New Year'S Day Black-Eyed Peas
A hearty Southern dish of black-eyed peas with smoky sausage, flavorful herbs, and vegetables, perfect for New Year's Day or comforting family dinners.
Ingredients
- 16 oz. black-eyed peas ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. salt pork ⓘ
- 3 cups onion ⓘ
- 1 bunch green onion ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped parsley ⓘ
- 1 cup green pepper ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic ⓘ
- 2 lb. smoked sausage ⓘ
- salt to taste ⓘ
- red pepper to taste ⓘ
- pepper to taste ⓘ
- 3 dashes hot sauce
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp thyme ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp oregano ⓘ
- rice ⓘ
Instructions
- Soak the black-eyed peas overnight.
- Cook pork, peas, and water for 45 minutes on low heat.
- Add the onion, green onion, parsley, green pepper, garlic, salt, red pepper, pepper, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, thyme, and oregano. Cover and cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour on low heat.
- Add the smoked sausage and cook uncovered for 45 minutes.
- Serve the black-eyed peas and sausage over rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using ham hocks instead of salt pork. If you prefer a vegetarian option, substitute the meat with smoked tempeh or omit it entirely. Soaking the black-eyed peas overnight enhances their texture and reduces cooking time. Additionally, you can adjust the spice level by varying the amount of hot sauce or red pepper.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the black-eyed peas over fluffy rice for a hearty meal. They pair wonderfully with cornbread or a side of String Beans And New Potatoes for a complete spread. For a festive touch, garnish with additional chopped parsley or green onions. This dish also makes for a great potluck contribution, especially on New Year’s Day.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover black-eyed peas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm them on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water if they seem dry. You can also microwave them for quick reheating, ensuring they are heated thoroughly before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of New Year'S Day Black-Eyed Peas contains roughly 607 calories, with 17g protein, 121g carbohydrates, and 11g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (117% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (81% of the Daily Value), and calcium (60% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1409mg per serving (61% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned black-eyed peas instead of dried?
Yes, you can use canned black-eyed peas to save time. Drain and rinse them before adding them to the pot in step 3. Reduce the cooking time accordingly, as they are already cooked and just need to be heated through.
What can I serve with black-eyed peas?
Black-eyed peas are traditionally served with rice, but they also pair nicely with cornbread or collard greens. For added flavor, serve them alongside a tangy Cauliflower-Raisin Salad to balance the richness of the dish.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Absolutely! Black-eyed peas freeze well. Allow them to cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers or bags. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).