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These Crockpot Black Eyed Peas are the kind of cozy comfort food my crew always comes back to. The slow cooker does all the work, turning the peas tender and letting them soak up layers of flavor from smoky bacon, garlic, and onion. What you end up with is a savory, soul-warming dish you’ll find yourself making on repeat—whether it’s for a family dinner, New Year's Day, or just because you’re craving a bowl of something hearty.

Overhead photo of a bowl with crockpot black eyed peas garnished with parsley.

Few things are more comforting than a pot of southern black-eyed peas.

Each spoonful is like a comforting hug, reminding you of home, no matter where you are.

Some people eat them only on New Year's Day for good luck, but at my house, we enjoy them throughout the year.

Ingredients & Subsitutions

Overhead photo of broth, black eyed pease, chopped onion, celery, carrots and bacon, oil, vinegar, garlic and seasonings.

Dry Black-Eyed Peas: Make sure to rinse them well before putting your black eyed peas in the crockpot.
Onion: I recommend using yellow or white onion.
Minced Garlic: A teaspoon of garlic powder can be use if you prefer.
Smoked Paprika:Use regular paprika if you don't have smoked.
Cayenne Pepper: Adjust this to your preference, or swap it out for a milder spice like chili powder if you're sensitive to spice.
Chicken Broth: Vegetable broth can be easily substituted for a vegetarian version.
Red Wine Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can also be used.

Step-by-Step Instructions

For the full recipe for crockpot black-eyed peas with measurements, see the recipe card at the end of the post.

Overhead photo of black eyed peas in a slow cooker. — Rinse the black-eyed peas under warm water until the water runs clear, and then transfer them to your crock-pot.

Close up photo of bacon, onion, carrot, and celery that are ready to cook in a skillet. — Next, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. It's time to add our flavorful friends: bacon, onion, celery, and carrots.

Onion, garlic, carrot, celery, and seasonings in a skillet. — Cook for 8 minutes, and then add in your garlic, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper into the mix.

Dried black eyed peas in a slow cooker with onion, celery, carrot, garlic, and seasonings over them. — Transfer this delicious medley to the slow cooker, joining the black-eyed peas.

Vinegar being added to a slow cooker with black eyed peas and seasonings. — Pour in the broth and red wine vinegar.

Overhead photo of a slow cooker with black eyed peas ready to cook. — Cover your slow cooker, set it on HIGH heat, and let it work its magic for 6 hours.

Overhead photo of salt and pepper being added to black eyed peas in a slow cooker. — Add the salt and pepper.

Black eyed peas in a slow cooker that they have been cooked in. — Cook for about 15 more minutes.

Tips and Tricks

Flexibility with ingredients: Feel free to experiment with the vegetables you add to your black eyed peas. Try adding bell peppers or even some diced tomatoes for a different flavor profile.
Spice it up: If you like heat, feel free to add more cayenne pepper. You could also add a diced jalapeno or two for an extra kick. Cajun seasoning is also a nice addition.
Bacon substitution: If you don't eat pork, you can substitute the bacon with turkey bacon or even smoked turkey leg. For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and add a dash of liquid smoke for that smoky flavor. Or, if you want to go all-in on the pork, add a ham hock to the beans.
Perfect pairing: These Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas pair wonderfully with a side of cast iron cornbread, Instant Pot jasmine rice, or CrockPot mac and cheese.

Soaking Questions

Do black-eyed peas have to be soaked overnight before cooking?

You do not need to soak black eyed peas overnight when you cook them in your slow cooker.

However, if you have the time, a quick soak can help them cook more evenly and make them easier to digest.

If you do soak them overnight, I recommend reducing the cooking temperature to low.

Can you cook black-eyed peas for too long?

Yes, if cooked for an extended period of time, black-eyed peas can become mushy. It's best to check them periodically and stop cooking once they are tender.

Photo of black eyed peas in a slow cooker garnished with parsley.

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Close up square photo of slow cooker black eyed peas in a bowl.

Print Recipe

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No-Soak Crockpot Black Eyed Peas with Bacon

Crockpot Black Eyed Peas are hearty comfort food that is perfect for any occasion. Using a slow cooker, we let the black-eyed peas simmer to a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Along the way, they will absorb a medley of flavors from accompanying ingredients like bacon, garlic, and onion. The result is a savory, comforting dish you’ll turn to again and again.

Prep Time15

Cook Time6 15

Total Time6 30

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Keyword: slow cooker

Servings:

Calories: 273kcal

Author: Wendy Polisi

Ingredients

16 ounces dried black-eyed peas
1 tablespoon olive oil
8 ounces bacon chopped
1 onion chopped
2 celery ribs chopped
3 carrots peeled and diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
8 cups chicken broth
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

Instructions

Rinse the black-eyed peas well and place them in your slow cooker.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bacon, onion, celery, and carrots.
Cook for 8 minutes. Add the garlic, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 more minute.
Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker and add the broth and red wine vinegar.
Cover and cook on HIGH heat for 6 hours. Add the salt and pepper, and cook for 15 more minutes or until the black eyed peas are tender.

Notes

Storage

Store leftover black eyed peas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Reheat black eyed peas on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Alternatively, they can be reheated in the microwave in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between.

Add a splash of broth or water if needed to prevent drying out.

Nutrition

More Slow Cooker Recipes to Try

Sweet and Savory Delight: If you're looking for a main dish that's as easy as it is delicious, our Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs are a surefire hit, with a sweet, sticky glaze that the whole family will love.
Comfort Sides: To add a sweet side to your meal, try our Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes, which become perfectly tender and caramelized in the slow cooker.
A Holiday Favorite: For a fuss-free holiday main dish, give our Crockpot Turkey Breast a try - it's juicy, flavorful, and practically cooks itself.
Dessert Time: And finally, to round off your meal, why not whip up a batch of our Slow Cooker Apple Crisp? It's a warm, comforting dessert that fills your home with the smell of baked apples and cinnamon.

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Main Dish Recipes