Late one night, I caught that craving for something warm, comforting, and packed with bold flavor. So, I dove into the kitchen, determined to whip up a Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens dish that would knock my socks off. What started as a late-night kitchen experiment quickly turned into a happy accident! The way those tender black-eyed peas mingled with rich, hearty collard greens, all kissed by smoky, savory seasonings—oh, the flavor magic was undeniable. It wasn’t long before this Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens recipe became a staple at my table, turning everyday meals into moments worth celebrating.
What thrills me most about this dish is how it marries tradition with a bold twist, lifting old-school soul food black-eyed peas into a stew that feels fresh, homey, and so satisfying. It’s one of those meals that not only fills you up but also feeds that deep comfort food craving we all have sometimes. Plus, it’s perfect for those weeknights when you want a dish that’s fuss-free but never lacks flavor fire.
If you’ve ever wondered how to cook collard greens in a way that respects their Southern roots but adds a little something extra, this Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens is your new go-to. Trust me, every forkful carries that soul food goodness with a twist that keeps you coming back for more.
I’m so excited to share this with all my fellow food lovers who crave comfort food with bold flavors. Get ready, because this recipe will have you dancing in your kitchen! Let’s get into how you can bring this soul-satisfying, traditional southern black-eyed peas recipe right into your home.
Ingredients You Need
This Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens ingredient list is all about bold flavors that actually work together! Grab the essentials at your regular grocery store and watch how easy it is to build this soul food masterpiece.

- 1 cup dried black-eyed peas (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed for a shortcut)
- 1 large bunch collard greens, chopped (fresh is best, but frozen works too)
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
- 2 smoked turkey wings or 4 slices smoked turkey bacon (this is the secret flavor booster!)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (adds that deep smoky punch)
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust for your heat tolerance)
- 1 teaspoon salt (taste and adjust)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or bacon grease (for authentic soul food vibes)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (for that perfect tang in collard greens southern style)
- Optional: Hot sauce for serving
No worries if you don’t have smoked turkey wings on hand—I often swap them with smoked sausage or even a ham hock when I need more smoky punch in my Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens. To save time on prep, buy pre-washed, chopped collard greens or frozen options that thaw quickly. Plus, canned black-eyed peas speed things up without sacrificing flavor.
I love adding extra smoked paprika and a splash of hot sauce to my Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens for that extra kick that gets the whole kitchen buzzing. Store your dried peas in an airtight container away from heat or try freezing your collard greens if you bought extra — freshness preserved for your next flavor adventure!
Let’s Make Some!
Alright, fellow food lovers, this is my favorite part of making Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens—watch the magic happen!
- Prep your peas: If using dried black-eyed peas, rinse and soak them for at least 4 hours or overnight. This softens them up and cuts down cooking time. Don’t have time? No worries! Just rinse canned peas thoroughly.
- Sizzle your flavor base: Heat olive oil or bacon grease in a large pot over medium heat. Toss in diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Your kitchen already smells like southern soul food goodness.
- Add garlic and spices: Stir in minced garlic, smoked paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes. Let those spices toast gently for about 1 minute — this is where the magic starts happening!
- Introduce the greens & broth: Add your chopped collard greens right into the pot, followed by smoked turkey wings or bacon. Pour in your chicken broth. Stir it up and bring everything to a gentle simmer.
- Cook those peas: Drain your soaked peas and add them to the pot. Let the whole Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens stew gently bubble for about 1–1.5 hours. This slow cook melds flavors and softens the peas to creamy perfection.
- Season and finish: About 15 minutes before serving, add salt, pepper, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning. Your Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens should smell absolutely incredible right now!
- Serve and enjoy: Remove turkey wings to de-bone if you like, or leave the smoky meat in for extra flavor. Ladle into bowls and get ready for some serious comfort food celebration.
In my kitchen, this Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens usually takes about 1.5 hours, but the time is so worth it. If you’re in crunch time, canned peas and pre-washed greens cut cooking to about 30 minutes without losing that deep soul food flavor. Plus, this recipe is the perfect chance to experiment — I once accidentally swapped smoked turkey for chorizo and ended up with a whole new spice vibe (totally recommend!).
For more traditional southern black-eyed peas recipe ideas, check out this Southern Style Black Eyed Peas recipe for some extra spice hits.
How to Serve Up This!
People literally do happy dances when this Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens hits the table with a side of cornbread slathered in butter! I like to serve mine with fluffy white rice or creamy grits for a hearty, well-rounded meal.
This Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens is perfect for those weeknight dinners that need to be special but don’t demand hours in the kitchen. It’s also a star at potlucks and game nights — whenever I bring this dish to the table, I’ve seen surprised smiles turn to full-on food joy.
Want to wow guests? Serve it in rustic bowls, topped with crispy smoked turkey bacon bits and a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce. For leftovers, transform it into a vibrant soup by adding extra broth and some diced tomatoes, or stuff it into wraps for a soul food black-eyed peas twist.
If you’re craving a fusion flavor adventure, try stirring in a splash of coconut milk and some curry powder for a Black-Eyed Peas and Greens stew inspired by African flavors. Hungry for more? You’ll love the Black-Eyed Pea Soup with Collard Greens and Sausage twist from The Blond Cook.
This Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens always sparks rave reviews — the comfort, boldness, and twist on tradition have everybody asking for seconds!
FAQs:
1. Will kitchen newbies succeed with this Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens?
Absolutely! This recipe is forgiving and practical. Use canned peas if you’re short on time, and pre-washed greens to cut steps. I promise the flavor turns out banging every time — I had a newbie try it and rave about the taste!
2. What if I mess up my Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens?
Spoiler: it’ll still taste incredible! If it ends up too salty, add more broth or a splash of vinegar. If too thick, thin with a bit of water or broth. I once overcooked mine a bit and it turned into a perfect thick stew loved by everyone.
3. How can I prep this Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens for busy weeknights?
Soak the peas ahead or use canned, chop greens in advance, and store in airtight containers. The day of, it just takes about 30 minutes to pull it all together. For a shortcut, try a quick pressure cooker version inspired by this traditional southern black-eyed peas recipe.
4. Can I make this dish vegetarian or vegan?
Yes! Swap smoked turkey for smoked paprika and use vegetable broth. You still get tons of deep flavor, and it’s an awesome soul food black-eyed peas meatless option.
5. What does collard greens southern style taste like in this dish?
They bring a slightly bitter, earthy flavor that balances the sweet creaminess of the black-eyed peas. When cooked down slowly with smoky seasoning, it’s pure comfort.
6. Where can I find the best tips for how to cook collard greens?
Check out this Southern Turnip Greens Recipe for more on techniques and flavor tips. It’s a great resource when you’re getting into greens cooking.
7. Can I freeze leftovers of Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens?
Definitely! Freeze in portions and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating on the stove. Tastes just like freshly made!
For more pretty awesome recipes in the same spirit, you can head over to Grill Drip’s Southern Style Black-Eyed Peas or Greek Peas Stew with Potatoes for bold twists you’ll love.
Conclusion

This Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens recipe brings me so much joy because it takes humble ingredients and turns them into soul-satisfying comfort food with a bold flavor punch. It’s that dish you crave on cozy nights with friends or when you want weekend vibes on a busy weekday.
My Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens Flavor Secrets:
- Always start by sautéing onions and garlic in a fat with smoky notes like bacon grease or olive oil for depth.
- Slow simmering with smoked turkey wings unlocks that signature Southern soul aroma.
- A splash of apple cider vinegar at the end brightens and balances the rich stew perfectly.
I’ve tested this dish with some fun variations: adding smoked sausage for hearty weekend meals, making a vegan version packed with smoky spices, or turning it into a spicy black-eyed peas and greens stew by upping the heat with extra red pepper flakes. Each version brings something special to the table, perfect for any occasion from Sunday family dinners to festive potlucks.
Trust your taste buds and don’t be afraid to get creative with this Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens. The kitchen is your playground, and this dish is a delicious invitation to make every meal memorable.
I’m beyond excited for you to try this recipe and start your own flavor adventure with one of my favorite soul food black-eyed peas creations!
For even more inspiration, swing by Savory with Soul’s Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe with Collard Greens and Immaculate Bites’ Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens for extra soulful vibes. Let’s make meals that bring that warm, happy feeling every time.
Ready to taste some comfort with a twist? Let’s get cooking!
Southern Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens
A hearty and flavorful Southern dish featuring tender black-eyed peas simmered with nutritious collard greens, seasoned with smoky spices for a comforting meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried black-eyed peas, rinsed
- 6 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 bunch collard greens, washed and chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 smoked ham hock or 4 oz smoked turkey (optional)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Soak the black-eyed peas in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain.
- In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add soaked black-eyed peas, water or broth, ham hock (if using), smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to the pot.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook covered for 45 minutes or until peas are tender.
- Remove ham hock, shred any meat, and return to the pot.
- Add chopped collard greens and simmer uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until greens are tender.
- Stir in apple cider vinegar and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Serve warm as a main or side dish.
Notes
For extra smoky flavor, add a splash of liquid smoke or use smoked turkey sausage instead of ham hock. Serve with cornbread for a classic Southern meal.