New Year's Day Black-Eyed Peas

A hearty and traditional dish of black-eyed peas slowly simmered with bacon, onions, garlic, and aromatic thyme. Perfect for bringing good luck in the New Year or any day you want a comforting Southern-style meal.

6 servings
57 min

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 4 ounces slab bacon, cut into 1/2" pieces (optional)
  • 1 medium medium onion, finely chopped
  • 5 sprigs sprigs thyme, plus leaves for serving
  • 4 cloves garlic cloves, smashed
  • 2 cups black-eyed peas, soaked overnight, drained
  • 1 to taste Kosher salt
  • 1 to taste freshly ground pepper

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large saucepan over medium. Add bacon, if using, and cook, stirring occasionally, until some of the fat begins to collect in the pan and bacon starts to look shiny, about 5 minutes. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and tender, about 5 minutes. Add thyme sprigs, garlic, black-eyed peas, and 8 cups cold water and bring to a simmer over medium-high. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer gently, skimming any foam from surface, until beans are tender, 35-45 minutes. Discard thyme; season with salt.

    55 min

  2. 2.

    To serve, drizzle beans with oil and top with thyme leaves and some pepper.

    2 min

  3. 3.

    Beans can be cooked 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.