Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas for prosperity in the new year! This dish is hearty, warm and soulful, and it’s ready in only 40 minutes!

While it’s cooking, make a batch of rice, and dig into some hoppin’ john for dinner! For all those who don’t know, hoppin’ john is black eyed peas on top of rice. You can eat black eyed peas with or without rice, but whatever you do, just eat it!

A white plate with instant pot black eyed beans over rice. A spoon is next to the plate.

The Instant Pot is a game changer for cooking beans. You should still soak the beans overnight, but the cooking process is so much quicker. The beans are perfectly cooked and packed with flavor in just minutes rather than hours.

If you haven’t tried our Instant Pot refried beans, they are better than any restaurant and another example of the wonders the Instant Pot can do on beans.

Ingredients for Black Eyed Peas

Okay, back to these black eyed peas, you’ll need a few ingredients that are going load these beans up with so much flavor. Here is your grocery list:

  • Black Eyed Peas (dried or canned)
  • Butter
  • Oil
  • Pork Shoulder or Ham Hock
  • Bacon
  • Onion
  • Celery
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic Powder
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Chicken Stock
  • Water
  • Bay Leaves
  • Collard Greens (optional)

The measurements of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.

A plate of rice with southern instant pot black eyed peas on top. There is a spoon beside the plate and another plate of peas and a plate of corn bread in the background.

How to Make Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas

I mentioned this above, but if you are using dried beans, soak them in water in a large pot overnight. Here are the basic steps for cooking the beans:

  1. Set the Instant Pot to “Saute” and when it’s ready, add the oil and butter and then brown the pork on each side.
  2. Add all the ingredients except the chicken broth and bay leaves and cook.
  3. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook on high for 28 min with a natural release.
  4. Open the lid and remove the bay leaves and ham bone.
  5. Serve over rice for hoppin’ john or with some skillet cornbread or both (my preference)!
More detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card down below.
A plate of instant pot black eyed peas over rice. There is a spoon next to the plate and a plate of cornbread in the background.

Why are Black Eyed Peas Eaten at New Years?

In the South, eating black eyed peas (or Hoppin John) on New Year’s Day is thought to bring prosperity for the new year. They are traditionally served with cabbage, collard or mustard greens and ham. Each component of the meal represents something: peas-prosperity, greens-money, ham-positive motion, and cornbread-gold. You can count me in for all those blessings!

How Long Can You Keep Black Eyed Peas In The Refrigerator?

Black eyed peas will keep for 4-5 days in the refrigerator.

What are Black Eyed Peas?

Although they are called peas, black eyed peas are actually beans. Black eyed peas are sometimes called cowpeas.

A plate of southern instant pot black eyed peas over rice. There are chunks of ham in the peas and a plate of cornbread in the background.

Are Black Eyed Peas Good For You?

Black eyed peas are highly nutritious and are a good staple food. Black eyed peas are rich in fiber and protein, which make them an excellent energy food.

Instant Pot Cheat Sheet

If you want a great resource for making other foods in the Instant Pot, check our our Instant Pot Cheat Sheet! It is a free printable that everyone should have!

 

Start your new year off with a bold and hearty plate of rice and beans! Instant Pot black eyed peas are a quick and simple dish for good luck in the new year!

More Instant Pot Side Dishes You Should Try:

Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas

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Servings: 12
Prep Time: 8 hours
Cook Time: 40 minutes
15 minutes
Total Time: 8 hours 55 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 Pound Black Eyed Peas, dry, or canned is ok
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • 1 Tablespoon Oil
  • 6 oz. Pork Shoulder, diced in 1/2 “ pieces or 1 ham hock
  • 4 Strips Bacon, thick cut back, cut into 1/2” pieces
  • 1 Onion, yellow, minced
  • 1 Stalk Celery, sliced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • 2 teaspoons Balsamic Vinegar
  • 4 Cups Chicken Stock
  • 2 Cups Water
  • 3 Bay Leaves
  • 1 Cup Collard Greens, chopped in 2” pieces *optional

Instructions

  • If using dried beans, place in a large pot with 4 inches of water and allow to soak overnight, then drain and rinse. This is essential!
  • Heat a pressure cooker on the saute function. When it reads hot, add the oil and butter, then the pork. Cook until browned on each side, about 4-5 minutes. Add the bacon, onion, garlic, celery and seasonings, cooking for another 7 minutes.
  • Add all remaining ingredients and close the lid, locking the valve to seal. Cancel saute and press the pressure cook manual button for 28 minutes.
  • Once the cooking has ended allow for a 15 minute release.
  • Open the lid and discard bay leaves and ham bone if you used a hock.
  • Serve over rice for a hoppin john or with cornbread!

Notes

will keep in the refrigerator for 4-5 days

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 159kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 9gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 489mgPotassium: 287mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 312IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg
Course: 200+ Easy Side Dish Recipes Every Mom Needs
Cuisine: American

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A plate of southern instant pot black eyed peas over rice. There are chunks of ham in the peas and a plate of cornbread in the background.