Crock Pot Black Eyed Peas with Smoked Turkey Leg: A Southern Tradition Made Easy

Just two ingredients, slow-cooked in a slow cooker—smoked turkey leg and black-eyed peas—combine to make the most succulent and flavorful dish.

I’m going to show you how to use dried beans to make black-eyed peas in your slow cooker today. Just toss them in and carry on with your day—these beans cook to perfection!.

Southerners start preparing for that special first big meal of the year as the new year draws near, complete with symbolic foods that, in accordance with tradition, will bring prosperity and good fortune.

Permit me to provide you with some historical background: Union forces invaded the South during the Civil War, taking crops and livestock to feed their forces. Southerners who weren’t off fighting were left with precious little, save for peas and greens. These dishes became treasured and appreciated because they prevented starvation for many families during those difficult times, and the tradition of eating them on New Year’s Day was born.

Here they are: black-eyed peas for good luck, with the quantity eaten directly correlated with the amount of good luck one will receive, and collard greens or turnip greens for wealth, with the amount eaten directly correlated with the amount of wealth one will receive.

I will carry on eating this way out of respect for tradition and to be served a plate full of my favorites, but naturally, I don’t think that because I don’t believe in luck and I know that a pot of greens won’t make me rich!

This crockpot black eyed peas recipe is ridiculously easy. Just place them in the slow cooker with a smoked turkey leg and some salt to cook them slowly on low for up to 10 hours. In the end, you just know they’re going to be as tender and flavorful as ever. Now, I know traditional New Year’s Day meat is some type of pork. However, we don’t eat pork anymore and we’ve found smoked turkey to be an excellent substitute.

Hello, fellow foodies! This Crock Pot Black Eyed Peas with Smoked Turkey Leg recipe is a delicious and simple way to start the New Year with a touch of Southern tradition. It’s the ideal way to indulge in the flavors associated with luck and prosperity without having to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

A Taste of Tradition:

Collard greens and black-eyed peas are mainstays on many Southern tables on New Year’s Day. These modest components are thought to bring prosperity and good fortune in the upcoming year. Though the precise beginnings of this custom are up for debate, it’s a well-liked way to celebrate the past and welcome the future over a filling and tasty dinner.

The Magic of the Crock Pot:

This recipe makes the most of the magic of the slow cooker to produce flavorful, soft black-eyed peas that are enhanced by the smoky goodness of a turkey leg. It’s a hands-off method that lets you concentrate on other celebration-related details while the crock pot works.

Simple Ingredients Big Flavor:

This recipe is all about simplicity. You only need three ingredients: dried black eyed peas, salt, and a smoked turkey leg. The slow cooker does the rest, transforming these simple ingredients into a dish that’s both comforting and satisfying.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Gather Your Supplies:

    • Crock pot
    • Dried black eyed peas
    • Smoked turkey leg
    • Salt
    • Measuring spoons
    • Soup ladle
  2. Prepare the Crock Pot:

    • Place the turkey leg and dried peas into your slow cooker.
    • Sort the beans to remove any debris.
    • Add salt to taste.
    • Add enough water to cover everything.
    • Put the lid on and turn the crock pot on low for 8 to 10 hours.
  3. Enjoy the Delicious Results:

    • The turkey will be tender and easy to shred.
    • Add the shredded turkey back to the crock pot and stir.
    • Serve the black eyed peas with your favorite Southern sides, like cornbread, collard greens, and mac and cheese.

Tips and Tricks:

  • Feel free to substitute the turkey leg for a ham hock or other smoked meat.
  • For a vegetarian option, omit the meat and add more vegetables, like carrots, celery, and bell peppers.
  • If you’re short on time, you can cook the black eyed peas on high for 5 to 6 hours.
  • Add a splash of chicken broth for extra flavor.
  • Experiment with different seasonings, like cumin, Cajun seasoning, or oregano.

Storage and Leftovers:

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Thaw and reheat either on the stovetop or in the microwave.

More Than Just a Meal:

This Crock Pot Black Eyed Peas with Smoked Turkey Leg recipe is more than just a delicious dish. It’s a way to connect with tradition, celebrate the New Year, and share a heartwarming meal with loved ones. So, gather your ingredients, turn on your crock pot, and get ready to savor the flavors of good fortune and prosperity. Happy New Year!

How to Make Crockpot Black Eyed Peas

Place the turkey leg and dried peas into your slow cooker.

I am using a 6-quart slow cooker here.

It is always a good idea to “sort” your beans before adding them to the crockpot. Sometimes you’ll find a small stone in the bag. Some brands have several. Toss them into the pot to sort them; just pour them into your hand a little at a time and look to make sure they’re all beans.

Add salt.

It takes a good bit of salt to make beans. I add a tablespoon for this whole crockpot.

Add enough water to cover everything.

Put your lid on and turn that puppy on low for 8 to 10 hours.

Overnight is fine if you want to have them for lunch the next day.

When you pull the turkey off of the slow cooker and shred it, it will be incredibly tender.

Oh goodness, that is some good stuff!

If you’re making these for New Year’s Eve dinner, which is usually served around lunchtime, you can put them in the slow cooker the night before and let them cook on low until you’re ready to serve.

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
  • You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. After thawing, reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
  • Feel free to swap out the turkey leg for one large ham hock.
  • You could also combine diced ham with cooked chicken thighs, kielbasa, or bacon.
  • Setting the slow cooker to high for five or six hours will hasten the process.
  • If you want to add more flavor, try adding two chicken broth cubes, which will mix in nicely with the water to make a tasty chicken broth. Add half of a chopped yellow onion and two minced cloves of garlic. For more heat, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Add a can of diced tomatoes. Replace the meat with more vegetables, like a cup of chopped carrots and celery and a diced bell pepper. Add the seasoning of your choice, such as a teaspoon of cumin, oregano, and Cajun seasoning.

Normally I would soak my black eyed peas. But since the dried beans in this crock pot recipe cook for a long time in the water in the slow cooker, there’s no need to soak them beforehand.

Usually, if you don’t soak peas before cooking they take longer to cook. However, this isn’t a problem because we’re slow-cooking them for a long time in this recipe.

Yes, you can overcook black eyed peas. You want to slow-cook them until they’re creamy but retain their shape.

Black eyed peas are relatively healthy. They’re a great source of protein and fiber, so keep you feeling fuller for longer. When paired with meat, this is a simple filling meal.

As a main course, serve your Southern-style black-eyed peas with a side of collard greens or turnip greens, steamed rice, mac and cheese, dinner rolls, and cornbread.

You may also enjoy these other bean-based dishes:

how to cook smoked turkey legs in a slow cooker

Store bought smoked Turkey legs in crockpot

FAQ

Are smoked turkey legs from the store already cooked?

The turkey legs are already safe to eat as they are pre cooked but taking them to 165°F ensures they are cooked through and hot. To keep the turkey leg moist, place a foil pan underneath with some chicken broth. As the chicken broth warms and starts to create steam, it will help the turkey from drying out.

How do you cook an already smoked turkey?

You can either reheat it, cook it from frozen, or cook it fresh. Reheating is the quickest and easiest way to cook a pre smoked turkey. Simply put the turkey in a baking dish and heat it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes per pound. If you are cooking it from frozen, you will need to thaw it first.

Can you overcook smoked turkey legs?

Even with a wet brine to help keep your smoked turkey legs moist and tender, you can still overcook turkey legs. It’s essential to continually check the temperature of the turkey legs every 30 minutes to ensure you don’t overcook them. Otherwise, they will turn tough and chewy.

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