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Best Easy Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas for New Year’s

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A cozy, hands-off slow cooker recipe for tender black-eyed peas with smoky ham hock, perfect for New Year’s traditions or any cold winter gathering. This forgiving dish turns a happy accident into a beloved comfort food classic.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dried black-eyed peas (about 2 cups)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 smoked ham hock (about 12 ounces)
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • Salt to taste
  • Cooked white rice or cornbread (for serving, optional)
  • Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped (for garnish, optional)
  • Hot sauce (for serving, optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse and sort the black-eyed peas: Place the dried peas in a colander and rinse under cold water. Pick out any shriveled peas or small pebbles.
  2. Dice the onion and mince the garlic.
  3. Combine everything in the slow cooker: Place the rinsed peas, diced onion, minced garlic, ham hock, chicken broth, water, smoked paprika, dried thyme, black pepper, and bay leaf into the slow cooker. Stir to distribute the spices.
  4. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.
  5. Check for doneness: The peas should be tender but still hold their shape. If not, cook for another 30 minutes to 1 hour on low.
  6. Remove the ham hock and shred the meat: Using tongs, lift out the ham hock. Let cool slightly, then pull the meat off the bone with two forks. Discard bone, fat, and skin. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker.
  7. Add the apple cider vinegar and season with salt: Stir in the vinegar. Taste and add salt as needed (start with ½ teaspoon).
  8. Remove the bay leaf and serve: Ladle into bowls. Serve hot, optionally over rice or with cornbread, and garnish with parsley or green onions.

Notes

Do not skip the apple cider vinegar—it brightens the flavors. Wait until the end to add salt, as the ham hock and broth already contain salt. The peas taste even better the next day. For a vegetarian version, omit the ham hock, use vegetable broth, and add 1 teaspoon liquid smoke and 1 tablespoon smoked paprika.

Nutrition

Keywords: slow cooker black-eyed peas, New Year's recipe, black-eyed peas, ham hock, comfort food, Southern recipe, easy slow cooker

Find it online: https://willarecipes.com/best-easy-slow-cooker-black-eyed-peas-for-new-years/