Name: Simple Black-Eyed Peas from Dried Peas
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 pound dried black-eyed peas; 6–8 cups water or chicken broth; 1 small onion, chopped (optional but recommended); Salt and black pepper, to taste; Optional additions:; Ham hock or ham bone; Bacon or salt pork; Bay leaf; Minced garlic; Red pepper flakes; Fresh or pickled jalapenos (Sliced or Diced)

(An Inexpensive Southern Staple)

There is something comforting about a pot of black-eyed peas slowly simmering on the stove. Every time I cook them, the smell brings back great childhood memories of family meals.

Black-Eyed Peas are the kind of food that stretch a dollar, fill bellies, and carry memories of family meals, New Year’s Day traditions, and simple home cooking.

Collage showing black-eyed peas soup: a close-up of a spoonful, a bowl with cornbread, and a pot simmering on the stove. Text reads “Simple Black-Eyed Peas from Dried Peas,” highlighting this beloved Southern staple.

Learning how to make black-eyed peas from dried peas is one of the easiest and most affordable skills you can have in your kitchen.

Simple Black-Eyed Peas from Dried Peas

A hand holds a spoonful of Black-Eyed Peas and cornbread over a white bowl filled with hearty Black-Eyed Peas, all set on a green table with a cream-colored woven table runner.

If you’ve only ever used canned peas, you may be surprised at just how simple dried black-eyed peas are to prepare. With very little effort, you can turn a one-dollar bag of peas into a hearty, flavorful side dish or main meal that feeds a family.

Why Cook Black-Eyed Peas from Dried Peas?

Dried peas are:

Extremely inexpensive (usually under $2 per pound)
More flavorful than canned peas
Free of added sodium and preservatives
Easy to customize with simple seasonings
Perfect for stretching meals on a budget

One pound of dried peas can easily feed 6–8 people, making this one of the most budget-friendly dishes you can cook.

Quick Summary:

To make black-eyed peas from dried peas: rinse and sort the peas, then simmer them in water or broth with simple seasonings for about 60–90 minutes until tender. No soaking is required, although soaking can reduce your cooking time. Dried black-eyed peas are inexpensive, nutritious, and perfect for budget-friendly meals.

Simple Ingredients You Will Need

Chopped onions and sliced jalapeños are being sautéed in a white pot with a wooden spoon, preparing the base for a classic Southern staple like black-eyed peas, with a decorative sign and stove visible in the background.

Step by Step Instructions

A steaming pot of soup with macaroni noodles, chopped green vegetables, and tender black-eyed peas is being stirred with a wooden spoon on a stovetop. A decorative plaque and kitchen utensils are visible in the background.

Instructions

Sort and Rinse the Peas
Pour the dried peas onto a plate or baking sheet and remove any small stones or damaged peas. Rinse them thoroughly under cold water.

A colander works great for rinsing them.

Soak the Peas (Optional)
Soaking is not required, but it can shorten the cooking time.
To soak: cover the peas with water and soak for 6–8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse before cooking.

If you skip soaking, just allow extra cooking time.

Add Ingredients to the Pot
Place the peas in a large pot and cover with water or broth. Add onion, jalapenos, and any optional meat or seasonings.

You can also saute the onion and jalapeno in the pan before adding the peas and liquid. This just gives more flavor to the peas.

Bring to a Boil, Then Simmer
Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer:
Soaked peas: 60 – 90 minutes
Unsoaked peas: 1 – 2 Hours
Stir occasionally and add more liquid as needed.

* The longer you cook them, the softer they get. *You can also adjust the consistency of the peas and make the juice thicker by letting them simmer longer with the lid off of the pan. Add more liquid if you want the juice thinner.

Season and Serve
Once the peas are tender, season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove any bones or bay leaves before serving.

How Much Does it Cost to Make Black-Eyed Peas?

This is one of the most affordable meals you can make:

1 lb dried black-eyed peas: $1–$2
Onion/Jalapeno: under $1
Optional meat (ham hock): $2–$3 (When you bake a ham, save the ham bone and freeze it until you are ready to cook your black-eyed peas. Then the meat is no additional cost.)

A pot of simmering soup with large chunks of meat, onions, and spices—including Southern staple black-eyed peas—sits on a stove. A wooden spoon rests inside the pot. In the background, a decorative sign with an inspirational quote hangs on the wall.

Total cost: Usually under $5 for enough to feed a family.

Compared to canned peas, cooking from dried costs less per serving and gives you more tasty food.

Serving Ideas

A bowl of southern staple black-eyed peas in broth is served alongside two pieces of golden cornbread on a ceramic dish, placed on a green table with a fringed white table runner.

Black-eyed peas are very versatile. Serve them:

With cornbread or biscuits
Over hot rice
As a side for pork chops or fried chicken
With cabbage, collard greens, or turnip greens (along with hot sauce)
Always as a New Year’s Day tradition for good luck
Use them in a Black-Eyed Pea casserole

Storage and Leftovers

Refrigerator: Store cooked peas in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze in usable sized portions for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Warm them gently on the stove or in the microwave with a little bit of water or broth if needed.

Helpful Items

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You really don’t need a lot of equipment to cook dried peas. As long as you have a large pot or some sort or a crock pot, you should be fine. Here are some examples, but any type will do.

Dutch Oven
Slow Cooker
Divided Bowl (I love these)

A white enameled cast iron Dutch oven with a lid and side handles, labeled "Unite Chef," sits beside two triangular, black-and-white polka dot pot holders—perfect for simmering Southern staples like Black-Eyed Peas or dried peas.

FAQs for Cooking Dried Black-Eyed Peas

Do black-eyed peas need to be soaked before cooking?

No, soaking is optional. Soaking reduces the cooking time, but unsoaked peas cook just fine if you let them simmer longer.

Why are my peas still hard?

They may need more cooking time. Older dried peas can take longer to soften, especially if you don’t soak them.

When should I add salt?

It’s best to add salt toward the end of cooking. Adding salt too early can slow the softening process.

Are dried black-eyed peas healthier than canned?

Yes, dried peas contain no added sodium or preservatives and allow you to control the amount and types of seasonings you add.

Can I make black-eyed peas in a slow cooker?

Yes, cook the peas in a crock pot or slow cooker on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours until they are tender.

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Printable Recipe Card

Yield: 6-8 Servings

Simple Black-Eyed Peas from Dried Peas

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound dried black-eyed peas
6–8 cups water or chicken broth
1 small onion, chopped (optional but recommended)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional additions:
Ham hock or ham bone
Bacon or salt pork
Bay leaf
Minced garlic
Red pepper flakes
Fresh or pickled jalapenos (Sliced or Diced)

Instructions

1. Sort and Rinse the Peas

Pour the dried peas onto a plate or baking sheet and remove any small stones or damaged peas. Rinse thoroughly under cold water.

2. Soak the Peas (Optional)

Soaking is not required, but it can shorten the cooking time.

To soak: cover the peas with water and soak for 6–8 hours or overnight.
Drain and rinse before cooking.

If you skip soaking, just allow extra cooking time.

3. Add Ingredients to the Pot

Place peas in a large pot and cover with water or broth. Add onion, jalapenos, and any optional meat or seasonings.

4. Bring to a Boil, Then Simmer

Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer:

Soaked peas: 60 - 90 minutes
Unsoaked peas: 1 - 2 Hours

Stir occasionally and add more liquid as needed.

5. Season and Serve

Once peas are tender, season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove any bones or bay leaves before serving.

Notes

The longer you cook the peas, the softer they get.

You can adjust the consistency of the peas and make the juice thicker by letting them simmer longer with the lid off of the pan. Add more liquid if you want the juice thinner.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 52Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 2mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 3g

I use a plugin to obtain nutritional information and am not responsible for any errors that may occur. The information provided for the recipes may vary if you do not use the same ingredients, measurements, or cooking techniques. All recipe related nutritional information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as a USDA food label. I make no warranties for the outcome of your food experiments.

Learning how to make black-eyed peas from dried peas is one of those old-fashioned kitchen skills that still matters today. It’s inexpensive, nourishing, and deeply comforting. It is the exact kind of meal that brings families together around the table.

If you’re looking for a simple way to stretch your grocery budget while still serving something hearty and homemade, a pot of black-eyed peas is always a good place to start.

2 Comments

Esme Slabbert says:

at

Amazing, love peas and ham hock soup.
Thank you for linking to SSPS 394. See you again on Monday

1. Susan Sikes says:
  
  at
  
  I am looking forward to it!

Simple Black-Eyed Peas from Dried Peas

(An Inexpensive Southern Staple)

Simple Black-Eyed Peas from Dried Peas

Why Cook Black-Eyed Peas from Dried Peas?