Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas And Ham Hocks

If the dish becomes too thick, you can add some additional water or broth to thin it out.

Serve the black-eyed peas and ham hocks with cornbread or rice for a traditional meal.

Add diced tomatoes or bell peppers for extra flavor.

Add chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley or thyme, before serving.

What kind of ham should I use for this recipe?

Make sure to use meaty ham hocks for this recipe, as they will add a lot of flavor to the dish.

Do I need to soak the black-eyed peas before cooking?

No, you do not need to soak the black-eyed peas before adding them to the crock pot.

Can I use canned black-eyed peas instead of dried?

You can use canned black-eyed peas, but the texture and flavor may be slightly different and they may be overcooked by the time the ham hocks are done so you may want to add them during the last 2 hours of cooking.

How much water should I add to the crock pot?

Add enough water to cover the ham hocks and black-eyed peas completely. The exact amount will depend on the size and shape of your crock pot and the size of the ham hocks.

Can I add other seasonings or vegetables to this recipe?

You can experiment with additional seasonings, such as garlic, onion, or bay leaves.

Can I use a different type of bean instead of black-eyed peas?

You can substitute black-eyed peas with other beans like navy beans or pinto beans. Keep in mind you may need to soak other types of beans before cooking them.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

You can freeze the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Make sure to cool the dish completely before freezing.

Crock Pot: For slowly cooking the black-eyed peas and ham hocks until tender and flavorful. Set it and forget it!

Knife or Kitchen Shears: To cut the meat away from the ham hocks and into small pieces after they have finished cooking.

Tongs or Slotted Spoon: For removing the ham hocks from the crock pot once they are cooked.

Crispy Cornbread: the crunchy texture of cornbread will provide a nice contrast to the creamy black-eyed peas and add a touch of sweetness to balance out the savory ham hocks.

Collard Greens: the bitterness of collard greens will cut through the richness of the ham hocks.

Macaroni and Cheese: the creamy and cheesy mac and cheese would be a perfect comforting and indulgent side dish to pair with the hearty and savory black-eyed peas and ham hocks.

Buttermilk Biscuits: the fluffy and buttery biscuits would be a great vehicle for scooping up the black-eyed peas and ham hocks.