Black-eyed peas are said to bring good luck when eaten on New Year's Day. The peas represent pennies or coins, meaning wealth for the new year. These Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas with Ham Hock are made with jalapeño and cajun seasoning, and there's no soaking required.

I love black-eyed peas, and I make this traditional New Year's recipe every year!

Quick overview:

No soaking needed. Unsoaked black-eyed peas hold their shape better.
Cooks in 6 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
Thickens as it cools, so make it a day ahead if you like it thicker.

Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas with ham in a single serving bowl

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Key Ingredients for Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas
Ingredient Substitutions
Variations with Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas
Tips for the Best Black-Eyed Peas
Do You Need to Soak Black-Eyed Peas?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Make-Ahead and Storage
What to Serve with Black-Eyed Peas
Other Foods That Bring You Luck on New Year's Day
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Key Ingredients for Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas

Dried peas, ham hock, and seasonings mis en place.

Dried black-eyed peas: The main source of protein and sustenance in this dish.
Smoked ham hock: Adds flavor and helps thicken everything as it cooks.
Jalapeño (optional): For those who love a touch of heat.
Cajun seasoning: I prefer Zatarain's.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use pork belly or leftover cubed ham in place of ham hock.
Cook bacon until crisp, then saute the onion and jalapeño in the bacon grease before adding to the slow cooker. Chop up the bacon and add to the pot in place of ham hock.
Chicken stock can be used in place of water to add more flavor.
Swap the cajun seasoning for Italian seasoning for a different flavor.

Variations with Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas

Vegetarian: Leave out the ham hock and add ½ teaspoon liquid smoke to give it the traditional smoky flavor. Stir in some plant-based sausages - I love Field Roast Smoked Sausages - if you want to add more protein to the pot.
Don't eat pork? Use a smoked turkey kielbasa in place of the ham hock and include a ½ teaspoon of liquid smoke.
Add tomato: Give it another boost of flavor by adding a 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes the last hour of cooking.

Tips for the Best Black-Eyed Peas

Want it thicker? Cooked dried beans thicken as they cool down. If you like a thicker result, make it a day ahead and chill it in the fridge overnight.
Hold the cajun seasoning. Most cajun seasonings contain salt, so stir it in during the last hour of cook time instead of at the start.

Do You Need to Soak Black-Eyed Peas?

Soaking dried legumes is normally done to help avoid digestive issues. Is it really necessary? I say it depends.

My mom always soaked her dried legumes overnight before cooking them. However, she told me she never soaks them when she cooks them in the slow cooker.

I did not soak them for this recipe either and unsoaked black-eyed peas hold their shape better. My final take: unless beans cause you digestive issues, you don't need to soak them.

Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas in a serving dish

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Adding salt or acid too early. It draws out moisture and makes the beans tough.
Using canned beans instead of dried. Canned beans are already cooked and will turn to mush during a slow cook. Always use dried peas for slow cooking.
Opening the lid. Lifting the lid lets out heat and steam, which increases the cooking time and leaves the beans unevenly cooked. Only open the lid near the end of cooking time to add the seasoning.
Overcooking. Leaving them on past their tender point causes the beans to break down and lose their shape.
Skipping the sort and rinse. If you don't rinse and look through the dried peas, small stones or dirt can end up in your finished pot.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Refrigerator: Keeps up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw before reheating.
Reheat: Warm on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through. Stir in a little water or broth to loosen up the peas if they are too thick.

What to Serve with Black-Eyed Peas

Many people eat cornbread and greens with their black-eyed peas on New Year's Day. Two great matches for this recipe are Skillet Jalapeño Cornbread and Braised Collard Greens.

You can also serve these black-eyed peas over hot rice or noodles.

Other Foods That Bring You Luck on New Year's Day

Slow cooker black-eyed peas aren't the only food considered to bring good luck.

Pork: Back in the day, if your family had a pig, you were good to go for the winter. Try this Air Fryer Pork Loin with Maple Glaze.
Green for wealth, round for coins: The green grapes in this Champagne Marinated Shrimp and Fruit Salad fit the bill!
Noodles for longevity: Eating noodles in the new year represents long life. These Longevity Noodles with Shrimp and Ginger are one of my favorites.

If you give this recipe a try, I'd love to hear how it turned out! Please leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below to let me know how you liked it. Don't forget to tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!

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