Go Back
Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas with Bacon

Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas with Bacon

These slow cooker black-eyed peas with bacon are rich, smoky, and deeply comforting. Made with simple ingredients and cooked low and slow, this classic Southern-style dish is perfect for busy days, cozy dinners, or New Year traditions.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound dried black-eyed peas rinsed
  • 6 slices bacon chopped
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth or water
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika optional
  • Salt to taste
  • Red pepper flakes optional

Method
 

  1. Rinse and sort the black-eyed peas, removing any debris.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until lightly crisp. Transfer bacon to the slow cooker, reserving about 1 tablespoon of bacon fat.
  3. In the same skillet, sauté onion in the reserved bacon fat until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  4. Add the onion and garlic mixture to the slow cooker.
  5. Pour in broth, then add black pepper and smoked paprika. Stir gently.
  6. Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until peas are tender.
  7. Taste and adjust salt before serving. Add red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

  • Browning the bacon first adds deeper flavor—don’t skip this step.
  • Avoid adding salt early; bacon releases salt as it cooks.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day and freeze well for up to 2 months.