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 m…
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.
It’s said that eating black eyed peas on New Year’s Day brings you good luck. Now, I’m not usually superstitious, but after a year like 2020, I’m willing to try anything (just kidding, but I’m not). So let’s ring in good luck for the new year with this quick pot of black eyed peas and greens. Vegetarian and meat options included!
It’s said that eating black eyed peas on New Year’s Day brings you good luck. Now, I’m not usually superstitious, but after a year like 2020, I’m willing to try anything (just kidding, but I’m not). I have an awesome recipe for slow simmered black eyed peas and greens that I made years ago, but it’s a long process that starts with dry peas. So I wanted to make a “quickie” version, using canned black eyed peas, that’s a little faster and easier for times when you haven’t planned ahead.
How to Serve Black Eyed Peas and Greens
There are two basic ways that I like to serve a bit pot of beans or peas like this. Either in a bowl with rice, or in a bowl with a big chunk of crusty bread for dipping. Having some sort of starch to kind of balance the meal out makes it super satisfying and filling.
A little dash of hot sauce on top of your bowl or even a dollop of sour cream on top is also pretty awesome. ;)
Can I Use Dry Peas?
This recipe is specifically made for canned peas, which are already cooked. If you’d like to make something similar using dry peas, follow my recipe for Slow Simmered Black Eyed Peas and Greens.
Can I Add Meat?
The recipe below is vegetarian (vegan, actually), but it’s super easy to add meat to this meal. You have three easy options to keep this a “quick” meal: bacon, ham, or smoked sausage. Whichever one you decide to use, just sauté the meat in the pot before beginning with the onion and garlic in step one below.
Can I Freeze Black Eyed Peas?
Yes! This recipe is great for stocking your freezer. Just divide it into single portions, cool it in the fridge first, then once cool transfer it to the freezer for longer storage (about 3 months or so). Any freezer-safe container will do. To reheat, either use a microwave or heat in a sauce pot over medium-low, stirring often, until heated through.
Quickie Black Eyed Peas and Greens
Ring in good luck for the new year with this quick pot of black eyed peas and greens. Vegetarian and meat options included!
Total Cost $4.43 recipe / $1.11 serving
Prep Time 10minutes
Cook Time 25minutes
Total Time 35minutes
Servings 41.5 cups each
Calories 330.33kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes
Ingredients
1yellowonion$0.32
2clovesgarlic$0.16
2Tbspolive oil$0.32
315oz. cansblack eyed peas$2.37
1/2tspdried oregano$0.05
1/2tspsmoked paprika$0.05
1/8tspcayenne pepper$0.02
1/4tspfreshly cracked black pepper$0.03
2cupsvegetable broth$0.26
4oz.fresh spinach$0.85
Instructions
Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add both to a large soup pot with the olive oil and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent.
Drain the canned black eyed peas, then add them to the pot along with the oregano, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and vegetable broth. Stir to combine.
Place a lid on the pot, turn the heat up to medium high, and bring the pot up to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, and allow the peas to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
After the peas have simmered for about 15 minutes, use the back of a spoon to smash some of the peas against the side of the pot to thicken the broth (or use an immersion blender to blend a small portion of the peas).
Add the fresh spinach to the pot and stir until it has wilted into the peas. Give the peas a taste and adjust the salt or seasoning to your liking. Serve hot with bread or rice.
How to Make Quickie Black Eyed Peas and Greens – Step by Step Photos
Dice one yellow onion and mince two cloves of garlic. Add the onion and garlic to a large soup pot with 2 Tbsp olive oil and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent.
Drain three 15oz. cans of black eyed peas and add them to the pot along with ½ tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper, ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper, and 2 cups of vegetable broth.
Stir the peas, broth, and seasoning together. Place a lid on the pot, turn the heat up to medium-high, and bring it up to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
After simmering, the peas will have swelled even a little bit more and they will be even more soft. Use a large spoon to smash some of the peas against the side of the pot, or use an immersion blender to purée a small amount of the peas.
Smashing some of the peas makes the broth thick and creamy.
Add 4 oz. fresh spinach (½ of an 8oz. bag) and stir until it has wilted into the peas. Give the peas a taste and adjust the salt or seasonings to your liking.
Serve with crusty bread or rice and enjoy your good luck in the new year! :)
This Texas caviar (Cowboy caviar) will have everyone crowded around the bowl! It’s full of big, zesty flavor and perfect for parties and cookouts. Here’s a tasty dip with a party vibe: Texas caviar! Cowboy caviar, as it’s also known, was invented in Texas and has now spread all over the US. This combo of black eyed peas, veggies and a vinaigrette dressing is equal parts zesty and comforting: and you can use it as a dip or healthy side dish. Our favorite recipe has loads of colorful veggies, cilantro and jalapenos, and a simple zingy dressing with the perfect flavor. Even better: this party dip happens to be vegan, full of plant-based protein. Here’s how to make it! Ingredients in Texas caviar, aka Cowboy Caviar Just like a good potato salad, everyone has their own spin on the ingredients in Texas caviar. The common denominator: you absolutely must use black eyed peas! From there, there are all sorts of variations on the vegetables and dressing. Here are the essential fresh ingredients you need for the salad: Black eyed peas, canned or cooked (see below) Black beans, canned or cooked Corn Red bell pepper Cherry tomatoes Green onions Jalapeno Cilantro […]
This Texas caviar (Cowboy caviar) will have everyone crowded around the bowl! It’s full of big, zesty flavor and perfect for parties and cookouts.
Here’s a tasty dip with a party vibe: Texas caviar! Cowboy caviar, as it’s also known, was invented in Texas and has now spread all over the US. This combo of black eyed peas, veggies and a vinaigrette dressing is equal parts zesty and comforting: and you can use it as a dip or healthy side dish. Our favorite recipe has loads of colorful veggies, cilantro and jalapenos, and a simple zingy dressing with the perfect flavor. Even better: this party dip happens to be vegan, full of plant-based protein. Here’s how to make it!
Ingredients in Texas caviar, aka Cowboy Caviar
Just like a good potato salad, everyone has their own spin on the ingredients in Texas caviar. The common denominator: you absolutely must use black eyed peas! From there, there are all sorts of variations on the vegetables and dressing. Here are the essential fresh ingredients you need for the salad:
Black eyed peas, canned or cooked (see below)
Black beans, canned or cooked
Corn
Red bell pepper
Cherry tomatoes
Green onions
Jalapeno
Cilantro
Texas caviar dressing
Now, let’s talk Cowboy caviar dressing. A common variation of this recipe uses store-bought Italian dressing. But of course you must make homemade! The dressing is simple to whip up using just a few ingredients you’ll likely already have in your pantry and spice drawer. Here’s what’s in this Texas caviar dressing:
Lime juice
Apple cider vinegar
Sugar
Spices: Garlic powder, cumin, and oregano
Olive oil
How to make Texas caviar: simply chop all the veggies, then whisk up the dressing and stir it together. Easy as that! Jump to the recipe below for the specifics.
Why is it called Cowboy caviar?
Some people call this dip Cowboy caviar, which is a nickname for Texas caviar. Texas caviar is named for its birthplace: Texas! It was created around 1940 by a woman named Helen Corbitt. She first served it on New Year’s Eve at a country club (perhaps because black eyed peas are known as a lucky New Year’s Eve food). When she later served it at a Texas hotel, it was dubbed “Texas caviar” as a play on the real caviar, a fancy appetizer made with fish roe. The name stuck!
What are black eyed peas, anyway?
Black eye peas are not really not peas at all. They’re beans! Black eyed peas are part of the legume family with black beans and chickpeas. While they’re often eaten in the American South, are eaten all over the world.
One of the most popular black eyed peas recipes in the US is as a lucky New Year’s Day tradition: Hoppin’ John, a dish with rice and pork. But there are so many other ways to serve them, like Texas caviar! A few of our other favorites as black eyed pea salad or as a side dish.
Canned vs cooked black eyed peas
For Texas caviar, we like using canned black eyed peas because they’re quick and easy! They also have a beautifully soft texture. But some stores don’t carry them (at least here in Indiana!). So you also can cook your black eyed peas from dry. Here’s what to do:
Place 1/2 pound dried black eyed peas in a large pot with 2 cups vegetable broth, 2 cups water and 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt. (You can also cook the entire pound and double these ingredients! Then you’ll have leftovers.)
Cook 40 to 50 minutes until they’re tender but still hold together. Then drain.
How to serve Texas caviar
There are lots of ways to serve Texas caviar or Cowboy caviar, but the most popular is with chips! Here are a few more ideas to get your wheels turning:
Add all the vegetables and beans to a bowl. Mix with the kosher salt.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sugar, garlic powder, and cumin. Gradually whisk in the olive oil. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and mix to combine.
Serve immediately, or refrigerate until serving. Serve with chips for dipping.
Category:Appetizer
Method:Raw
Cuisine:Tex Mex
Keywords: Texas caviar, Cowboy caviar
More dip recipes
This Texas caviar is a perfect party dip! Here are a few more dip recipes you might enjoy:
Spinach Artichoke Dip Irresistibly creamy and tangy! Everyone will park themselves in front of the bowl, then ask you for the recipe.
Simple Guacamole Perfect flavor! Creamy, savory and perfectly balanced, you’ll hear a chorus of “Wow’s” every time you serve it.
Dill Pickle Dip Perfect for parties! Creamy and tangy, it’s like biting into a dill pickle spear.
Peanut Butter Dip Wow, do people love this one! This healthy dip is just 4 ingredients and tastes like frosting! Perfect for dipping apples, pretzels or fruit.