The Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas Recipe is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for
any meal, offering a quick and convenient way to enjoy this Southern classic with
minimal effort. This recipe is incredibly useful for busy weeknights or traditional New
Year’s Day celebrations, delivering a delicious and nutritious meal straight from your
pressure cooker. With the Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas Recipe, you’ll have a
stove-top quality dish in a fraction of the time.
Key Ingredients for Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas Recipe
To create this delightful Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas Recipe, gather the following
ingredients:
- 1 pound dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and picked over for debris
- 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ham hock or 4 ounces smoked turkey (for flavor, optional)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a kick)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- (Optional, for serving) Fresh collard greens, cooked rice, cornbread, hot sauce.
How to Make Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas Recipe
This Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas Recipe is incredibly easy, delicious, and deeply satisfying,
transforming humble ingredients into a comforting and flavorful meal. Its simplicity and
the depth of flavor, especially from the tender peas and savory broth, make it a true
standout. You’ll love how quickly the Instant Pot brings this Southern classic to life,
making it perfect for any day of the week with a total preparation and cooking time of
around 45-50 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s how to create your perfect Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas Recipe:
- Prepare the Black-Eyed Peas: Begin by thoroughly rinsing the 1 pound of dried black-
eyed peas under cold water. Carefully spread them out on a clean surface or
baking sheet to pick through and remove any small stones or debris. Soaking is
not necessary for this Instant Pot method. - Sauté Aromatics: Press the “Sauté” button on your Instant Pot and add 1
tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the finely diced 1 large yellow onion, 2
celery stalks, and 1 green bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7
minutes until the vegetables have softened. Add the 4 cloves of minced garlic and
cook for another minute until fragrant. - Add Flavor Builders: Stir in 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon of dried
thyme, and ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 30 seconds more,
allowing the spices to become fragrant. - Combine Ingredients in Instant Pot: Add the rinsed black-eyed peas to the Instant
Pot. Pour in 6 cups of chicken or vegetable broth. If using, add the 1 ham hock
or 4 ounces of smoked turkey directly into the pot. Tuck in 1 bay leaf. - Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, ensuring the sealing
valve is in the “Sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” setting
(High Pressure) and set the timer for 20-25 minutes. If you prefer firmer peas,
go with 20 minutes; for softer peas, use 25 minutes. - Natural Release: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to natural
release pressure for 10-15 minutes. This slow release helps tenderize the peas
evenly and prevents them from bursting. After 10-15 minutes, carefully move the
sealing valve to the “Venting” position to quick-release any remaining pressure. - Finish and Serve: Carefully remove the lid. If you used a ham hock or smoked
turkey, remove it from the pot. Discard the bay leaf. If using a ham hock, you can
shred the meat from the bone and return it to the pot, discarding the bone and
fat. Season the black-eyed peas with salt and freshly ground black pepper to
taste. Stir well. Serve hot, garnished with fresh collard greens, over cooked rice,
with a side of cornbread, and a dash of hot sauce if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas Recipe
You’ll quickly fall in love with this Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas Recipe because it embodies
all the comforting warmth of a traditional Southern dish with the unbeatable convenience
of modern cooking. Its main feature is the wonderfully tender black-eyed peas, bathed in a
rich, smoky broth that’s bursting with flavor from the ham hock (or smoked turkey) and
aromatic vegetables. Making this at home is a fantastic cost-saver compared to dining out,
and it allows you to control the quality of ingredients, ensuring a wholesome and delicious
meal without the hefty price tag.
The flavorful depth of this recipe is elevated by simple yet effective toppings like a
splash of hot sauce, a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, or a side of fluffy cornbread
that soaks up all that savory broth. Unlike a slow cooker version that takes hours, this
Instant Pot method delivers incredible taste in a fraction of the time, making it a perfect
weeknight staple. Don’t wait—try this amazing Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas Recipe
today and experience the magic for yourself!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To ensure your Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas Recipe remains delicious for days, proper storage
is key. Once cooled to room temperature, transfer the black-eyed peas to an airtight
container. They can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer
storage, this dish freezes exceptionally well. Portion the black-eyed peas into freezer-
safe bags or containers, leaving a little headspace as liquids expand when frozen. They will
keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw frozen black-eyed peas overnight in the refrigerator. To reheat,
gently warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated
through. You can also microwave individual portions in 60-second intervals, stirring in
between, until hot. If the peas seem too thick after reheating, a splash of broth or water
can help restore their desired consistency, ensuring they taste just as good as they did on
day one.
Final Thoughts
This Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas Recipe is a true delight, offering a deeply satisfying
and flavorful meal with minimal effort. We encourage you to try this simple yet delicious
recipe; it’s perfect for a comforting family dinner or a festive occasion. Enjoy the rich,
hearty taste of homemade black-eyed peas delivered quickly by your Instant Pot.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest

Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Black-Eyed Peas: Begin by thoroughly rinsing the 1 pound of dried black-eyed peas under cold water. Carefully spread them out on a clean surface or baking sheet to pick through and remove any small stones or debris. Soaking is not necessary for this Instant Pot method.1 pound dried black-eyed peas
- Sauté Aromatics: Press the “Sauté” button on your Instant Pot and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Once hot, add the finely diced 1 large yellow onion, 2 celery stalks, and 1 green bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables have softened. Add the 4 cloves of minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 large yellow onion, 2 celery stalks, 1 green bell pepper, 4 cloves garlic
- Add Flavor Builders: Stir in 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon of dried thyme, and ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 30 seconds more, allowing the spices to become fragrant.1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Combine Ingredients in Instant Pot: Add the rinsed black-eyed peas to the Instant Pot. Pour in 6 cups of chicken or vegetable broth. If using, add the 1 ham hock or 4 ounces of smoked turkey directly into the pot. Tuck in 1 bay leaf.1 pound dried black-eyed peas, 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth, 1 ham hock or 4 ounces smoked turkey, 1 bay leaf
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, ensuring the sealing valve is in the “Sealing” position. Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” setting (High Pressure) and set the timer for 20-25 minutes. If you prefer firmer peas, go with 20 minutes; for softer peas, use 25 minutes.
- Natural Release: Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the Instant Pot to natural release pressure for 10-15 minutes. This slow release helps tenderize the peas evenly and prevents them from bursting. After 10-15 minutes, carefully move the sealing valve to the “Venting” position to quick-release any remaining pressure.
- Finish and Serve: Carefully remove the lid. If you used a ham hock or smoked turkey, remove it from the pot. Discard the bay leaf. If using a ham hock, you can shred the meat from the bone and return it to the pot, discarding the bone and fat. Season the black-eyed peas with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir well. Serve hot, garnished with fresh collard greens, over cooked rice, with a side of cornbread, and a dash of hot sauce if desired.1 ham hock or 4 ounces smoked turkey, 1 bay leaf, Salt and freshly ground black pepper, Fresh collard greens, cooked rice, cornbread, hot sauce