Description
Hearty black-eyed peas with bacon and sausage bring Southern comfort to your table, merging smoky flavors and rich traditions. Generous portions of crispy bacon and savory sausage elevate this classic dish, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (450 grams) dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and soaked overnight (or use canned, drained, and rinsed)
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 12 ounces (340 grams) smoked sausage or andouille sausage, sliced
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Herbs, Spices, and Liquids:
- 4 cups (1 liter) chicken broth
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) water (add more if needed)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Render bacon and sausage in a spacious pot over medium heat, crisping the bacon first and then browning the sausage slices. Transfer both meats to a separate plate, preserving the flavorful fat.
- Utilize the rendered fat to sauté diced onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic until they become translucent and fragrant, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Incorporate rinsed black-eyed peas into the vegetable mixture, adding smoked paprika, cayenne, thyme, and a bay leaf for deep, complex seasoning.
- Pour chicken broth and water into the pot, stirring thoroughly to combine. Reintroduce the reserved bacon and sausage, bringing the liquid to a robust boil before reducing to a gentle simmer.
- Allow the mixture to cook uncovered for 90-120 minutes, periodically stirring and monitoring liquid levels. Top up with additional water if the peas become exposed during cooking.
- Once peas reach desired tenderness, discard the bay leaf and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Optional: Create a slightly creamy texture by mashing some peas with a spoon or brief immersion blender pulses.
- Finish the dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and serve alongside steamed rice or warm cornbread for a hearty, comforting meal.
Notes
- Swap bacon and sausage with turkey bacon or plant-based alternatives for a lighter, healthier version of the dish that still packs incredible flavor.
- Use smoked paprika generously to create depth even when reducing meat content, ensuring robust taste remains intact.
- Soak dried black-eyed peas overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility, helping break down complex starches more effectively.
- Consider preparing this recipe in a slow cooker for hands-off cooking, which allows flavors to develop more intensely while ensuring perfectly tender legumes without constant monitoring.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg