Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Ham Hock

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting Southern-inspired slow cooker stew featuring tender black-eyed peas and smoky ham hock, perfect for a cozy meal. This southern-inspired slow cooker ready in about 435 minutes pairs pound black-eyed peas, (about 1.5 pounds) smoked ham hock, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 420 min Serves 6 Southern cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 pound black-eyed peas under cold water and pick out any debris, then set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 diced carrots, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a slow cooker along with the rinsed black-eyed peas, 1 smoked ham hock (about 1.5 pounds), 6 cups chicken broth, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the peas are tender and the ham hock meat is falling off the bone.
  5. Step 5: Remove the ham hock from the slow cooker, shred the meat, discard the bone, and stir the shredded meat back into the peas. Remove bay leaves and adjust seasoning if needed before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Ham Hock take to make?

Total time is about 435 minutes (15 min prep + 420 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Ham Hock?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pound black-eyed peas from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Ham Hock?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Ham Hock for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas with Smoked Ham Hock?

Southern slow cooker like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes