Black-Eyed Peas With Smoked Turkey (Printer-Friendly)

Tender black-eyed peas simmered with lean smoked turkey, aromatic vegetables, and Southern seasonings for a wholesome, protein-rich one-pot meal.

# What You Need:

→ Legumes and Vegetables

01 - 1 pound dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and sorted
02 - 1 medium onion, chopped
03 - 2 celery stalks, chopped
04 - 1 large carrot, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 bay leaf

→ Meats

07 - 1 pound smoked turkey wings or drumsticks

→ Liquids

08 - 6 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
09 - 2 cups water

→ Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
13 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - Salt to taste
15 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Garnish

16 - Chopped fresh parsley
17 - Hot sauce

# How to Cook:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, carrot, and garlic, sautéing for 5-6 minutes until softened.
02 - Add smoked turkey, black-eyed peas, bay leaf, smoked paprika, thyme, red pepper flakes, black pepper, broth, and water to the pot. Stir thoroughly to combine all components.
03 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 60-75 minutes until black-eyed peas are tender and flavors are fully developed. Skim foam as it rises.
04 - Remove smoked turkey from the pot. Shred meat from bones, discarding skin and bones, then return shredded meat to the pot.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed. Remove bay leaf before serving.
06 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley and hot sauce if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The smoked turkey gives you all that deep, savory richness without weighing you down like heavy cream ever could.
  • One pot means you're done with dishes before the game even starts, which feels like its own kind of good fortune.
02 -
  • Don't skip sorting the dried peas—I learned this the hard way, and biting down on a pebble will ruin your entire meal in an instant.
  • The peas continue to soften even after you remove the pot from heat, so if they're barely tender at the seventy-five minute mark, that's actually perfect timing rather than needing more heat.
03 -
  • Save any extra broth from the pot before serving—it becomes liquid gold for reheating and keeps the peas from drying out overnight.
  • If you forget to sort the peas and realize it mid-cook, carefully pour them into a shallow bowl and look them over while the pot keeps simmering, then return them quickly.
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