Greek Style Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas (Printable version)

Hearty Mediterranean black-eyed peas slowly simmered with vegetables and aromatic herbs for a comforting, satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Legumes

01 - 2 cups dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and picked over

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 carrots, diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

→ Liquids

08 - 4 cups vegetable broth
09 - ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil

→ Herbs & Spices

10 - 2 teaspoons dried oregano
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin, optional
13 - 1 bay leaf
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

15 - Chopped fresh parsley
16 - Crumbled feta cheese, optional
17 - Lemon wedges

# Directions:

01 - Place black-eyed peas, onion, garlic, carrots, and red bell pepper into the slow cooker.
02 - Add diced tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, vegetable broth, olive oil, oregano, paprika, cumin if using, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
03 - Cover and cook on low setting for 6 to 7 hours until black-eyed peas are tender and flavors are well developed.
04 - Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
05 - Serve hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley, crumbled feta cheese if desired, and lemon wedges.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Your slow cooker does the heavy lifting while you go about your day, no stirring required.
  • One pot means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor development over hours.
  • Naturally vegan and gluten-free without sacrificing richness or satisfaction.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing and picking through the dried peas because even one grit between your teeth ruins the entire experience.
  • The bay leaf must come out before serving, and marking your slow cooker with a note helps prevent the inevitable search through bowls of peas later.
  • Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon at the end is not optional if you want the flavors to sing like they should.
03 -
  • Toast your spices in a dry skillet for thirty seconds before adding them to wake up their flavors and make the whole dish taste more intentional.
  • If you forget to soak your peas overnight, don't panic; slow cooking will still soften them, just add fifteen minutes to the cooking time.
  • Keep lemon wedges nearby when serving because the bright acidity transforms the dish from good to unforgettable with one small squeeze.
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