This recipe for vegan Black Eyed Peas was initially printed in my cookbook Candy Potato Soul. Order it here for much more wonderful vegan southern and soul meals recipes.
Sure, you can also make scrumptious tender black-eyed peas with out utilizing animal merchandise. Take it from me, I’m a black lady from Georgia. I’ve eaten an enormous bowl of black eyed peas and collard greens on New Years Day yearly since I used to be 2! My genuine recipe makes use of plant-based spices to copy the smoky wealthy taste in your grandma’s pot of beans. And if you happen to’ve solely eaten black-eyed peas on New Years Day, this recipe will persuade you to eat these tasty beans all yr spherical.
These Genuine Vegan Black Eyed Peas are:
- Completely Scrumptious
- Tender
- Creamy
- Smoky
- Simple to make
- Nutritious
- Made stove-top or within the Immediate Pot
- 100% vegan
Why Black Eyed Peas are eaten for Good Luck
In each African American and Southern family it’s crucial to eat a bowl of black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Yr’s Day. I’ve not missed this custom since I used to be a child! Based on the superstition consuming a bowl of tender black-eyed peas will assure luck within the new yr, whereas collard greens signify the attraction of wealth. Some cooks put together their beans with a penny or dime within the pot. Whoever will get the coin of their bowl is claimed to obtain one of the best luck within the coming yr.
I’m fairly superstitious and take this custom very critically. It appears to have labored its magic in my life. However past luck, the easy means of getting ready a pot of black-eyed peas on New Yr’s Day is an effective way to begin the yr with a clear slate, to reconnect together with your intentions for the yr, and share a nourishing meal with those you like.
To learn extra in regards to the origins of this particular custom please learn my cookbook, Sweet Potato Soul. In it I discover the origins of many conventional southern and African American meals and culinary traditions.
The Star Elements
Black Eyed Peas: An important ingredient is, after all, black-eyed peas! That is my favourite bean. I like its creamy texture, earthy taste, and refined sweetness. They’ve a very particular style and texture. Like all beans, black-eyed peas are an amazing supply of fiber, protein, folate, magnesium, potassium, and iron. I often buy my black-eyed peas from my mates at Camellia beans or at a neighborhood grocery retailer.
Smoked Paprika: To make genuine vegan black eyed peas I substitute the smokiness from smoked pork, or ham hock, with smoked paprika. It really works like a appeal with out having to hurt an animal. As followers of this weblog know, I like smoked paprika and purchase it in bulk on-line. In case you are new to this spice, search for smoked paprika that’s saved in a tin can. Ensure it says smoked (Hungarian or candy will do) as a result of regular (unsmoked) paprika is not going to lower it right here.
Liquid smoke: To go with the smoked paprika and provides these beans a smoky increase, I take advantage of liquid smoke. This liquid condiment is vegan and accessible at most grocery shops.
Soy sauce: Belief me. Soy sauce and smoked paprika praise one another in any recipe. The smoky taste of smoked paprika is highlighted, and the richness and umami from soy sauce is accentuated when paired. Use tamari soy sauce if you would like a gluten free dish.
make Vegan Black Eyed Peas
- Sauté the aromatics in a big pot: onions, garlic, celery, and pink bell pepper.
- Add soaked and rinsed black-eyed peas adopted by 6 cups of vegetable broth. I often use water and Higher Than Bouillon veggie paste.
- Stir in a big bay leaf to the beans, and produce to a boil. Instantly cut back to a simmer and proceed to prepare dinner the beans over medium warmth with the lid ajar for 30-45 minutes. They are going to be cooked properly after half-hour, however you’ll need to prepare dinner them for upwards of 45 minutes for the creamiest texture.
- Season with smoked paprika, liquid smoke, soy sauce, and pepper within the final 10 minutes of cooking.
- Take pleasure in alongside collard greens with rice or cornbread.
Tricks to good this Vegan Black Eyed Peas Recipe
- Search for dry black-eyed peas that look easy, freed from holes, and will not be wrinkled. Soak your beans no less than 6 hours earlier than cooking. Nonetheless don’t soak longer than 10 hours, and the feel appears to vary when cooked. You should utilize store-bought frozen peas if you happen to neglect to soak them.
- You’ll want to add salt to the aromatics as they sauté. It will assist them soften and it’ll give them extra taste, in flip making a extra scrumptious pot of beans.
- The beans ought to be cooked properly after 35 minutes, however you’ll need to prepare dinner them for upwards of 45 minutes for the creamiest texture. To make them even creamier you need to use a handheld immersion blender to puree somewhat extra of the beans.
- I like leftover black eyed peas. Contemplate cooking them the day forward for an additional flavorful meal.
- IF USING THE INSTANT POT: Use much less vegetable broth when cooking your black eyed peas within the immediate pot. Use solely sufficient liquid to cowl the beans by a centimeter.
Do it’s important to use black eyed peas?
Based on Southern custom you need to use different sorts of leafy greens for the New Yr’s Day meal––like kale, mustard greens, or turnip greens––instead of collard greens, however the beans should stay black-eyed peas. Nonetheless, this recipe can be utilized with any beans––prepare dinner instances might differ.
Be at liberty to make use of the aromatics you might have available. In the event you solely have pink onion or leeks, these will work to interchange yellow onion. Inexperienced bell pepper can be utilized instead of pink.
In the event you’re craving a much less conventional recipe for New Yr’s black eyed peas, try my Candy Potato Black Eyed Pea Curry recipe.
reheat & freeze
These vegan black eyed peas make one of the best leftovers! They’re even tastier and creamier on days 2 and three. They need to maintain contemporary within the fridge for as much as 5 days. Reheat your beans in a pot on the range or within the microwave.
Black-eyed peas freeze properly. Retailer them in a freezer protected container for as much as 3 months.
Attempt these different Vegan Southern recipes:
Smoky Collard Greens
Candy Potato Black Eyed Pea Curry
There are much more black-eyed pea recipes in my cookbook: black eyed pea desserts, black eyed pea hummus, black eyed pea pot pie, and Harlem Caviar (essentially the most scrumptious chilly black eyed pea salad). Click here to purchase the cookbook on Amazon.

Genuine Vegan Black Eyed Peas
This recipe is reprinted from my cookbook Candy Potato Soul. The cookbook is stuffed with much more scrumptious vegan black eyed pea recipes like black eyed pea desserts, black eyed pea hummus, black eyed pea pot pie, and Harlem Caviar. It is accessible wherever cookbooks are offered.
Elements
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 1 massive pink bell pepper diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper seeded and diced (elective)
- 1 cup diced celery
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 pound dried black eyed peas sorted, rinsed, and soaked for 8 hours
- 6 cups veggie broth or 6 cups water plus 6 teaspoons of vegetable bouillon paste, or 6 cups water plus 2 veggie bouillon cubes
- 1 massive bay leaf
- 1 tsp dried thyme and/or oregano elective
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp liquid smoke
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp freshly floor black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Directions
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In a big dutch oven, warmth the oil over medium-high warmth.
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Add the onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, celery, and garlic and sauté till the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.
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Add the black-eyed peas, veggie broth, and bay leaf.
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Cowl and produce to a lightweight boil. Scale back the warmth to medium-low and simmer for about 40 minutes, or till the beans are tender and the broth has thickened.
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Stir within the smoked paprika, liquid smoke, soy sauce, pepper, and cayenne.
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Take away from the warmth and let the beans cool a bit.
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Serve with collard greens and rice or cornbread.
INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS
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Set the Instant Pot to sauté on medium warmth and add the oil.
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When the oil is sizzling, add the onion, bell pepper, jalapeño, celery, and garlic and sauté till the onion is translucent, about 3 minutes.
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Add the soaked black-eyed peas, ONLY ENOUGH VEGGIE BROTH TO COVER THE BEANS ABOUT 1 CENTIMETER, and bay leaf.
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Place the lid on the Immediate Pot and lock in place.
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Cancel the sauté and set the Immediate Pot to strain prepare dinner on excessive for 10 minutes. In case you are utilizing un-soaked beans (which is suitable utilizing the Immediate Pot) strain prepare dinner for 35 minutes.
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Let the Immediate Pot pure strain launch for five minutes, then vent totally and switch off the machine.
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Fastidiously take away the highest of the pot and stir within the smoked paprika, liquid smoke, soy sauce, pepper, and cayenne.
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Take away from the warmth and let the beans cool a bit earlier than serving with collard greens and rice or cornbread.