Flavorful Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens

Featured in Tasty Ways with Grains and Rice.

Dive into this mouthwatering Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens dish. With a ham bone adding depth, black eyed peas, fresh greens, and wild rice soak up flavors in seasoned chicken broth. Tomato sauce and apple cider vinegar add complexity, while Creole spices give it a little zing. The slow cooker handles it all, creating a comforting Southern meal for New Year’s Day or whenever you’re craving homemade goodness.
Emily Watson
Updated on Mon, 10 Mar 2025 03:25:32 GMT
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Delicious Slow Cooked Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens | thefamilycooks.com

Nothing beats the comforting aroma of classic Southern black eyed peas and collard greens simmering away in the slow cooker. This traditional recipe adapts seamlessly to modern cooking methods while preserving all the rich, soulful flavors that make it a beloved comfort food staple.

The slow cooker's gentle heat works magic on these humble ingredients, coaxing out complex flavors that meld beautifully over several hours of cooking. The result is a deeply satisfying dish that honors Southern cooking traditions.

Key Ingredients

  • Ham Bone: A meaty bone provides rich, smoky flavor throughout cooking
  • Black Eyed Peas: Select fresh, unblemished dried peas for best results
  • Collard Greens: Fresh, bright leaves will hold up during long cooking
  • Wild Rice: Adds pleasant chewiness and nutty flavor notes
  • Chicken Stock: Homemade or quality low-sodium stock works best
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Brightens flavors and tenderizes greens
  • Fresh Aromatics: Onions and garlic create the flavor foundation
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Cooking Method

Prep Steps (15 minutes):
Sort and rinse peas thoroughly. Cut collards into 2-inch pieces, removing tough stems. Dice onions and mince garlic. Position ham bone in cooker center.
Base Layer (10 minutes):
Place ham bone in slow cooker bottom. Add aromatics around bone. Pour in stock to cover by 1 inch. Add seasonings and tomato sauce, stirring gently.
Initial Cooking (2 hours):
Add peas and collards. Cook on High until peas begin softening. Keep lid closed to maintain heat.
Adding Rice (3-4 hours):
Switch to Low heat. Add wild rice, ensuring it's fully submerged. Cook until rice reaches desired texture.
Finishing (30-60 minutes):
Remove ham bone, shred meat, and return to pot. Let flavors meld on Low setting.

Proper timing is essential for this recipe's success. Each ingredient needs adequate time to develop flavor while maintaining its ideal texture. The slow cooker's steady heat ensures everything cooks evenly.

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Managing Heat

Different slow cookers can vary in temperature. Check peas at 90 minutes during first cooking - if still firm, continue on High for full 2 hours before reducing heat.

Perfect Consistency

Monitor liquid levels throughout cooking. Peas should be tender but whole, greens soft but structured, rice chewy but not hard. Add hot stock as needed to maintain proper consistency.

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Seasoning Tips

Start with minimal seasoning since flavors concentrate during cooking. Ham provides natural salt. Adjust seasonings and add heat from spices in final hour.

Using Leftovers

This dish improves over several days as flavors develop further. Use leftovers for breakfast topped with eggs or convert to soup by adding extra broth.

Serving Options

Serve in deep bowls with cornbread. Also excellent over polenta or with roasted sweet potatoes. Offer toppings like fresh onions, tomatoes, and hot sauce.

Advance Preparation

Prep ingredients the night before. Store cut vegetables separately. Wait to chop collards until cooking time to maintain freshness.

Dietary Modifications

For vegetarian version, substitute smoked mushrooms and vegetable stock. Add smoked paprika for depth. Verify stock ingredients for gluten-free preparation.

Regional Styles

Different Southern regions add unique touches: sorghum in Georgia, Trinity mix in Louisiana, okra in Mississippi. Each variation offers distinct flavor profiles.

Chef's Advice

Dice and use collard stems with aromatics. Consider sautéing onions and garlic first. Keep frozen cooked peas ready for quick preparation.

This slow cooker method brings Southern tradition into the modern kitchen. The recipe honors classic techniques while offering convenient preparation, creating a wholesome, satisfying meal perfect for any occasion.

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Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas and Collard Greens | thefamilycooks.com

Black Eyed Peas & Greens

Smoky black eyed peas and collards paired with a ham bone, simmered low and slow for unbeatable Southern flavors.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
480 Minutes
Total Time
495 Minutes

Category: Grains & Rice

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 A single large ham bone, meat attached
02 1 pound of dried black-eyed peas
03 3/4 cup of uncooked wild rice
04 2 to 3 cups of chopped collard greens

→ Aromatics & Liquids

05 About half of a big sweet onion, diced
06 3 minced garlic cloves
07 2 quarts of chicken broth or stock
08 1 cup of plain tomato sauce
09 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar

→ Seasonings

10 1 teaspoon of salt or Creole spice mix
11 2 teaspoons of garlic powder
12 2 teaspoons of onion powder
13 Half a teaspoon of black pepper
14 A light 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne for heat

Instructions

Step 01

Dump the black-eyed peas into a big strainer, and rinse with cold water. Take some time to pick out any funky or broken ones and toss any odd bits or debris.

Step 02

Throw the ham bone into your slow cooker. Add the diced onion, garlic, chicken broth, seasonings, vinegar, and tomato sauce. Mix things up a bit before tossing in the black-eyed peas and collard greens.

Step 03

Leave the slow cooker on High and let everything cook for 2 hours. After that, mix in the wild rice.

Step 04

Put the lid back on and switch the heat to Low. Cook for 4 hours straight.

Step 05

Pull out the ham bone carefully, trim off any leftover meat and return the meat to the pot. Stir it all together and keep cooking on Low for another half hour to an hour. Skim off any extra grease from the top before dishing it out.

Notes

  1. Great dish to make for your New Year’s celebration
  2. Pre-washed and bagged greens will make things faster
  3. Pick a slow cooker with enough room for everything

Tools You'll Need

  • A big slow cooker (6 quarts or larger)
  • Colander or strainer
  • Good cutting board and knife
  • Measuring tools, like cups and spoons

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: ~
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~