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Easy to prep ahead of time, and only 4 ingredients, these Easy Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas (Cowpeas) are protein-rich and full of smoky, salty flavor. Serve by itself, over rice, or with cornbread for an easy entree or side dish!
Y’all. I mean it when I say you only need 4 ingredients to make this pot of beans taste good. As long as you adequately soak them, these black-eyed peas will turn out right for you every time.
For me, a bowl of black eyed peas and rice is comfort food. I have fond memories of my dad cooking this meal for our family when I was a kid, the pressure cooker hissing away on the stove. A steaming bowl of black eyed peas and rice with the salty, fatty bacon tasted so good when I was going through growth spurts and feeling SO hungry. Now as an adult, I still love black eyed peas and enjoy finding ways to use them like in my Black Eyed Pea Vegetable Soup!
Ingredients
As I stated earlier, you really only need 4 ingredients + water to achieve a delicious pot of black eyed peas.
- 1 lb. dried black eyed peas, soaked for 8-10 hours
- 12 oz raw good-quality bacon, chopped
- My favorite bacon right now is Coleman Natural Hickory Smoked Uncured Bacon because it does not contain any nitrates, nitrites, artificial colors, or artificial flavors.
- 1 1/2 tsp. sea salt (or to taste)
- beans and peas usually need more salt than you think 😉
- 1/4 tsp. white pepper (or to taste)
- Warm and nutty, white pepper provides a well-rounded, robust flavor base to meats, soups, beans, etc. I love using white pepper when cooking beans because it helps the beans not be bland. A little goes a long way! So start with 1/4 tsp. You can always add more to taste once the peas are done cooking.
- filtered water for soaking and more for cooking.
Tips for Making Black Eyed Peas
- Soak your black eyed peas for 8-12 hours for the easiest cooking experience. I often soak mine overnight and cook them the next morning. Alternatively, you could start soaking them in the morning and then cook them up at dinner time.
- My favorite way to approach making this meal is to soak the black eyed peas overnight and then cook them in the morning when I get the chance. That way dinner is made before noon and I can clean up the dishes early. That’s a win! You could also start soaking them in the morning cook them up at dinnertime. Make it work for your schedule!
- Soak the black-eyed peas right in the Instant Pot insert to save on a dirty bowl.
- The amount of water you add to the pot of beans during cooking time will determine how soupy or thick the beans are. If you want more broth, make sure the beans have 2-3 inches of water covering them right before you start the Instant Pot. If you want a thicker pot of beans, go for approximately an inch of water covering the beans.
- This meal is a fantastic option for meal prep and freezer meals too. You can make this pot of beans and freeze it in ziplocks for later. Thaw it for a fast and flavorful meal or side dish option!
FAQ’s
Can I make black-eyed peas without soaking them first?
Yes. You will need to cook them longer though. If you are cooking unsoaked black eyed peas, start with using the “Beans/Chili” setting for 45 minutes on the Instant Pot. Once the time is up and pressure is released. Check to see if they are tender. If you find they are still crunchy or firm, cook them for another 10-15 mins on the “Beans/Chili” setting, and then check them again.
Can I use black pepper instead of white pepper?
Yes, you can, though it will result in a slightly different flavor. I really recommend using white pepper though! White pepper pairs so well with the bacon in this recipe and ties the flavors together. It is definitely worth it in my opinion. But feel free to use whatever is available to you.
Ways to enjoy Easy Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Just like any other bean or pea, black eyed peas can be used in a variety of contexts. Enjoy this recipe by itself as a bean soup or serve it over rice for a delicious and filling entree. Black eyed peas are also a great side to barbecue, seafood, or chicken!
You can be confident that you are nourishing yourself and your family with a protein-rich meal when you serve this recipe for black eyed peas. 1 lb. of black eyed peas contains approximately 104 grams of protein, and the 12 oz. of bacon provides an additional 30 grams of protein. That means that in this entire pot of beans, you will have around 130 grams of nourishing protein. If you divide this recipe into 8 servings, each serving will be around 16 grams of protein.
Instant Pot vs. Pressure Cooker
I’ve been using a stovetop pressure cooker almost all my life to cook beans, and it does a fantastic job. However, the Instant Pot is also a second go-to option I use a lot when I want to “set and it forget it” and let it do the cooking for me.
If you choose to use a stovetop pressure cooker rather than an Instant Pot… follow the same exact soak time, ingredient amounts, and cook time (Refer to your pressure cooker manual for basic operation instructions if you’ve never used a pressure cooker before). Once all the ingredients are in the pot, bring the pressure cooker up to pressure on high heat. When the little pressure indicator button pops up, turn the stove heat down to medium let it cook for 35 minutes (or more if needed). Then turn off the heat and release the pressure.
How to Make Black Eyed Peas in the Instant Pot
Approximately 8-12 hours before you want to cook them, rinse the dried black eyed peas with water and remove any debris (I rarely find debris).
Then, add them to a large bowl (or to the Instant Pot insert) and cover with filtered water by 2-3 inches. Let soak for 8-12 hours. If the water level drops below the beans, add more water and continue soaking.
When ready to cook, add the black-eyed peas and soaking water to the Instant Pot insert. Add the 12 oz. raw bacon cut into 1-inch pieces, 1 1/2 tsp. sea salt, and 1/4 tsp. of white pepper. If needed, add additional water to cover the beans by approximately 1-3 inches (depending on how soupy or thick you want them).
Lock the lid on and select the “Beans/Chili” function for 35 minutes.
Once the cooking time has elapsed, release the pressure and check the beans for doneness. They should be completely soft yet still hold their shape. If they are still crunchy or too firm, place the lid back on and select the “Beans/Chili” function for another 5-10 minutes.
Once the black-eyed peas are cooked through, enjoy over rice as an entree or side dish!
More Easy Instant Pot Recipes
Hey! I’m glad you’re here! Give this recipe 5 stars if you try it and enjoy it.
Wherever you find yourself today…take time to nourish yourself!
Warmly, Caroline
Easy Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Equipment
- 1 Instant Pot or stovetop pressure cooker
- 1 Knife and Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 1 lb. dried black eyed peas soaked for 8-10 hours
- 12 oz. raw bacon cut into 1" pieces
- 1 1/2 tsp. sea salt
- 1/2 tsp. white pepper
- filtered water as needed
Instructions
- 8-12 hours before you plan to cook the black eyed peas, rinse them and remove any debris or unusual looking black eyed peas.
- Once rinsed, add them to a large bowl (or to the Instant Pot insert) and cover with approximately 3 inches of filtered water. Let soak for 8-12 hours.
- Once soaked, add the black eyed peas and soaking water into the Instant Pot insert. Add the chopped bacon, sea salt, and white pepper. Give this a stir.
- Assess if you need to add more water. If you want a soupier pot of beans that has more broth, add enough water to cover the beans by approximately 2-3 inches. If you want a thicker pot of beans, only cover the beans with about an inch of water.
- Lock the Instant Pot lid into place with the valve in the "pressurize" position. Select the "Chili/Beans" function and set the time for 35 minutes.
- Once done, release the pressure and check the black eyed peas for doneness. If they are at all crunchy or too firm, place the lid back on and select the "Chili/Beans" function for another 10 minutes.
- When the black eyed peas are done, they will hold their shape yet be completely tender. Taste and add more salt if needed. Serve over rice, with cornbread, or just by itself!
Who knew —Black eye peas could have so much flavor!!!!