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Creamy Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe

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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.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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

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

Find it online: https://dishfoody.com/creamy-southern-black-eyed-peas-recipe/