Instant Pot Black Eye Peas – It’s black-eyed pea season, and we are not talking about the singing group either!
This instant pot black eye peas stew recipe is a hearty, vegan, delicious, fuss-free vegetarian stew that’s ready to be served on New Year’s Day for your loved ones to enjoy.
Black eye peas are very common in Haitian Food cuisine. In fact, we call them Pigeon peas. This recipe is not only succulent, it also has a slight hint of heat that marries the flavors well at the end.
In the United States, black-eyed peas are best known for good luck and prosperity. However, in Haiti, it is often served throughout the year.
About Black Eye Peas
Despite its name, black eye peas are not actual peas. They are beans and are also legumes.
Aside from nourishing our bodies and being filled with nutrients, black eyed peas also serve some benefits to the soil.
They help with nitrogen, which helps to improve the quality of the dirt and add nutrient back to the soil as the air hits it.
Black eyed peas were brought to the West Indies by enslaved West Africans, hence the reason why in is part of Haitian cuisine.
The vegetable was originally used as food for cows and other livestock, but today, they have made a turn to becoming one of our loved vegetables.
In the United States, black eyed peas are often served with collard greens; especially in the South. The vegetables are considered good luck. Meaning, the peas represents coins and the greens represent paper money.
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 whole large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 2 Large Carrots, chopped
- 2 large tomato, seeds removed and chopped
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 tablespoon Rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 4 c. soaked black-eyed peas (1 packaged)
- 5 c. Water
- 1 teaspoon Salt and 1 teaspoon pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Allspice
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper, to taste
- Cooked White rice or brown rice, for serving
How Do You Cook Dried Black Eyed Peas?
We do not believe in the superstition relating to black eye peas and the New Years, but because we enjoy delicious foods as this, it’s only right this black eyed peas instant pot recipe is shared with you.
The exact measurements are listed below in the recipe card. In the meantime, here is a quick video guide and step by step photo guide to help you make this recipe perfectly each time.
The flavor is amazing. And best of all, you can easily turn this recipe into a Hoppin’ John recipe by serving it with white rice.
First, start with gathering the ingredients. Dice, chopped, and slice the ingredients.
In the instant pot, sauté the onions, celery, herbs, and carrots.
Add the spices and tomato paste
Add peas to vegetables and stir.
Add Water and stir. Cover, seal and cook for 30 minutes.
Serve warm and enjoy with cornbread or rice.
What’s Hoppin’ John?
Hoppin’ John is a basically black eye pea stew served with white rice. This is a classic Southern dish to celebrate New Year’s.
As mentioned above, the black-eyed peas are for good fortune in the coming year.
No one knows where the name of this famous dish came from.
Some parts of the world, like Haiti, do not even call it Hoppin’ John; they are simply black-eyed peas and rice.
Just like many delicious dishes, there are so many different versions to this dish.
Do Black Eyed Peas Need To Be Soaked Before Cooking?
Because we are making this pigeon peas recipe stew in the instant pot, it is not necessary to soak the beans first, as the pressure from the instant pot will cook the beans in a little over 30 minutes.
If you choose to soak the beans that’s perfectly fine. Although it doesn’t hurt, but soaking the beans will help loosen the beans a little, which in turn will make it a little easier to cook if preparing this stew over the stove.
To soak the beans, remove the beans from the package and rinse it under cold water.
Place the beans in a large bowl and add enough water to cover the beans by at least 4 inches. Allow them to soak overnight.
When ready to cook, sauté the ingredients, then add the beans, along with the water. Pressure cook on high for 30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Black eyed peas contain a high volume of fiber and protein.
No. You can soak black eyed peas for up to 4 days. Remember to change the water and rinsing out the peas before adding in fresh water. This will also alleviate gassiness that beans sometimes cause.
You can cook black eyed peas in the instant pot for 30 minutes if presoaked, or 45 minutes without soaking first. Or, cook them over the stove for 1 to 1 and a half hours.
Haitian Food Recipes To Pair With This Dish
This black eye peas instant pot dish recipe is tasty no matter what, but I like it best with some of these flavorful side dishes.
Enjoy the stew on its own, or pair it with cornbread, air fryer milk buns, or serve with a side of this Instant Pot Collard Greens.
Did you make this instant pot black eye peas recipe? Tag me on Instagram or Facebook and please give it a star rating below!
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Pressure Cooker Black Eye Peas Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Whole large onion diced
- 4 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1 Green onion chopped
- 2 tablespoon Fresh Parsley
- 2 Large Carrots chopped
- 2 Large tomato seeds removed and chopped
- 2 tablespoon Tomato paste
- 2 Stalks celery diced
- 2 tablespoon Rice vinegar
- 4 cups Black Eye Peas 1 packaged; Optional: soaked
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper or to taste
- 1 teaspoon Allspice
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper Optional or to taste
- 5 cups Water
- Cooked White rice or brown rice for serving (Hoppin' John)
Instructions
Black Eye Peas Instant Pot
- Chop, dice, or cut the celery, onions, carrots, herbs, green onions, and garlic. Set aside.
- In the instant pot, click on the saute button. Set the timer for 30 minutes. Add the oil. Once heated, add the chopped, slice, dice, and or cut vegetables and herbs. Stir well. Then add the spices: salt, black pepper, allspice, and cayenne pepper. Mix well. Then add the tomato paste followed by the (washed) black eye peas (Drain the beans if pre-soaked). Mix well. Add the Rice vinegar and water. Stir to combine. Cover the instant pot with a lid and turn the knob to sealing.
- Press cancel, then press the pressure cook button. Adjust the time to 30 minutes. Be sure that the pressure is on high.
- When complete, allow natural release for 10 minutes. Remove the cover and serve over rice.
Stovetop Black Eye Peas (One Pot Dish) Version
- Soak the beans overnight. Chop, dice, or cut the celery, onions, carrots, green onions, and garlic. Set aside. In a large pan over medium heat, add the oil. When the oil is hot, add the vegetables and herbs. Toss to combine. Drain the beans, then add the beans to the vegetables. Mix well. Next, cover the beans with 4 inches of water. Simmer, covered half-way, for about 1 hour. Checking the beans after 45 minutes to see if they are tender and add more water as necessary to keep them covered. Once the beans are fully tender, add in the tomato paste, spices – season to taste, and add in the rice vinegar. Mix well. Let simmper for additional 10 minutes, covered. Then serve warm as a side or serve with white rice to create a Hoppin' John dish.
Erin
This was my first try at making black-eyed peas in the Instant Pot and they turned out so well! The beans are creamy and the flavors are delicious. We are going to pair it with your IP Collards and some homemade cornbread.
Mirlene
Thank you so much. That sounds AMAZING! Happy New Year to you and your family.
Brenda
Never knew that black eyed peas got such a beautiful name as pigeon peas! I have been making them in my slow cooker but would love to try out this instant pot version!!
Mirlene
Thank you so much Brenda!
Toni
This is really ahhmazing!! Love how comforting it is!
Mirlene
Thank you Toni!
Beth
I can’t wait to give this a try! So excited to try this out in my new instant pot!
Mirlene
I hope you enjoy your Instant Pot!
Jen
I’m going to start this tradition for the new year! Sounds like such a hearty dish for the family.
Mirlene
It is! Thank you 🙂
Jen
Not just for new years! This recipe has tons of flavor, will be making it again for WFH lunches. So comforting and warm.
Mirlene
I am so glad to hear that Jen, thank you so very much!
Elizabeth
Looking forward to marry these flavors for New Year. So glad you brought the instant pot version to make our life simple.
Mirlene
So glad to hear that Elizabeth. Thank you!
Monica
This is perfect for New Year’s and couldn’t be even more simple to turn this into a delicious Hoppin’ John Recipe. Tons of bold flavors.