Hot Black-Eyed Pea Dip (Printable)

Warm, creamy blend of black-eyed peas, jalapeños, and three cheeses baked until golden and bubbly.

# Components:

→ Dairy

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup sour cream
03 - 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded, divided

→ Canned Goods

04 - 2 cups black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables and Flavorings

05 - 1/2 cup pickled jalapeños, chopped
06 - 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced
07 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings

09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and sour cream. Beat until smooth and creamy.
03 - Add 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, black-eyed peas, pickled jalapeños, green onions, red bell pepper, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
04 - Transfer mixture to a greased 1.5-quart baking dish.
05 - Sprinkle remaining 0.5 cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
06 - Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.
07 - Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm with tortilla chips or vegetable sticks.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 20 minutes of actual work, leaving you time to stress about literally anything else.
  • The warm cheese and tangy jalapeños create this addictive balance that makes people keep coming back to the bowl.
  • Black-eyed peas add substance and nuttiness that makes the dip feel substantial without being heavy.
02 -
  • Don't skip the 5-minute rest—I learned this the hard way when I served it straight from the oven and it was too loose to hold on a chip.
  • Drain your black-eyed peas thoroughly or your dip will be watery and sad instead of creamy and perfect.
03 -
  • Let your cream cheese soften completely at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before mixing—this prevents lumpy texture and frustration.
  • Taste the mixture before it goes in the oven; the seasonings can hide until the dip warms up, so adjust salt and spice while you can still fix it.
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