Black-Eyed Peas With Smoked Turkey (Printable)

Tender peas and smoked turkey simmered with aromatic vegetables in a savory broth for a hearty, nutritious meal.

# Components:

→ 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 - 1/2 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

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, carrot, and garlic. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened.
02 - Add smoked turkey, black-eyed peas, bay leaf, smoked paprika, thyme, red pepper flakes, black pepper, broth, and water. Stir thoroughly to combine.
03 - Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 60-75 minutes until black-eyed peas are tender and flavors are well developed. Skim foam as needed.
04 - Remove smoked turkey from pot. Shred the meat from bones, discard skin and bones, and return shredded meat to pot.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed. Remove bay leaf.
06 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and hot sauce if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The smoked turkey adds genuine depth without heaviness, making this feel indulgent yet honest.
  • Black-eyed peas become impossibly creamy when simmered properly, soaking up every bit of flavor around them.
  • It gets better the next day, which means less cooking stress and more time enjoying life.
02 -
  • Never skip rinsing the dried peas—they often contain small stones or debris that can crack a tooth or ruin the texture if you miss them.
  • The smoked turkey needs to stay in for at least the first 45 minutes so its flavor infuses the broth; removing it too early leaves your dish tasting thin and incomplete.
03 -
  • Don't rush the cooking time—undercooked peas are mealy and disappointing, but those extra 15 minutes transform them into something creamy and perfect.
  • Save any leftover broth separately; it's liquid gold for cooking grains or starting soups, infused with all the flavor you've built.
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