Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas

Black Eyed Peas

Black eyed pea is a type of bean that’s creamy yellow-white in color with black “eyes” on one side. They’re also known as black-eyed beans, cowpea, or goat peas. Despite the name, black-eyed peas are actually beans, not peas!

Black eyed peas are highly nourishing and nutritious – rich in fiber and protein.

In the American South, black eyed peas and collard greens (or other greens) are considered a Lucky New Year food that brings prosperity in the new year.

Ways to Use Black Eyed Peas:

Black eyed pea is a very versatile ingredient you can use in many dishes in cuisines from around the world. Here are some tasty ways to use black eyed peas:

• Add to soups, salads, and stir-fried dishes
• Mix with other beans
• Make curries, desserts
• Make traditional Southern Hoppin’ John
• Make a variety of side dishes like black-eyed pea hummus
• Add in congee, Chinese dessert soups, Zongzi (Chinese: 糭子), and more!

How to Cook Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas

Here are the ingredients for cooking black eyed peas in Instant Pot.

Dried Black Eyed Peas: With this Instant Pot black eyed peas no soak recipe, you don’t need to presoak your dried black eyed peas!

Smoked Ham Hock: We developed this easy black eyed peas Instant Pot recipe with a smoked pork hock. But you can substitute it with leftover ham, smoked ham, ham steaks, or ham bone to make this soup. Cook the ham with the beans, so the ham can impart flavors to the soup. If you’re using honey baked ham, keep in mind it’ll add some sweetness to the soup.

Unsalted Chicken Stock: We develop recipes with unsalted ingredients so we can better control the flavors. If you’re substituting it with salted chicken stock, keep in mind that the sodium level can vary a lot between different brands. Always taste and adjust accordingly.

Cayenne Pepper: Add it if you like your Instant Pot black eyed pea soup to be a little spicy.

Collard Greens or Kale: You can omit the greens from the black eyed peas and ham soup if you like. It’ll still be tasty!

Tools for Black Eyed Peas Instant Pot Recipe

• Instant Pot Pressure Cooker (6qt)
• Wooden Spoon
• Pyrex Measuring Cups
• Ladle

Note: You can also make this pressure cooker black eyed peas recipe with your Ninja Foodi pressure cooker, Power pressure cooker, or other pressure cookers.

Prepare Ingredients

Rinse the dried black eyed peas under cold running water, then drain well. No need to soak the beans!

Cut the pork hock into smaller pieces because we’re using a relatively short pressure cooking time.

Brown Tomatoes and Onions in Instant Pot

Use “Sauté More” function to heat up the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. It’ll switch to “ON” on the screen.

Wait until it says “HOT” on the screen (takes roughly 8 minutes).

Note: Make sure the Instant Pot is as hot as it can be to induce a Maillard reaction.

Add 1 to 2 tablespoons (15ml – 30ml) olive oil in Instant Pot’s inner pot. Ensure the whole bottom is coated with olive oil.

Add quartered tomatoes and sliced onions in Instant Pot, then saute for 4 to 5 minutes.

Saute Spice and Garlic

Add 6 crushed garlic cloves, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon (5ml) tomato paste, 1 teaspoon (1g) dried thyme, 1 teaspoon (3g) smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon (1.5g) ground cumin, and ½ teaspoon (0.6g) cayenne pepper in Instant Pot. Saute for another minute until fragrant.

Deglaze Instant Pot

Pour 1 cup (250ml) unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot, then deglaze by scrubbing all the flavorful brown bits off the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon.

Give it a quick mix.

Pressure Cook Black Eyed Peas

Add ½ teaspoon (3g) fine salt and the remaining (4.5 cups or 1125ml) unsalted chicken stock in Instant Pot, then give it a quick stir.

Then, add pork hock pieces (including the bone) in Instant Pot.

Add 1 pound (454g) black eyed peas in Instant Pot, then make sure they’re fully submerged in the cooking liquid.

Collard Greens: If you’re using collard greens, add them into the Instant Pot at this step.

Kale: If you’re using kale, don’t add them at this step. We’ll add them after pressure cooking black eyed peas.

With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position.

Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas Cooking Time:

• For Black Eyed Peas With a Bit of Chew: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 12 minutes, then Natural Release for 15 minutes
• For Tender Black Eyed Peas: Pressure Cook at High Pressure for 14 minutes, then Natural Release for 20 minutes

After 15 or 20 minutes, release the remaining pressure by turning Venting Knob to Venting Position.

When Floating Valve drops, open the lid carefully.

Season & Thicken Black Eyed Pea Soup

Press the “Saute” button, then bring the black eyed peas in Instant Pot back to a full boil.

Stir with a ladle to thicken the black eyed pea soup in Instant Pot.

Add the kale in Instant Pot, then let the black eyed pea soup boil for 3 to 4 minutes.

Taste the black eyed peas, then adjust the seasoning with more salt and black pepper.

Serve Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas

Ta da! You can serve and enjoy your deliciously hearty pressure cooker black eyed peas!

What to serve with Black Eyed Peas

Black eyed peas are often eaten with cabbage, collard greens, turnip, mustard greens, or ham.

As for New Year’s day in the United States, many enjoy the tradition of eating black eyed peas and greens with some tasty cornbread, biscuits, or rice.

Here are some tasty recipes that go well with Black Eyed Pea Soup:

Main dishes like Instant Pot Short Ribs, Instant Pot Pot Roast, Instant Pot Jambalaya, Instant Pot Gumbo, Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers, or chicken dishes.

Side dishes like salads, fried okra, Instant Pot Mac and Cheese, Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes, Instant Pot Baked Potatoes, Instant Pot Green Beans, polenta, grits, or Instant Pot Corn on the Cob.

Bread, Sandwiches, Crackers: You can also serve this healthy black eyed pea soup with bread like easy no knead bread, French baguettes, sourdough, toasted garlic bread, dinner rolls, croutons, or saltine crackers.

Enjoy your flavorful Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas!

More Instant Pot Beans Recipes

• Instant Pot Pinto Beans
• Instant Pot Black Beans
• Instant Pot Lentil Soup
• Instant Pot Split Pea Soup