Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas

Black eyed peas is probably my favourite beans and one I eat the most out of the various types of beans. In my household, we eat it not just on New Year's Day but all year round. It's on the menu at least once a month.

They are used in different cuisines around the world and recipes include the Indian curried black-eyed peas, West African beans pottage, Brazilian acarage, Nigerian beans pudding, and the popular southern black eyed peas to mention a few.

Cooking black eyed peas in instant pot is easy and quick and I will show you how in this post.

FAQs- Instant Pot Black eyed Peas Recipe

Are black eyed peas beans?

Yes, they are! Black eyed peas are also called black-eyed beans. It's believed to be a lucky meal and popularly eaten on New Year's Day to bring in wealth and good luck. Aside from bringing luck, it's also delicious and nutritious.

How many calories are in black eyed beans?

A cup of dry black eyed peas has 662 calories while a cup of cooked black eyed beans has 198 calories. I cup dried peas makes approximately 3 cups of cooked beans.

Should you soak black eyed peas before cooking?

I do not soak beans as there's no need to soak beans when making it in the pressure cooker. I do not soak for the stovetop version too and my beans come out perfect at all times. Not soaking beans does not impact the taste. Just ensure the beans are stone and dirt-free. Rinse beans with warm water once or twice before cooking. People with bloating or digestive issues might benefit from soaking beans. If you do have to soak beans, you can do so overnight or for a few hours during the day before cooking.

What is the water ratio for cooking black eyed peas in instant pot?

I use a ratio of 1:2 and it comes out perfect all the time. 1 cup of black eyed peas to 2 cups water. For example, if cooking 2 cups, use 4 cups water. This water ratio with the cooking time specified in this post works best.

Why You'll Love Cooking Black Eyed Peas In Instant Pot.

This recipe is easy, simple, and delicious. It's a no soak, no-drain recipe. I have the instant pot duo 7 in 1 6qt but you can make this recipe in any brand of electric pressure cooker (cooking times may vary). 

• Cooking dry black eyes peas in instant pot is quicker than stovetop. Instant pot cuts the cooking time in half. 

• The instant pot locks in flavor and nutrients and thus give better taste and texture.

• It is inexpensive and cheaper to cook dried black eyed peas than buying canned beans.

• The smell is locked in the instant pot during cooking.

• Convenient and foolproof recipe so there is no guessing about the time to cook it for.

• You don’t have to stay around and watch over the pot like one would with a stovetop. Once you dump the ingredients in the pressure pot, you can do something else and the instant pot does the cooking and beep when it’s done.

• You get perfectly cooked beans all the time.

Ingredients

Black eyed peas

Bell pepper

Smoked paprika- For smokey flavour and colour

Cayenne pepper

Seasoning cube

Broth

Oil - Use vegetable oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil or olive oil

Onions

Garlic

Salt

What else you can add

Ham (optional) - For New years southern black-eyed peas

Bacon (optional)

Collard greens - (Optional)

How To Cook Black Eyed Peas In Instant Pot

1) Rinse beans in warm water.

2) Set the instant pot to saute then add oil in the pot of the instant pot. Add in minced garlic and chopped onions then saute for a few minutes.

3) Add paprika, seasoning, ginger, and cayenne pepper then cancel the saute function of the instant pot.

4) Add broth to the instant pot and scrape to deglaze the instant pot then add salt, washed beans, and bell peppers. Stir and cover the instant pot with the lid and set the valve to ‘sealing’ position.

5) Set the instant pot to manual pressure cook high for 35 minutes and when cooking time is done, do 10 minutes of natural pressure release.

6) Once the instant pot is depressurized, open the lid and stir the beans.

How Long To Cook Black Eyed Peas In Instant Pot

How long to cook black eyed peas in instant pot: For this recipe, with the recommended beans to water ratio, it takes 35 minutes. For firmer texture, it takes 30 minutes of pressure cooking with the same water ratio.

How long to cook it on the stove: It takes approximately 90 minutes to cook on the stovetop.

What To Serve With

What to eat with black eyed peas can include

Instant pot cabbage, Boiled cabbage, collard greens, cornbread

Instant pot basmati rice,

Fried plantain

Instant pot jasmine rice

Bread rolls

How To Store

Dry black eyed peas should be stored in an airtight container and kept away from direct sunlight. Safely stored it would last up to a year or two.

For cooked black eyed beans, leave to cool completely and transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag, label, and store in the fridge for up to 4 days and in the freezer for up to 6 months. When needed, bring out, defrost, reheat, and enjoy.