Black-Eyed Peas With Smoked Turkey (Print Version)

Tender black-eyed peas and lean smoked turkey simmered with aromatic vegetables in a savory broth for a hearty, nutritious Southern dish.

# What You’ll 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 - ½ 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 Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, celery, carrot, and minced garlic. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
02 - Add smoked turkey, black-eyed peas, bay leaf, smoked paprika, dried thyme, red pepper flakes, black pepper, broth, and water to the pot. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
03 - Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 60 to 75 minutes until black-eyed peas are tender and flavors are well developed. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface as needed.
04 - Remove smoked turkey from the pot. Shred the meat from the bones, discard skin and bones, and return the shredded meat to the pot.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed. Remove and discard bay leaf before serving.
06 - Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley and hot sauce if desired. Serve hot alongside steamed rice or cornbread.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It's naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, so you're not sacrificing flavor for how it fits into your life.
  • The smoked turkey keeps it lean without tasting diet-conscious, which is its own small miracle.
  • One pot, honest flavors, and you can walk away while it simmers—perfect for days when you need food that doesn't demand your attention.
02 -
  • Don't skip the sorting and rinsing of dried peas—dried beans trap all kinds of debris, and there's nothing sadder than a crunch of gravel in a spoonful of comfort food.
  • The longer this simmers, the better it gets, so if you have the time, let it go the full seventy-five minutes instead of rushing it at sixty.
03 -
  • Make a double batch and freeze half—it reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day when the flavors have settled and deepened.
  • If you can't find smoked turkey, smoked chicken works, or even a ham hock if you want to keep it traditional and don't mind the extra fat.
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