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!
Southern Black Eyed Peas
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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!
Wow…I am really going to try your Blackeye peas recipe.. thank you!!
Thanks for coming by Kim!
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
I want to thank you for your recipes I used for Thanksgiving. My family loved everything. I will be using the black eyed peas recipe for New Years Day.
Hi Rosie,
Do you have a crock pot version for Black Eyed Peas?
Your recipe is easy and looks great.
Hi Debra. Not one available. Sorry 🙁
MS Rosie Ms Rosie!!!!! Guuurrrllll in my Tamar voice!!!! I just took these off the stove and gurl. They are bomb.com!!!! And cooked them neck bones to, but used beef neckbones BC my hubby doesn’t eat pork! And they are on point also!!! Even if I forgot to put salt on them. I just used something else!!! I can’t wait to try others!!!! I’m new to your site. I came across your YouTube page and glad I did!!!! Thanks mama!!!
Hi Hunny! Thanks so much for trying my recipes!! XOXO
Hi Rosie. As you can see by all my comments on your yams, fried cabbage, and black eyed peas recipes today, you were the”go to” site for yesterday’s New Years Dinner. I had never cooked with turkey tails before but they were very flavorful and the black eyed peas rocked. The seasoning was on point. They were all gone. I’m going to have to cook some more for us tomorrow. Thanks for sharing your great recipes.
I made this for NYE. It was a hit!! Delicious!
Your recipes be on point. Made these and the best part is I have leftovers for at least 2 days. Delicious!!!!!!!
My mom always made her with a ham bone or hocks. As you noted these take longer to simmer, so I came online to look for an altered recipe with smoked turkey wings/legs. My mom kept the recipe simple too, and it was the best. She also sliced up green peppers, onions and cucumbers in vinegar & water. With collards, cornbread and these veggies on top of my black eyed peas n rice, oh yeah.
I look forward to trying more of your recipes.
Wishing you and yours a healthy happy 2019 with blessings & gratitude.
Hello, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!! I made your recipe today with smoked turkey necks and let me tell you it came out the BOMB!!! I made mine with rice as well and greens and cornbread. Thank you for taking the time to share with the world. I greatly appreciate you. Hope God continues to bless you this 2019 year.
Sincerely,
Ithaca
Made these with your recipe today (although I added some thyme). Excellent recipe! Thanks Rosie
Made these for new years yesterday, was my first time cooking black eyed peas and they were delicious! thanks for sharing your recipes and Happy New Year!
Looks so good! Never would have thought to use turkey tails! I serve with my black eye peas cornbread and collards.
I Tried this recipe last year and it was so good. That I am going to cook them again this year. Best Black eyed peas ever!
Thank you for my New Years Day meal. Love your recipes.
Wonderful, simple and delicious! Would it be possible to make this using vegetable broth instead of chicken?
Yes, vegetable broth can be used.
i like them with greens and some good old corn bread thank you for all that you do
Great recipe! I usually use smoked ham hock but I will switch to smoked Turkey tails next time. I wanted to use a healthier choice but did not like the flavor of smoked Turkey legs before. Thank you so very much! I love all of your receipts.
Obviously I am a new cook and have been making your recipes, which my family loves. I don’t lmow how many people your recipes will serve and have been guessing. But on this recipe will you please tell me how many people this will serve.
Thank you
Hi Cher. It really depends on the people. However, you should definitely be ale to feed at least 4 with this recipe.
Thank you so much for your quick response.
Can’t get turkey tails in my area, and you didn’t offer an alternative.
Hi Lester, You can use smoked turkey wings, or legs.
For this amateur, cooking times would be very helpful, thanks.
Hello again Lester. The cooking times are on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Thanks for stopping by!
HI, again – specifically, I’m using smoked pork shank, how long to boil them for the first step? And I made your green beans, potato, and bacon, absolutely fabulous! Thanks!
Hello again! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the green beans, potato, and bacon recipe!
To boil smoked pork shanks, rinse them first to remove surface impurities. If too salty, soak in cold water for a few hours beforehand. Place shanks in a large pot, cover with cold water, add desired aromatics like bay leaves or garlic, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until meat is tender and easily pulls away from the bone. The boiling time can vary based on shank size, so check periodically.
Great! Thanks again!