Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas Recipe

These Instant Pot black eyed peas are deliciously savory and tender with just the right amount of bite. Plus, they're ready in under 1 hour, and don't require any soaking! You seriously won't find an easier - or tastier - way to cook black eyed peas than this.

When it comes to Southern comfort food, black eyed peas are definitely a must-have, especially around New Year's. They're warm, hearty, and rich with meaty flavor from the bacon and stock.

But, if you know anything about how to cook black eyed peas, then you've probably noticed that they can take several hours to make. You need to soak them, simmer them, and make sure they don't burn or overcook. Basically, it's quite a process to make them.

With that said, if you love black eyed peas - but don't want to wait hours to enjoy them - you'll love this easy Instant Pot recipe for them! 

This Instant Pot black eyed peas recipe completely streamlines the cooking process and gives you perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful black eyed peas every single time. Not to mention, the entire recipe takes less than 1 hour, and requires just a handful of pantry staples. So you can have this classic Southern side dish made with minimal effort.

Also, for what it's worth, this black eyed peas recipe has quickly become one of our favorite Instant Pot recipes. It's right up there with some of our other favorites like this  Instant Pot Split Pea Soup and Instant Pot Risotto.

INGREDIENTS

Now, as I mentioned, this perfect black eyed peas recipe only needs a few simple ingredients to yield really delicious results.  And if you already have the black eyed peas, there's a good chance you have everything else too.

Anyway, here's what you'll need to make this black eyed pea recipe:

• 2 cups Black Eyed Peas
• 4 Bacon Strips, cut in squares
• ½ Onion, chopped
• 4 cups Chicken Stock
• 1 tbsp. Thyme
• Salt and Pepper
• Fresh Parsley

If you're picking up some black eyed peas and bacon, make sure to grab extra so you can make this hoppin john next! It's a southern black eyed peas recipe made in one pot on the stovetop, and I think it's one of the best black eyed peas recipes ever, along with this Instant Pot version.

HOW TO COOK BLACK EYED PEAS IN THE INSTANT POT

So, this black eyed peas recipe should take about an hour or less to make from start to finish.

And the best part is only 10 minutes of that is prep and active cooking time.

So if you're ready to dive into this hearty soul food deliciousness, let's get into the details!

STEP 1: SAUTEING THE AROMATICS

First, get out your Instant Pot and set it to saute mode. Then, add the chopped bacon strips to the pot and cook until some of the fat renders from the bacon.

Before the bacon gets crispy, add the chopped onion and saute for about 5 minutes until it softens.

STEP 2: COOKING & FINISHING UP THE BLACK EYED PEAS

Next, add the black eyed peas to the Instant Pot along with the thyme, chicken stock, and salt and pepper to taste. And if your chicken stock is already salted, make sure to taste it first before adding more salt since you probably won't need to use it as much.

Now, put the lid on your Instant Pot, and let everything pressure cook on low pressure for 50 minutes to soak black eyed peas and cook them to perfection.

Once your tender black eyed peas pressure cook to perfection, transfer them to a bowl and serve with some fresh parsley on top. Enjoy!

Expert Tips To Make The Best Black Eyed Peas

• Don’t Skip the Sauté Function: Browning the onions, garlic, and smoked sausage before pressure cooking adds a rich depth of flavor to the dish. Make sure to scrape up any browned bits to avoid the “burn” warning.
• Soaking the Peas: While the Instant Pot cooks black-eyed peas without pre-soaking, soaking them for 2-4 hours can reduce cooking time and make the texture even creamier. Adjust the cook time to about 10 minutes if pre-soaked.
• Layer Your Seasonings: Add salt after cooking, not before. Salting too early can make the peas tough. For the best flavor, season the dish in layers, adjusting to taste at the end.
• Use Stock Instead of Water: Swap water with chicken or vegetable stock for a more flavorful base. For extra smoky flavor, add a splash of liquid smoke or diced ham hock.
• Customize the Texture: If you prefer a creamier consistency, use the sauté function at the end to simmer off excess liquid. You can also mash some of the peas with a fork for a heartier texture.
• Natural Release for Best Results: Allowing the pressure to release naturally for 10-15 minutes prevents the peas from splitting and gives them a perfect tender texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Meal Prep: Make extra! Black-eyed peas freeze beautifully. Cool completely, portion into freezer bags or containers, and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of stock.

HOW TO STORE BLACK EYED PEAS

This black eyed peas recipe makes about 4 ½ cup servings worth of cooked peas. So you'll have more than enough for a family dinner and maybe some extras to get you through the week!

And since the leftovers keep so well, you can double the recipe - if your pressure cooker is big enough - and store the rest to reheat whenever you don't feel like cooking.

Also, you can keep your cooked black eyed peas in either the refrigerator or the freezer. Just let them cool to room temperature first, then transfer to a shallow airtight container - they'll stay good for up to 5 days refrigerated or up to 9 months frozen.

How to Reheat BLACK EYED PEAS

As far as reheating, our favorite way to reheat these black eyed peas is by far the Instant Pot! It warms everything up evenly and is just as easy as popping it in the microwave.

Just add your black eyed peas to the Instant Pot with a tablespoon or two of water. Then, cover, and set it to the steam function. Cook for about 5 minutes - adding a minute or two of cook time if you're starting from frozen.

By the way, you can also warm them in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes in 30-second intervals, or in a covered pot on the stovetop for a few minutes over medium heat.

FAQS ABOUT This INSTANT POT BLACK EYED PEAS Recipe

SHOULD I SOAK THE BLACK EYED PEAS BEFORE COOKING?

Nope! The great thing about this recipe is that there's absolutely no soaking needed for prepared black eyed peas. You can start with dried black eyed peas and get the same soft and tender results as you would from the pre-soaked and simmered kind. That said, if you want to soak them for digestive reasons, you can do that too. Let them sit in a 3:1 water to bean ratio of cool water for 6-8 hours or hot water for around 1 hour, covered.

CAN I USE FROZEN OR CANNED BLACK EYED PEAS?

You can definitely use frozen black eyed peas for this recipe if that's what you have available. Since the frozen kind is already partially cooked, you only need to cook them for 12-15 minutes on low pressure.

Canned black eyed peas, on the other hand, won't work for this recipe. They're already cooked all the way through, so pressure cooking them will basically turn them into mush.

WRAPPING IT ALL UP

Well, that's how to make black eyed peas Instant Pot style!

These pressure cooker black eyed peas are so quick, effortless, and tasty that you'll probably find yourself making them all the time. That's the case in our home, at least.

And I love serving this to my family because not only is it a crowd-pleaser, it's a really filling and nutritious side that doesn't cost a lot of money to make.

Anyway, I hope you like this black eyed peas recipe as much as my family and I do.

Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below if you make it!

More Instant Pot Recipes

If you liked how easy it was to make cooked black eyed peas in the Instant Pot, we have some more Instant Pot recipes you can try next! 

Check out these recipes: 

• Instant Pot sushi rice
• Instant pot coconut rice
• Instant Pot corn chowder
• Instant Pot polenta
• Instant Pot Japanese curry

Oh, and for different types of recipes, don't forget to follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. We post new recipes on them every single day.

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