It is quick, easy, and inexpensive to make vegan black-eyed peas in the Instant Pot. This recipe is perfect as a side and is easy to double and freeze! No soaking is required.
Black-eyed peas, AKA cowpeas, are very popular on New Year's Eve because they are said to bring good luck in the new year, especially when eaten with collard greens!
My recipe for vegan Instant Pot collard greens is a reader favorite, so what better recipe to pair it with than Instant Pot black-eyed peas?
Making black-eyed peas from dry is pretty quick and easy in the Instant Pot. I add Cajun seasoning, bell pepper, and a few other simple ingredients to create extra flavorful black-eyed peas that stand out without any meat.
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Recipe features
- Quick & easy: Making black-eyed peas in the Instant Pot is quick, easy, and inexpensive.
- Flavorful without meat: While classic black-eyed peas use ham hock or bacon for much of their flavor, this vegan version relies on Cajun seasonings, onion, peppers, and good ole' salt and pepper.
- Easy to customize: Adjust seasonings to taste for extra spice or smokiness. You can also double this recipe and it is easy to freeze.
- Plant-based protein: While black-eyed peas are most often enjoyed on New Years, they are also a great plant-based protein option at meals year-round. Use Instant Pot black-eyed peas anywhere you would serve black beans or even chickpeas.
If you're looking to include more beans in your diet year-round, I also have guides on how to cook Instant Pot chickpeas and Instant Pot black beans.
About black-eyed peas
History
Before we jump into how to cook black-eyed peas, they have an important history to consider.
Black eyed-peas are closely connected with the African diaspora and the American South. Originally cultivated in Africa 5000 years ago and seen commonly in West African cuisine, black-eyed peas were brought to the United States by enslaved Africans several hundred years ago.
They have a rich and complex history and are much more than just an ingredient. Learn more in this article about The True Story of New Year's Lucky Foods.
Nutrition
Nutritionally, black-eyed peas are a good source of protein and non-heme iron, which is the kind of iron provided by plants.
Beans and greens go well together in flavor and tradition, but did you know that the Vitamin C in collard greens actually helps increase the absorption of non-heme iron in black-eyed peas? There are so many reasons to enjoy these two ingredients together!
In short, black-eyed peas are a healthy and inexpensive way to add fiber, protein, and iron to your diet.
Ingredients
- Dry black-eyed peas: This recipe does not work with fresh, frozen, or canned black-eyed peas.
- Bell pepper and yellow onion create a flavorful base. You can also use white onion, or even red onion in a pinch. Yellow or red bell pepper can be used for a sweeter result.
- Cajun seasoning adds a medley of flavors like thyme and paprika. If using a Cajun seasoning that contains salt, I recommend salting the black-eyed peas to taste.
- Vegetable broth: While black-eyed peas can be cooked in water instead of broth, the addition of a flavorful vegetable broth really takes this dish to the next level. I love using Better than Bouillon vegetable base here.
Cassidy's tips
- Cook time: The older your beans are, the longer they will take to cook. If your black-eyed peas aren't done after 25 minutes on high pressure, cook on high pressure for an additional 2-3 minutes. When the time is up you can do a quick pressure release (careful! hot steam will come out).
- To double the recipe: Double all ingredients, including the liquid. Cook for the same amount of time. You can even triple this recipe if your Instant Pot is big enough.
- For a smokey flavor: Want that classic smokey flavor? Smoked paprika is already included in the recipe, but you can also add ¼ teaspoon liquid smoke. I left it out of the recipe because I personally do not like the flavor of liquid smoke, but I know that many do!
Recipe FAQ
No, black-eyed peas do not need to be soaked. Unlike kidney beans or black beans, they cook quickly without soaking.
I don't recommend using frozen or canned peas because they cook so quickly and don't require nearly as much liquid in the Instant Pot.
Yes, but it will take longer. Bring everything to a boil in a large stockpot. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer. Simmer until tender, about 1-2 hours. Start testing the peas around 45 minutes and adjust cook time as needed.
Storage and freezing
- Leftovers: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat individual servings in the microwave or on the stovetop. If reheating on the stovetop, add a splash of water and cover the dish. Reheat over medium heat, stirring as needed until warmed through.
- Freezing: Let leftover black-eyed peas cool to room temperature before freezing. Freeze in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge or cover and reheat over medium heat with a splash of vegetable broth.
Serving ideas
- For a traditional Southern-style meal: Pair with Vegan Collard Greens or even a collard greens salad and my favorite panko breaded tofu nuggets and vegan macaroni and cheese.
- Bowls: Use in place of canned or frozen black-eyed peas in black-eyed pea veggie bowls.
- Jambalaya: I also love adding these to vegetarian jambalaya for extra protein.
- Soup: Make a Southern produce-inspired soup with this black-eyed pea soup.
- Hummus: For a less traditional appetizer, try using black-eyed peas instead of chickpeas in this black-eyed pea hummus.
- Add a serving of black-eyed peas to any dish that needs extra protein.
Looking for more Instant Pot favorites?
Did you try this recipe? You can leave a star rating in the recipe card or a review in the comments below. Or check out my cookbook and keep up to date with my YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or newsletter!
Recipe
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Vegan Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup diced yellow onion from one medium onion
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 small jalapeno diced (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup dry black-eyed peas rinsed
- 2 cups vegetable broth
Instructions
- Select "saute" mode on your Instant Pot and adjust timer to 7 minutes. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Once hot, add diced onions and bell pepper. Saute until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally for even cooking.
- Add garlic and optional jalapeno. Saute until garlic is lightly browned, about 1 minute.
- Add Cajun seasoning, salt, smoked paprika, black pepper, black-eyed peas and vegetable broth. Stir to combine.
- Lock Instant Pot lid in place and set vent to "sealing". Select "high pressure". Adjust timer to 25 minutes. It will take 10-15 minutes for the pot to come to pressure.
- When the 25 minutes timer is up allow pressure to release naturally. This will take about 15 minutes.
- When all pressure is released (the silver float valve will drop), remove Instant Pot lid and taste for salt, Cajun seasoning and pepper. Enjoy!
Deb says
Made this for dinner tonight. I added celery, cumin, Dijon mustard. Delicious! Made it for 3 people and not a bean left!
Cassidy Reeser says
Ooh love those additions! Thanks for the review!
Patricia says
Happy New Year! Kicked it off with this recipe. So easy. So fast and the recipe is definitely a keeper!
Cassidy Reeser says
Thanks and happy new year! 🙂
jenn says
I am making these for the second time in two weeks as they are so versatile and delicious.
The first night we enjoyed the beans as a side dish. Day two we had as bean soup and day three I re-purposed the remaining broth and used it (along with a little extra broth) to puree roasted sweet potato, carrot, and potatoes into a creamy soup.
Cassidy Reeser, RDN, LD says
That soup sounds delicious! Thanks for making this recipe.
Melissa says
I have never eaten black-eyed peas before but thought we need all the good luck we can get in 2021 so I gave them a try. Very good! I had presoaked my beans so I had to play with the time a bit but 12 minutes seemed just about right. After a natural pressure release, I turned on saute to reduce the liquid. Thank you for sharing! I will definitely be making them again.
Cassidy Reeser says
Black eyed peas are always a good way to start the year! Glad you found my recipe, thanks for making it!