Prepare this tasty vegan stew for the holiday, it is enough to feed a family and it is very economical. It is delicious served with Gluten-Free Vegan Cornbread and Vegan Mac And Cheese, Vegan Collard Greens.
Vegan Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas
Traditionally, blackeyed peas also called Hopin John recipe is served in the Southern States for New Year’s Eve celebration. I make this dish all year because it tastes amazing.
It is especially great to prepare during the winter months, you can also enjoy it over Brown Jasmine Rice.
About This Black Eye Peas
My hubby isn’t a fan of black-eyed peas, but when I tell you, he said it tastes great, which means it is really delicious. I added some cayenne pepper for a hint of spicy flavor but it is fine if you leave it out.
Black-eyed peas are actually a member of the cowpeas family. It is a legume that is packed with lots of protein and fibers. They are also a good source of folate, iron, thiamine, and copper.
In the Southern states, the beans are cooked with meat, spices, and greens. My vegan blackeyes are flavorful that you won’t miss the meat.
For an incredibly flavorful stovetop version, check out my Southern Black-Eyed Peas recipe, Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas Curry, Black Eyed Peas Salad, Black Eyed Peas Fritters.
Dried Vs Canned
I prefer to use dried peas, I find the flavor to be bolder. You get to control the amount of salt that is added because canned peas contain lots of added salt. I do use canned beans at times for convenience.
Do You Have To Soak Black-Eyed Peas?
No, You don’t have to soak your black-eyed peas before cooking them in the instant pot or pressure cooker.
What Goes In Vegan Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas
- Black-Eyed Peas – I used dried black-eyed peas, no need. to pre-soak them. They cook up quickly in the pressure cooker. If you are using fresh peas, cut the cooking time in half.
- Olive Oil – you can omit the oil and saute the vegetables in 1/2 cup water or vegetable broth.
- Onion, Celery, Bell Pepper, Garlic – add flavor to the stew.
- Spices – the smoked paprika, Creole seasoning, and liquid smoke combination gives is a real smoky flavor without using traditional ham hocks. I also added thyme and bay leaves for that herby flavor.
- Vegetable Broth – you can use store-bought or make your own Vegetable Broth. The good thing is, most vegetable broths on the market are gluten-free, they do not contain autolyzed wheat extract like chicken and beef broth but double-check the label to make sure.
Substitute For Black Eyed Peas
If you don’t have black-eyed peas, a good substitute would be field peas, pigeon peas, cranberry beans.
How To Cook Black-Eyed Peas In The Instant Pot?
It is a straightforward recipe, you basically saute your seasonings, add your rinse peas and cook in vegetable broth.
I used dried black-eyed peas for this recipe but you can substitute with fresh, or frozen.
Tips For Making Black Eyed Peas In The Instant Pot
- Make sure to season your peas with spices so they aren’t bland, adding the Creole/Cajun seasoning makes them pop.
- Add sauteed vegan sausage at the end for extra flavor.
- For a thicker stew, turn off the Instant Pot, then choose the Saute mode and mash some of the peas with the back of your wooden spoon.
What To Serve With Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas?
You can serve it with Southern-Style Mixed Greens, Vegan Lentil Meatballs, Vegan Southern-Style Coleslaw.
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Categories
- Categories: Gluten-Free, Vegan
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisines: Soul Food, Southern
Nutrition
(Per serving)- Energy: 128 kcal / 535 kJ
- Fat: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Carbs: 15 g
Cook Time
- Preparation: 10 min
- Cooking: 20 min
- Ready in: 50 min
- For: 6 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried black eyed peas, sorted and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 2 ribs celery
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon Cajun/Creole Seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional)
- 5 cups vegetable broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/8 teaspoon hickory liquid smoke
- salt, to taste
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot on saute mode, add oil.
- Add onion, celery, bell pepper and cook until onion is soft about 2 minutes.
- Stir in garlic, smoked paprika, thyme, Creole Seasoning. cayenne pepper until fragrant.
- Add black-eyed peas, vegetable broth, bay leaves. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and turn the steam knob to Sealing. Press the Manual button and set the timer for 15 minutes.
- When complete, allow the Instant Pot to natural release for 20 minutes. Turn off Instant Pot, open the lid, stir in the liquid smoke, and season with salt to taste.
- You can set the Instant Pot on Saute mode to cook longer if you want a thicker stew.
This is absolutely the BEST black-eyed pea recipe! Thank you!
Kimette, you made my day, thank you for your feedback.
SO good! I left out the liquid smoke and smoked paprika, added a little more cayenne. Thanks so much for a great, easy recipe. The GF cornbread is almost out of the oven :)
Just started cooking without meat and this recipe was fabulous! My husband who has to have smoked meat in his beans, peas, etc. couldn’t believe how good these were. I will definitely make these again and try your other recipes!!!!
Donna, I’m so happy you and your husband enjoyed it. Thank you very much for sharing your feedback.
These are the best! I used a Vegan Ham Flavored Broth ( I left out liquid smoke). Everyone loved ’em! Thank you!
I’m so happy you made it your own and everyone loved it Regan, thank you for sharing your feedback!
This is a superb recipe. The only thing I changed was a couple more cloves of garlic, a jalapeño pepper seeded it chopped. I used vegetarian broth & NO smoke seasoning. The best black eyed pea recipe I have ever eaten. YUMMY, YUMMY. I will definitely be printing this recipe, & making it again. The family all raved about it! Thanks for the recipe we enjoyed them on New Year ‘s Day.
Mary, I’m so happy everyone enjoyed it. I love how you made it your own! Happy New Year, many blessings to you and your family!
I forgot the creole seasoning and the bay leaves, but these were still really delicious.
Linda, thank you for your feedback, I’m happy you loved them. Happy New Year!
Hi! Making these for New Year’s – what other sides go well with this?
Sam that’s awesome, my gluten-free vegan cornbread, southern collard greens, or green beans and potatoes recipe goes well. Even mac and cheese.
These black eyed peas were a HUGE HIT with the whole family, including the kiddos! Great NYE dinner with cornbread and green beans, so thank you! Cheers from Long Beach, CA!
Sam, Happy New Year!Many blessings to you and your family in 2021. Thank you for the good report!
These were the best Black-eyed peas, very flavorful.
I’m so happy you enjoyed, thank you for sharing.