Happy New Year, friends! What better way to kick off a new year than with a big bowl of Black Eyed Peas & Greens? Not only is it incredibly delicious, but this dish is also believed to bring good luck and prosperity, and we could all use a little more of that in our lives.
This plant-based version is incredibly comforting and delicious. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make with a little help from the Instant Pot.
History of Black Eyed Peas & Greens
Black eyed peas (also called cowpeas) are native to West Africa. And they’ve been enjoyed for centuries as a symbol of good luck for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Black eyed peas have been grown in the Southern US since at least the 18th century.
The tradition of serving black eyed peas with greens on New Year’s Day is believed to have originated in the Southern US. The black eyed peas are thought to represent good luck and the greens to represent money or prosperity. You can learn more about the history of black eyed peas and greens here and here.
Our version is not traditional, but is a plant-based take on the concept. Find a more traditional preparation for Southern black eyed peas and greens from Immaculate Bites.
Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas & Greens
As we shared in our Instant Pot Guide, the ability to make perfectly cooked beans (quickly!) is one of the major advantages of the Instant Pot.
Black eyed peas have become one of our favorites because they turn out tender and buttery and cook in just 15-17 minutes (no soaking required!). They’re also packed with nutrients such as folate, calcium, iron, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc, and so much more. And when paired with collard greens — woah, hello nutrition goals!
To make this dish equally as flavorful as it is nutritious, we started with sautéing onion, bell pepper, and garlic as the flavor base. Then vegetable broth is used to maximize flavor, bay leaves add earthiness, and cayenne adds heat.
For a smoky, bacon-y element, we went with both smoked paprika and liquid smoke. And for the salty element, we used both coconut aminos and sea salt. Black pepper adds a final spicy touch!
We hope you LOVE these black eyed peas & greens! They’re:
Comforting
Quick & easy
SUPER flavorful
Smoky
Subtly spiced
Versatile
& SO delicious!
It’s the perfect dish to serve for New Year’s Day, especially with rice, cornbread, or a baked sweet potato! But it’s also equally delicious any day of the year and would be great for meal prep, easy weeknight dinners, and beyond!
More Collard Green Recipes
- Coconut Bacon Collard Greens
- Coconut Curried Greens
- Collard Green Spring Rolls
- Veggie Collard Green Burritos
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Smoky Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas & Greens (Vegan)
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil or avocado oil (if subbing water or broth for oil, start with twice this amount and add additional 1 Tbsp as needed to prevent sticking)
- 1 medium yellow or white onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ¼ cups dry black eyed peas (no need to soak // see notes if using canned)
- 3 ½ cups vegetable broth (DIY or we like Pacific brand)
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (omit for less heat)
- 2 Tbsp coconut aminos (or sub tamari but reduce amount by half as its saltier)
- 1 tsp liquid smoke (adds a smoky “bacon” flavor)
- 1/2 tsp each sea salt and pepper (plus more to taste)
- 1 small bundle collard greens, bulky stems removed, leaves chopped into bite-sized pieces (~6 cups chopped // or sub other sturdy green such as kale)
FOR SERVING optional
Instructions
INSTANT POT (with dry black eyed peas)
- Press “SAUTE” on the Instant Pot. See instructions below if you don't have an Instant Pot. Once hot, add oil and onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender and translucent.
- Add bell pepper and minced garlic and sauté for 1 additional minute, then press “CANCEL”.
- Add all remaining ingredients except collard greens and stir to combine. Then top with collard greens, but don’t stir (this helps keep the beans submerged in the liquid rather than some winding up on top of the greens).
- Cover with lid, press “PRESSURE COOK”, and cook on high for 17 minutes. Allow to naturally release pressure for 15 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
- Remove bay leaves and stir. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more paprika and/or liquid smoke for smokiness, cayenne pepper for heat, salt to taste, or coconut aminos for depth of flavor. We added a bit more of each!
- Serve beans and greens on their own, over rice, baked/roasted sweet potato, or with cornbread (linked above). Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days, or in the freezer for 1 month.
STOVETOP (with dry black eyed peas)
- Soak black eyed peas in cool water for 12-24 hours, then drain and set aside.
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add oil and onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender and translucent.
- Add bell pepper and minced garlic and sauté for 1 additional minute or until tender and fragrant.
- Add all remaining ingredients except collard greens and stir to combine. Use an additional 1/2 cup (120 ml) more vegetable broth for this method (amount as additional recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size). Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding more liquid if needed to fully submerge peas.
- After 30 minutes, the black eyed peas should be al dente. At this time, add the collard greens, stir, and continue cooking for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peas are tender and the greens are wilted and darker green. If there is too much liquid, remove the lid, increase heat, and allow some of the liquid to evaporate off.
- Remove bay leaves and stir. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more paprika and/or liquid smoke for smokiness, cayenne pepper for heat, salt to taste, or coconut aminos for depth of flavor. We added a bit more of each!
- Serve beans and greens on their own, over rice, baked/roasted sweet potato, or with cornbread (linked above). Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days, or in the freezer for 1 month.
STOVETOP (with canned black eyed peas)
- Slightly drain canned black eyed peas and set aside.
- Heat a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add oil and onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender and translucent.
- Add bell pepper and minced garlic and sauté for 1 additional minute or until tender and fragrant.
- Add all remaining ingredients (use only half the amount of vegetable broth for this method or it will be soupy) and stir to combine. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the greens are wilted and darker green. If there is too much liquid, remove the lid, increase heat, and allow some of the liquid to evaporate off.
- Remove bay leaves and stir. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more paprika and/or liquid smoke for smokiness, cayenne pepper for heat, salt to taste, or coconut aminos for depth of flavor. We added a bit more of each!
- Serve beans and greens on their own, over rice, baked/roasted sweet potato, or with cornbread (linked above). Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days, or in the freezer for 1 month.
Video
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients.
*Adapted from Simply Happy Foodie and the Good Luck Black Eyed Peas from the Sweet Potato Soul Cookbook.
Joyce Merrill says
Love this recipe and have made it multiple times. I’m making it for meat eater friends, and would like to add ham to it. Do I need to alter the recipe to accommodate that?
I also appreciate the tip on “find on page” in my phone browser. Learned something new!
Hey Joyce! That should work, but you might want to add a little less salt and adjust the seasoning at the end!
Rachel says
Wonderfully surprising depth of flavor! Good with or without the greens if you don’t have them handy. I loved making this for a healthy vegan high-protein meal prep. I will be making this in the future on rotation!
We’re so glad you enjoyed this one, Rachel! Thank you for sharing! xo
Lori says
This is delicious! I didn’t have collard greens so after cooking for 30 min on high pressure I added chopped fresh spinach. I did not use oil or do any sauteing. I also don’t use salt or pepper. We love it and will make it again soon. Thank you!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Lori! Thank you for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications! xo