Description
This Creamy Southern Black Eyed Peas recipe is a hearty, flavorful dish that combines smoky turkey wings with aromatic vegetables and Creole Cajun seasoning. Prepared in an Instant Pot, it delivers a rich, creamy texture by mashing some of the peas, making it a comforting yet nutritious meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
- 1 small jalapeño, deseeded and finely diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- Fresh parsley, chopped, optional
Meat and Peas
- 1 pound smoked turkey wings or ham hocks
- 1 pound dried black-eyed peas, rinsed
Seasonings and Liquids
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2–3 teaspoons Creole Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken stock
Instructions
- Heat the Instant Pot: Set your Instant Pot to the sauté function and heat the olive oil until shimmering to prepare the base for cooking the aromatics.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the finely chopped onion, green bell pepper, celery, and jalapeño to the pot. Cook these ingredients until they are tender and fragrant, which should take about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one minute to release its aroma without burning.
- Add Seasonings and Main Ingredients: Incorporate the bay leaves, Creole Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, smoked turkey wings (or ham hocks), rinsed black-eyed peas, and low-sodium chicken stock. Stir everything to combine evenly.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set it to pressure cook on high for 35 minutes. Once the cooking cycle completes, allow the pressure to release naturally to ensure the peas and meat are tender.
- Shred the Meat: Carefully remove the smoked turkey wings or ham hocks from the pot. Shred the meat off the bones using forks or your hands, discarding bones, skin, or excess fat as preferred.
- Finish the Dish: Return the shredded meat to the pot. Mash a portion of the black-eyed peas directly in the pot using a spoon or potato masher to create a creamy texture. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier dish, leave the jalapeño seeds in or add more jalapeños.
- Using smoked turkey wings adds a wonderful depth of flavor; ham hocks are a great alternative if preferred.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable stock, adjusting the seasoning accordingly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and often taste better the next day as flavors meld.
- Serve with cornbread or steamed rice to complete the Southern-style meal.
