Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas With Ham | Pressure Cooker Beans and Greens

Pour and cook Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas recipe cooks up fast and creamy. It's a fast way to make a dish that used to take all day on the stove!

I've lived in Texas for 30 years. In fact, I've lived longer here than I have in any other part of the world. Jobs, marriage, children, joint custody etc. all make it so I just stayed here, and I have very much come to appreciate life here.

Part of the life, of course, is the food in the South. Nothing is more Southern than Black Eyed Peas. Everyone has their own way of making it, but I wanted to share mine.

Why You'll Love This Southern Side Dish

• Hearty, comforting flavor with smoky ham, tender peas, and savory greens.
• High in protein and fiber, making it filling and satisfying as a full meal or side dish.
• Simple ingredients with big flavor, no complicated steps required.
• Fast-cooking in the Instant Pot, no overnight soaking needed for the peas.

This dish is warm, wholesome, economical, and deeply flavorful, everything comfort food should be.

What Are Beans and Greens?

It's a recipe comprised of exactly what it sounds like. A combination of dark greens (typically kale, spinach, or collard greens) and beans (cannellini beans, black-eyed peas, navy beans etc). It's a very simple recipe that's affordable and a big part of a tradition in the south.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 1 cup Dried Black Eyed Peas- The heart of the dish. They're creamy, earthy, and traditional. When pressure-cooked, they become tender and flavorful as they absorb seasoning and broth.
• 4 cups Collard Greens- Adds body, nutrients, and a slightly bitter, robust flavor that balances the richness of the peas and ham.
• 1 Onion- Builds the foundational savory flavor, becoming sweet and soft as it cooks into the broth.
• 6 cloves Garlic- Adds depth, aroma, and warm savory backbone throughout the dish.
• 2 Smoked Ham Hocks- Provide smoky richness, salt, and meaty flavor while also contributing tenderness and body to the broth.
• 1 teaspoon Salt- Enhances natural flavors and helps season the peas and greens as they soften.
• 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper- Adds warmth and mild heat, balancing the smokiness and richness of the dish.
• 2 cups Vegetable Stock- Supplies moisture for pressure cooking while adding seasoning and flavor. It's much richer than water alone.
• 1–2 teaspoons Red Pepper Flakes- Brings adjustable heat and brightness that cuts through the creaminess of the peas.
• 2 Bay Leaves- Add subtle herbal depth and classic Southern-style flavor, removed before serving.
• 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme- Earthy and aromatic, thyme enhances the greens, ham, and broth with traditional Southern seasoning.
• 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar- Brightens and sharpens the dish, cutting through richness and enhancing flavor once cooking is complete.
• 1–2 teaspoons Louisiana Hot Sauce- Adds tangy heat and Southern character while lifting the flavors at the end.
• 1 teaspoon Liquid Smoke- Provides smoky depth that mimics ham hock flavor, especially useful if making the dish without meat.

How To Make Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas With Ham And Greens?

1. Add Ingredients. Place all ingredients except finishing ingredients into the inner liner of your pressure cooker.
2. Cook. Set your Instant Pot at high pressure for 10 minutes.
3. Natural Release. Allow it to release pressure naturally for 10 minutes and then release all remaining pressure slowly. If it foams, let it sit for a few more minutes. 
4. Remove ham hocks. (Skip this step for vegan version) Using two forks, remove the skin and fat. Shred the meat and put it into the beans and stir well.
5. Add. Pour apple cider vinegar, liquid smoke, and hot sauce, and taste. Season to adjust.
6. Serve. Plate your Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas and Ham and enjoy.

Tips And Tricks

Cooking black eyed peas in the Instant Pot ensures tender beans, flavorful broth, and rich Southern-style comfort in a fraction of the traditional simmering time, and with a few simple tips, you can make this dish even better.

• No soaking needed. The pressure cooker softens dried peas beautifully without advance prep.
• Cut greens into bite-size pieces so they soften evenly and blend well with the peas.
• Sauté onions and garlic first for extra flavor, though this step is optional if you want a faster meal.

Variations

Make it once as this recipe calls for, and then go crazy with your own variations.

• Beans: Black eyed peas, Butter beans, navy bean, cranberry beans, cannellini beans
• Meats: smoked turkey wings, ham hocks, andouille sausage, bacon
• Greens: Collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens, kale, or mixed greens of whatever you have lying around
• Vegetables: Add tomatoes, especially for the vegan version to get some additional flavor

My version uses black-eyed peas and collard greens because that's what I had on hand.

How To Make This Recipe Vegan

• Skip the meat. I know this is obvious, but I have to include it.
• Increase the liquid smoke. This will help increase the flavor in the dish since you removed the meat.
• Add some tomatoes. This makes it a more hearty dish. Plus tomatoes pair beautifully with black eyed peas.

What To Eat With Black Eyed Peas With Ham

This hearty Southern classic pairs beautifully with comforting sides, warm breads, and fresh accents that help balance its smoky, savory richness. These serving ideas work whether you’re enjoying it as a New Year's tradition or a cozy weeknight meal.

• Cornbread or Skillet Cornbread- Slightly sweet, hearty, and perfect for soaking up every drop of broth.
• Buttermilk Biscuits- Soft, buttery layers make an ideal companion to the creamy peas and greens.
• Rice or Seasoned Dirty Rice- Stretch the meal further and spoon peas directly over the top.
• Mashed Potatoes or Garlic Mash- Velvety mash offers a smooth contrast to hearty peas.

Can I Make Pressure Cooker Black Eyed Peas With Ham In Advance?

Absolutely. Some people will ONLY make them this way. This is because the flavors in the black eyed pea recipe marry in the fridge and get better over time. Making them a day or two before your meal will only make them better. So, go for it.

Can You Freeze Them?

Yes, you can freeze Instant Pot black eyed peas with ham and greens, and they hold up wonderfully for future meals. Allow the dish to cool completely, then transfer it, broth and all, into a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, leaving a little space for expansion.

The peas, greens, and ham maintain their texture well once frozen, and having some of the cooking liquid stored with them prevents dryness during reheating.

Properly stored, they will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 2–3 months. When you're ready to serve them again, simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until hot and tender.

More Instant Pot Recipes?

• Texas Caviar - this is a dish that Texans love - and for good reason.
• Green Beans and Bacon - the Instant Pot makes this dish SO easy.
• Instant Pot Tex-Mex Chili - this chili is so good it's won chili cook-offs.
• Kenyan Kunde- a filling Vegan Instant Pot recipe.
• Vegetarian Black Eyed Peas Recipe- a great Vegetarian meal.
• Butter Chicken- my most famous recipe.
• Instant Pot Iced Tea- you'll never make it any other way.

I can't wait for you to try this classic Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas recipe. Once you get comfortable with the base recipe, you can start making your own variations to love! If you love it as much as I do, share it with your friends on Facebook and Pin it to make again later.

Don't forget to check out my other Best-selling Instant Pot Cookbooks!

Indian Instant Pot, Keto Instant Pot, Instant Pot Fast and Easy, Healthy Instant Pot & Vegetarian Instant Pot.