Accuracy matters!

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound dried black eyed peas unsoaked
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or any neutral oil like avocado or canola
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 smoked ham hock or 1 cup diced smoked sausage or turkey leg
  • 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for a kick
  • 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar added at the end for brightness

Optional Add-ins

  • 1 cup chopped collard greens or kale
  • 1 can diced tomatoes drained
  • Dash of hot sauce for serving

Instructions
 

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

  1. Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” setting. Once it reads "HOT," add the olive oil. Toss in the chopped onion and garlic, cooking for about 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 2: Add Seasonings and Protein

  1. Add the ham hock or sausage, smoked paprika, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. Stir for a minute to coat everything in the spices. This layer of flavor forms the base of the dish.

Step 3: Add Black Eyed Peas and Liquid

  1. Pour in the dried black eyed peas (no soaking necessary), followed by the chicken broth, water, and bay leaves. Stir everything to combine, scraping the bottom to deglaze.

Step 4: Pressure Cook

  1. Lock the lid and set your Instant Pot to "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" for 30 minutes on high pressure. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release to let out the remaining steam.

Step 5: Final Touches

  1. Open the lid and stir in the apple cider vinegar. If you're adding greens or tomatoes, mix them in now and set to "Sauté" for an extra 5 minutes to let everything blend together. Taste and adjust salt as needed.

Step 6: Serve

  1. Serve hot, ideally with cornbread, rice, or over grits. For a southern-style feast, pair with collard greens and sweet potatoes.