Cook in a slow cooker or on the stovetop unsoaked or soaked, Slow Cooked Vegetarian Black-Eyed Peas are not just for new years. Black-eyed peas make a hearty stand alone meal or can become a part of other delicious recipes! This recipe is vegan and easily gluten free.You'll need a 6 quart or larger slow cooker or Dutch oven for this recipe.Age of the black-eyed peas and variations in slow cooker temperature will effect how long the beans need to cook before they're done. The peas are ready when they're tender yet not mushy.
Recipe by Traci York on December 27, 2019
Prep time: PT20M
Total time: PT290M
Rating
5 stars (38 reviews)
Keywords
Black Eyed Peas Crock Pot, How to Make Black Eyed Peas, Slow Cooked Black Eyed Peas, Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas, Vegan Black Eyed Peas, Vegetarian Black Eyed Peas
Ingredients
1 ½ cups (270 grams) Dry Black Eyed Peas
2 Cloves of Garlic (minced)
1 cup (140 grams) Purple/Red Onion (medium dice, about one small onion)
½ cup (70 grams) Red Bell Pepper (small dice, about 1/2 a medium bell)
½ cup (70 grams) Green Bell Pepper (small dice, about 1/2 a medium bell)
2 teaspoons Tabasco
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke ( gluten free if needed)
1 teaspoon Prepared Yellow Mustard
1 Bayleaf
5 cups (1.1 kg) Low Sodium Vegetable Broth
¼ cup (6 grams) Chopped Parsley or Green Onion (for Garnish)
Categories
Component
Dinner
Cuisine
American
Steps
Decide on cooking method (crock pot or stovetop) and if you'll soak the peas or not. Soaking isn't necessary, but If soaking, soak overnight in enough water to cover the peas by about four inches (1.5cm). Rinse and drain the peas before cooking. Soaking reduces the cook time only slightly.
To Cook the PeasMeasure, rinse and sort through the peas making sure they are free of stones and dirt. Choose method A or B to cook the peas. A. For the Crock Pot: Add the black eyed peas to a 6 quart crock pot, garlic, onion, bell pepper, Tabasco, salt, liquid smoke, mustard, bayleaf and veggie broth (5 cups of broth/water if using unsoaked peas, 4 cups if using soaked peas) to the slow cooker. Give the ingredients a stir, place the lid on the slow cooker. Unsoaked Peas: Cook on high for about 4 -5 hours or low for about 6-7 hours. Soaked Peas: Cook on high for about 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 hours or low for about 5 1/2 - 6 1/2 hours.B. For the Stovetop: In a medium saucepot or Dutch oven, add the black eyed peas, garlic, onion, bell pepper, Tabasco, salt, liquid smoke, mustard, bayleaf and veggie broth (5 cups of broth/water if using unsoaked peas, 4 cups if using soaked peas) . Bring to a boil, turn down to low or to a low simmer and cook for 45 minutes to one hour, uncovered. If the peas start drying out add more broth/water as needed. Soaked peas take just a little bit less time than unsoaked peas to cook.
Age of beans and variations in slow cooker temperature will effect how long the beans need to cook before they're done. Start checking the peas before indicated cooking times are complete. Taste the beans for texture. The beans are ready when they're tender, still have a tooth yet are not mushy. Taste for salt adjustment.
Serve the peas with or without their broth, garnish with parsley or green onions. Peas can also be served as a soup. Simply puree about 2-3 cups in a blender and return the puree' to soup pot with the remaining whole peas. Stir and ladle into soup bowls.
Store in a lidded container in the refrigerator for up to three days or in the freezer for up to two weeks.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 81 kcal
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Protein: 5 g
Fat: 0.4 g
Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
Sodium: 438 mg
Sugar: 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: 0.15 g
Reviews
Justin on 2026-02-17 (5 stars): This is the 2nd time making this recipe, 1st time I used frozen black eyed peas it came out perfectly, tonight I'm making it again using canned black eyed peas any tips?
Homa on 2026-01-05 (5 stars): This was delicious! Thank you! We had it with your cornbread recipe. I’ll write a comment there too.
Suzanne on 2026-01-04 (5 stars): My family said this is the best black eyed peas recipe they’ve had. Will definitely make it again!
Stephanie on 2025-12-16 (5 stars): Traci,
This is the best black eyed pea recipe! I made a few minor changes because I did not have liquid smoke, tobasco or mustard. I added 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and 4 fresh chopped Bella mushrooms for a little extra oomph and texture, fantastic black eyed pea recipe, my new favorite and will make for new years from now on! Thank you!
Jocelyne on 2025-09-10 (5 stars): I found this recipe last night so I soaked the beans overnight because I wanted to cook 1lb of beans. They only took about 30 to 40 minutes and they were nicely done. I made the recipe on the stove top and after cooking the onions and peppers I added the garlic and the seasoning. I only use 1/2 tsp of tabasco and 1/2 tsp of smoke liquid. I added 3 cups of cooked beans and enough liquid to cover them and cook everything another 30 minutes. Served on polenta with a green salad. Was delicious. Have enough for tomorrow with quinoa and will freeze the rest for another time. Thank you.
Shanequa on 2025-08-21 (5 stars): I come from a family of great cooks, but this is the best black eyed peas I've ever had! I followed the recipe exactly as is and it is beyond perfect! My family loves it just as much!
Barbara on 2025-01-01 (5 stars): Great recipe. I make the peas every Jan 1, and have always used ham of some sort for flavor. I’ve been watching my cholesterol these days, so I looked for something different. I absolutely loved these peas. I’ll never go back. I made the recipe as it is except for the tobasco. Used a slow cooker.
Jennifer on 2024-02-06 (5 stars): This is an amazing recipe!! My first time making them and they were perfect following the recipe just as it. Thank You
Marilyn on 2024-01-06 (5 stars): So easy and delicious. I make this every January to start the new year. Love the leftovers.