Smoky Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas & Greens (Vegan)

Happy New Year, friends! What better way to kick off a new year than with a big bowl of Black Eyed Peas & Greens? Not only is it incredibly delicious, but this dish is also believed to bring good luck and prosperity, and we could all use a little more of that in our lives.

This plant-based version is incredibly comforting and delicious. Plus, it’s quick and easy to make with a little help from the Instant Pot.

Collard greens, black eyed peas, vegetable broth, bell pepper, onion, bay leaves, garlic, coconut aminos, and spices

History of Black Eyed Peas & Greens

Black eyed peas (also called cowpeas) are native to West Africa. And they’ve been enjoyed for centuries as a symbol of good luck for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Black eyed peas have been grown in the Southern US since at least the 18th century.

The tradition of serving black eyed peas with greens on New Year’s Day is believed to have originated in the Southern US. The black eyed peas are thought to represent good luck and the greens to represent money or prosperity. You can learn more about the history of black eyed peas and greens here and here.

Our version is not traditional, but is a plant-based take on the concept. Find a more traditional preparation for Southern black eyed peas and greens from Immaculate Bites.

Bowl of black eyed peas next to an Instant Pot of sautéed onion and bell pepper

Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas & Greens

As we shared in our Instant Pot Guide, the ability to make perfectly cooked beans (quickly!) is one of the major advantages of the Instant Pot.

Black eyed peas have become one of our favorites because they turn out tender and buttery and cook in just 15-17 minutes (no soaking required!). They’re also packed with nutrients such as folate, calcium, iron, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc, and so much more. And when paired with collard greens — woah, hello nutrition goals!

To make this dish equally as flavorful as it is nutritious, we started with sautéing onion, bell pepper, and garlic as the flavor base. Then vegetable broth is used to maximize flavor, bay leaves add earthiness, and cayenne adds heat.

For a smoky, bacon-y element, we went with both smoked paprika and liquid smoke. And for the salty element, we used both coconut aminos and sea salt. Black pepper adds a final spicy touch!

Instant Pot with black eyed peas, broth, and seasonings

We hope you LOVE these black eyed peas & greens! They’re:

Comforting
Quick & easy
SUPER flavorful
Smoky
Subtly spiced
Versatile
& SO delicious!

It’s the perfect dish to serve for New Year’s Day, especially with rice, cornbread, or a baked sweet potato! But it’s also equally delicious any day of the year and would be great for meal prep, easy weeknight dinners, and beyond!