Crock-Pot Black-Eyed Peas Smoked Turkey (Printable)

Hearty black-eyed peas simmer slowly with smoky turkey for tender, flavorful Southern comfort food.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beans & Legumes

01 - 1 pound dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and sorted

→ Meats

02 - 1 smoked turkey leg, approximately 1 pound

→ Pantry

03 - 6 cups water
04 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
05 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

# How To Make It:

01 - Rinse and sort the dried black-eyed peas thoroughly, discarding any debris or discolored beans.
02 - Place the prepared peas in the slow cooker, then nestle the smoked turkey leg on top of the peas.
03 - Pour 6 cups of water over the peas and turkey leg, then season with salt and black pepper.
04 - Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours, or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours, until the peas are tender and creamy.
05 - Remove the turkey leg from the slow cooker, then shred the meat while discarding the skin and bones. Return the shredded meat to the cooker.
06 - Stir the mixture well, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve the dish hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's practically hands-off once everything hits the slow cooker, leaving you free to tackle the rest of your day.
  • One smoked turkey leg unlocks this deep, smoky flavor that makes people ask what your secret ingredient is.
  • The peas become so creamy and tender they almost melt on your tongue, without any fancy techniques or fussy ingredients.
02 -
  • Don't skip the rinsing and sorting step—I once tried to save time and regretted it immediately when someone's spoon hit something rock-hard.
  • The peas should be tender enough to break with gentle pressure, not mushy; trust your instincts and check them around the 6-hour mark if you're using LOW.
03 -
  • Don't feel pressure to cook on LOW if your schedule demands HIGH; the result is still delicious, just slightly less intense in flavor.
  • If your peas finish cooking before you're ready to eat, just leave the slow cooker on WARM—they'll stay perfect for hours without drying out or falling apart.
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