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Easy Slow Cooker Southern Black Eyed Peas with Bacon

A white bowl filled with seasoned black eyed peas and topped generously with crumbled, crispy bacon pieces.
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Make authentic Southern black eyed peas with deep, smoky flavor using your slow cooker. This recipe delivers comfort food results with minimal effort, perfect for family dinners or New Year’s tradition.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound dried black eyed peas, rinsed and picked over
  • 6 cups chicken broth or water
  • 4 ounces bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste after cooking)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Place the rinsed black eyed peas into the basin of your slow cooker.
  2. Add the chicken broth or water to the slow cooker.
  3. In a separate skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
  4. Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the bacon grease and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  5. Add the minced garlic to the onions and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Scrape the onion and garlic mixture into the slow cooker over the peas.
  7. Stir in the smoked paprika, thyme, and black pepper into the slow cooker. Do not add salt yet.
  8. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours, until the peas are tender.
  9. Once cooked, stir in the apple cider vinegar and half of the reserved crispy bacon.
  10. Taste the peas and add salt as needed. Stir well.
  11. Serve the black eyed peas warm, garnished with the remaining crispy bacon pieces.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use vegetable broth. Add 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke for a smoky flavor profile.
  • If you prefer a creamier texture, mash about 1/4 cup of the cooked peas against the side of the slow cooker before serving.
  • This dish pairs well with cornbread and collard greens for a complete Southern meal.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.unfoldrecipes.com/easy-slow-cooker-southern-black-eyed-peas/