Creamy Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe

Hi, I’m Sam from dishfoody.com, where comforting classics get a fresh twist. Creamy Southern Black Eyed Peas slow-simmer dried peas with smoked turkey, onion, garlic, and Cajun spices until they break down into velvety pot liquor perfect for cornbread scooping. Ready in 90 minutes, they serve 8 with rich broth coating tender peas beautifully.

Why This Recipe Works

Smoked turkey infuses deep flavor without pork. Low slow simmer breaks down peas naturally creating starch-thickened creaminess. Trinity (onion, celery, bell pepper) builds Southern base. Bay leaves + thyme provide aromatic backbone. Final butter swirl adds restaurant gloss.

Ingredients & Prep

Peas:

• 1 lb dried black eyed peas, sorted
• 8 cups chicken stock
• 1 lb smoked turkey wings

Trinity:

• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 celery ribs, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced

Seasoning:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt + pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Rinse peas; quick soak: boil 2 minutes, rest 1 hour, drain.
2. Sauté trinity in butter 8 minutes soft. Add garlic 1 minute.
3. Stir Cajun seasoning, thyme, bay leaves 30 seconds fragrant.
4. Add peas, stock, turkey wings. Simmer covered 60-75 minutes until peas creamify.
5. Remove turkey; shred meat back in. Mash few peas for thickness. Adjust salt.

Flavor Variations

Storage Tips

Fridge 5 days; freezes 3 months.

FAQs

Still soupy?
Simmer uncovered 15 minutes; mash peas.

Too salty?
Rinse peas well; low-sodium stock.

Foamy?
Skim surface; add onion skin.

Conclusion

Creamy Southern Black Eyed Peas soulful-hugs tradition velvety perfection.

Creamy Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe

Print Recipe

Creamy Southern Black Eyed Peas deliver tender peas slow-cooked with smoked turkey, bacon fat, and the holy trinity of Southern cooking onions, bell peppers, and celery. Richly seasoned with Cajun spices and finished with butter for velvety texture, perfect for New Year’s luck or Sunday supper.

• Author: ssam
• Prep Time: 20 mins (+ soaking)
• Cook Time: 90 mins
• Total Time: 2 hours 10 mins
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Southern

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb dried black-eyed peas, sorted and rinsed
• 2 tbsp bacon fat or olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb smoked turkey wings or necks
• 8 cups chicken stock or water
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp Cajun or Creole seasoning
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Hot sauce (optional)
• Chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions

• 1. Place peas in large bowl, cover with water by 2 inches. Soak overnight or quick-soak: boil 2 minutes, remove from heat, cover 1 hour. Drain well.
• 2. Heat bacon fat in large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, celery; cook 8-10 minutes until softened (the trinity). Add garlic, cook 1 minute.
• 3. Add drained peas, smoked turkey, chicken stock, bay leaves, Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer. Cover partially, cook 45-60 minutes until peas tender, stirring occasionally. Add liquid if needed.
• 4. Remove turkey, shred meat off bones, return to pot. Discard bones/skin. Stir in butter until melted. Simmer uncovered 15-20 minutes to thicken. Mash few peas against pot side for creamier texture.
• 5. Remove bay leaves. Season with salt, pepper, hot sauce. Garnish with green onions. Serve with cornbread, collards, rice.

Notes

• Smoked turkey > ham hocks for cleaner flavor; bacon ends work too.
• Don’t skip the soak reduces cooking time, prevents gas.
• Potato masher creates authentic creamy Southern texture.
• Fresh peas? Skip soak, reduce cooking to 30 minutes.
• Freezes perfectly up to 3 months. Thaw overnight, reheat gently.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 980mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 11g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: creamy southern black eyed peas, cajun black eyed peas, new years black eyed peas