Crockpot Black Eyed Peas Recipe

This crockpot black eyed peas recipe has a deep, smoky flavor from the cajun seasoning and is complimented by fresh herbs. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a flavorful, warm, and hearty dish!

crockpot black eyed peas in a white bowl with a spoon.

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Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas

The crockpot black eyed peas recipe is a delicious dish consisting of creamy beans, diced onion, garlic, jalapenos, and more. And if you’re looking for something to enjoy with these, consider making collard greens and dinner rolls for a well-rounded, great meal.

Why You’ll Love this Easy Black Eyed Peas Recipe:

Extra Easy: These slow cooker black eyed peas are as simple as throwing several simple ingredients into a crockpot and waiting for it to cook!
Lots of Flavor: These black eyed peas are delicious because of the rich flavors of diced onions, garlic, cajun seasoning, and fresh herbs!

Black-eyed peas are a traditional Southern comfort food, often served to bring good luck in the New Year. If you want to give this dish a little kick of heat, add black pepper and hot sauce. Although be warned, it already has pepper and jalapenos, so try it first to ensure you can handle it!

crockpot black eyed peas in a large serving bowl.

How to Make Crockpot Black Eyed Peas

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

Place all ingredients (minus the salt) into a large slow cooker and stir.
Cover and cook as instructed in the recipe card.
When done, add salt as desired, serve, and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

You can use creole seasoning in place of cajun seasoning.
For a less spicy version, omit the jalapeno.

step by step photos for how to make crockpot black eyed peas.

overhead view of crockpot black eyed peas in a large serving bowl.

What are black eyed peas?

Black eyed peas are not actually peas; they are a type of bean (close enough though, right?). They get their name from the dark, black spot in the middle of the otherwise light-colored bean. And they’re known as “peas” because they come from a cowpea plant.

Are crockpot black eyed peas healthy?

Beans are a great source of protein and fiber, which keeps you feeling full. So eating a soup filled with beans and a few other ingredients is a good choice for a simple filling meal.

Why are black eyed peas eaten on New Year’s Day?

In the South, black eyed peas and the accompanying meal have become a tradition for good luck. So, eating them on New Year’s day is meant to bring prosperity for the rest of the year. A full New Year’s meal includes black eyed peas for luck and prosperity, collard greens for wealth and money, pork for positive motion, and cornbread for gold.

Why do people put a dime in black eyed peas?

Some people will put a dime in the soup, and whoever gets it in their serving will get EXTRA good luck. (Admittedly this could be dangerous if people don’t notice the dime in their soup!).

Do I need to soak black eyed peas before cooking them in the crockpot?

Nope! The beauty of this recipe is that the beans are cooked low and slow, so there’s no soaking required!

How can I tell when crockpot black eyed peas are done cooking?

You can tell that these beans are done cooking when they are tender all the way through. It’s up to you to decide if you like them tender, soft, or mushy, so continue cooking them until they reach your desired consistency!

What happens if I eat undercooked black eyed peas?

Unfortunately, beans are not safe to eat unless they have been fully cooked. Fully cooked beans are tender and creamy, and some of them may even split open. If you accidentally eat undercooked beans, you may experience gastrointestinal upset or vomiting. If these symptoms are severe or persistent, it’s a good idea to visit the ER.

Serving Suggestions

overhead view of crockpot black eyed peas in a white bowl.

close up view of crockpot black eyed peas in a large serving bowl.

Make Ahead Instructions

Crockpot black eyed peas can be made up to 1 day in advance of when you plan to serve them. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover crockpot black eyed peas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a large saucepan set over medium-low heat until warmed through.

Freezing Instructions

Freeze crockpot black eyed peas in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Substitutions/Variations

For vegetarian black eyed peas, swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth, omit the sausages, and add ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika (or use vegetarian sausages!).
In place of the sausages, you can add 1 large or 2 small ham hocks. Simply remove the ham hocks, shred the meat, and return it to the crockpot at the end of cooking.
You can also use bacon or ham instead of sausage.
Try adding chopped bell peppers or collard greens!
You can use creole seasoning in place of the cajun seasoning.
For a less spicy version, omit the jalapeño.

Tips for the Best Crockpot Black Eyed Peas

Make sure to sift through the beans before using them to remove any dirt or foreign objects.
If using older beans (check the expiration date!), you may need to cook them for a bit longer.
No need to soak the beans ahead of time; let the crockpot do the work for you!
Easily double this recipe with no need to increase the cook time!
Don’t let the beans sit in the crockpot on warm for very long, as it can turn them mushy.

More New Year’s Recipes We Love

I hope you love this crockpot black eyed peas recipe! Have you made black eyed peas before? What did you pair your dish with? Are there changes you made to the recipe that you’d like to share? Let me know in the comments below!