Southern, soul food style black eyed peas with smoked turkey. The BEST black eyed peas recipe EVER!
Ain’t nothing better than a plate of soulful black eyed peas over rice, served with cornbread, and collard greens! Oh my goodness. I absolutely love it. I swear my mom made the best black eyed peas. Her recipe was pretty simple. She used smoked ham hocks, onions, and seasoned the black eyed peas with seasoning salt, and a few other spices. She never went overboard with it. She kept her recipe simple. I’m the same way!
My easy black eyed peas recipe is as simple as it can get. I use a just a few ingredients, and the peas always come out fabulous! Seriously, there’s no need for a ton of ingredients. As long as you follow this recipe, you’re good!
I like to use smoked meat in southern black eyed peas recipe. Some times I use smoked turkey. Other times I use smoked pork. The recipe listed below calls for smoked turkey tails. If you don’t want to use turkey tails feel free to use one of the following
- smoked turkey wings or legs
- smoked ham hocks
- smoked pork neck bones
Keep in mind, if you choose to use ham hocks, it will take longer to cook.
Check out this video tutorial below, to see how I make my southern black eyed peas!
- 16 oz dried black eyed peas
- 2 lbs smoked turkey tails
- 1 large yellow onion , diced
- 4-6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 64 oz low sodium chicken broth( or regular),
- salt & pepper to taste
- Sort & rinse the beans under cold water.
- Let the beans soak overnight, or do a quick soak( directions should be on the back of the package of beans).
- Place the turkey tails into a large pot, and pour in 32 ounces of chicken broth.
- Turn the heat on high, and boil the turkey tails until tender.
- After the beans have been soaked, drain the excess liquid.
- Add the beans into the pot with the turkey tails,, and pour in remaining chicken broth.
- Add in the minced onion, and garlic.
- Stir the ingredient, cover, and turn the heat to medium.
- Let cook for 45-55 minutes, but be sure to stir occasionally.
- Check the beans to make sure that they are nice and tender, if not cook for a while longer.
- Taste the beans, add salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve over rice, and enjoy!
Black eyed peas, ham hock, mashed potatoes, greens and cornbread….perfect meal! Great way to bring in the new year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family! xoxo
Happy Holidays Mary!
Hi Rosie,
It has been a while since I have written, but I just love your recipes and how descriptive you are in your explanations. Since I have written a lot has happen in our family. A family member has been diagnosed with cancer, and I look forward to more of your great tasting recipes to help with great tasting meals for our situation.
I want to wish you and your family an awesome Christmas in the wonder of our Savior’s birth.
Dianne! I am so sorry to hear about you family member. I am praying for your family! XOXO
Hi Rosie.
I really like your cooking explanations I your vides. I have a few questions about your recipe. I prefer fresh black eyed peas. What is the cooking time frame for them? Where do you buy the turkey tails? How do you thicken the broth after cooking? Or does it naturally happen during cooking? Thanks.
Hi Chandra, I buy the smoked turkey tails from my local grocery store, usually Wincos Foods. The broth naturally thickens as the beans cook. This recipe is for dry beans, maybe down the road I will upload another recipe with fresh beans & will explain those steps then 🙂
I grew up with the tradition of Black Eyed Peas for the New Year. We always use smoked meats and kept it simple as well. I serve mine over white rice (Hopping John), etc….cornbread w/cracklins is a definite must along with greens, and potato salad. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
OMG! Now I’m craving cornbrea with cracklins! Happy holidays Kim! XOXO
I add rice & use ham hocks & greens & call it Hoppin John for New Years Day!
Hi Vicki! That sounds delicious!
How long should I cook ham hocks? I know u say til tender just wondering how long I should expect to cook them before adding the peas. Thanks
It depends on how your cooking the ham hocks. I usually cook them in a slow cooker for 4 hours on high.
I tried your recipes for Southern black eyed peas and your Collared Greens with turkey tails, and they were a Blast! Thank you so much! I’m hooked! Happy holidays
Sent from my MetroPCS 4G LTE Android device
Thanks for trying my recipe. Happy Holidays!
Hi Rosie!
I’ve noticed your recent recipes don’t include the salt and pepper measurements. I really enjoyed that. Hopefully you’ll switch back. As far as this recipe goes, how much would you suggest?
Hi Sherrita. I do still mention seasonings. The reason I didn’t add any to this recipe is because I used broth, and smoked meat, which contains salt. You can always add salt & pepper for taste.
How do you cook chop bbq
I’m not sure what you’re asking.
Hello Ms Rosie!
Thank you for sharing this recipe!! I purchased turkey wings to use in my black eyed peas, but the wings are smoked, they are just raw. how do I go about smoking them? or can I just cook them in the pot as is. also do you know where I might be able to find smoked turkey wings? My local grocery store just had plain turkey wings.
Hi Janaya. Sorry, but regular turkey wings do not have the same flavor as smoked ones. It will not work for this recipe. I do not have a recipe on hot to smoke a turkey uploaded at this time.
I made these for New Years. They came out great!
Thanks for trying my recipe!
Another recipe success!!! Absolutely delish. Thanks, Rosie.
I’m looking forward to cooking with your recipes this year. Happy New Year!
Hi Klady! Glad that you liked the recipe!
I made these for New Years and everyone loved them.
I made black eye peas for the first time using this recipe. They were absolutely delicious. In keeping with the New Year tradition we had black eye pease, collard greens and cornbread. The beans were outstanding. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for trying my recipe!
Giving this recipe a test drive. Its on the stove and simmering. The kitchen smells amazing! Perfect for a winter day here in Ohio. I am from Virginia so this reminds of my moms cooking. She loved to cook and share with the neighbors.
Thanks Rosie! Have a blessed New Year!
Enjoy! XOXO