Black-eyed peas are a staple food in many Southern U.S. cuisine. They are commonly eaten on New Year’s Day for good luck, and are often served with rice and some type of meat. But with so many meat options available, what is the best pairing for delicious black-eyed peas?
Some key factors to consider when choosing a meat to serve with black-eyed peas are the flavor, texture, and cooking method. The peas have a robust, earthy flavor and soft texture, so meats that complement or contrast those qualities work well. Slow-cooked, stewed, or braised meats are ideal since black-eyed peas are usually prepared in a similar fashion.
In this article, we will explore the most popular and recommended meat options to serve with black-eyed peas, the pros and cons of each, and some serving suggestions. Read on to find the perfect protein to complement your black-eyed peas!
Pork
Pork is a classic choice to pair with black-eyed peas. The mild, slightly sweet flavor of pork makes an excellent counterpoint to the peas’ earthiness. Pork also has a relatively soft texture that matches well with the soft peas. Some popular pork options include:
Smoked Ham Hocks or Ham Bones: Simmered in the peas while they cook, ham hocks impart a lovely smoky flavor. The meat shreds off the bones when cooked slowly, blending right in with the peas.
Sausage: Spicy sausage links or patties add great flavor. Smoked andouille or chorizo give a kick. Milder Italian sausage also pairs nicely.
Pork Shoulder or Pork Belly: Braised or slow roasted pork shoulder or belly until fork tender and shredded or chopped makes a perfect topper for black-eyed peas. The unctuous, rich pork is so satisfying.
Bacon: Chopped, cooked bacon sprinkled on top gives a crunchy, salty contrast and lots of flavor.
The main downside of pork is that the dense, fatty cuts typically used can be heavy. But the richness can be offset by acidic, bright garnishes like scallions, hot sauce, or vinegar-based barbecue sauce.
Serving Suggestions
– Black-eyed peas with smoked ham hocks and hot sauce
– Red beans and rice with andouille sausage
– Bacon-topped Hoppin’ John (black-eyed peas and rice)
– Pulled pork shoulder over black-eyed peas and collard greens
Chicken
Chicken has a mild flavor and light texture that allows the flavor of the black-eyed peas to shine. It also cooks relatively quickly compared to other meats, matching the quick cooking time of peas. Chicken can be prepared in various ways to serve with black-eyed peas:
Roasted or Grilled Chicken: Bone-in chicken parts like thighs and drumsticks hold up especially well on the grill or roasted in the oven. The savoriness from charring or crisping the skin offers great texture and flavor contrast to the peas.
Stewed or Shredded Chicken: Simmered in the peas or shredded/chopped and added after cooking, chicken breast or thighs have a soft texture that blends right into the pot of peas.
Fried Chicken: For a more indulgent southern meal, fried chicken is hard to beat. The crunchy, juicy chicken with peas and rice is comfort food perfection.
The main cons with chicken are that it can dry out if overcooked, making it less flavorful and too dense in texture for the soft peas. As long as it’s properly cooked and seasoned, chicken makes an excellent partner for black-eyed peas.
Serving Suggestions:
– Oven roasted chicken legs with black-eyed peas and greens
– Chicken gumbo with black-eyed peas over rice
– Buttermilk fried chicken with Hoppin’ John
– Chicken and black-eyed pea stew
Beef
Hearty, savory beef is a satisfying match for black-eyed peas. Beef offers more robust, meaty flavor than chicken or pork. The dense, chewy texture stands up well to soft peas. Opt for well-marbled cuts and slower cooking methods.
Chuck Roast or Brisket: Braised or slow roasted chuck roast or brisket, shredded or chopped, gives incredible flavor and moisture to black-eyed peas.
Ground Beef: Browning ground beef to add crumbled to peas adds texture. Use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef for the best moisture and flavor.
Stew Meat: Simmered in the peas, bite-size stew meat chunks integrate nicely while lending beefy flavor.
Short Ribs: Similarly to chuck roast, short ribs that are browned then slowly braised result in meat so tender it shreds with a fork to combine with peas.
The main drawback with beef is it’s inherently chewy texture can seem too dense up against soft black-eyed peas. Slow cooking and cutting across the grain of the meat helps mitigate this. Bold southern-style seasonings also help balance the hearty beef flavor.
Serving Suggestions:
– Beef and black-eyed pea chili over rice
– Slow cooked short ribs with braised black-eyed peas
– Ground beef-studded Hoppin’ John
– Beef stew with black-eyed peas
Seafood
Seafood offers a lighter and more unique pairing for black-eyed peas. The briny flavor and tender, flaky texture contrasts nicely with the earthy peas. The quick cooking time for fish and shellfish also complements peas.
Shrimp: Sauteed, grilled, or simmered in the peas, plump shrimp cook quickly and blend well with black-eyed peas.
Crabmeat: Delicate crabmeat folded into peas adds sweetness and richness without overpowering their flavor.
Crawfish or Lobster: For special occasions, buttery lobster or crawfish sauce over peas is decadent. The sweet seafood pairs perfectly.
Cod or Catfish: Gentle white fish like cod or catfish hold up well cooked in the peas without drying out. Fried fish fillets also pair nicely.
The main issue with seafood and peas is overcooking, causing seafood to get rubbery or fishy. Properly cooked in ways that complement the peas leads to amazing flavor combinations.
Serving Suggestions:
– Sauteed shrimp with black-eyed pea rice
– New Orleans jambalaya with sausage, chicken and shrimp over black-eyed peas
– Stewed black-eyed peas with cod and tomato
– Simple boiled crawfish, corn on the cob, and black-eyed peas
Other Proteins
In addition to the most popular options above, other meats can also make tasty pairings with black-eyed peas. Consider these more unique proteins:
Turkey: Lean ground turkey or shredded roasted turkey works similarly to chicken. Turkey sausage or bacon also gives great flavor.
Game Meats: Hearty venison, boar, bison, or other game meats stand up well to black-eyed peas when slowly braised.
Lamb: The rich, savory flavor of lamb makes a nice contrast in dishes like curried black-eyed peas with lamb or lamb sausage and peas.
Plant-Based Proteins: Beans, lentils, tofu, and veggie crumbles can provide hearty protein and texture for vegetarian pairings.
Eggs: Boiled, fried, or poached eggs atop black-eyed peas provide an easy lean protein option.
The possibilities are endless! Mix and match different flavor profiles and textures to find your favorite meaty peas pairings.
Conclusion
When selecting the best meat to serve with black-eyed peas, consider the flavor, texture, and ideal cooking methods. Fattier, tender braised or roasted meats like pork shoulder or short ribs work wonderfully. Chicken or turkey provide lighter pairings, while seafood adds unique flavor. At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong surrounding humble black-eyed peas with any well-prepared protein. Slow cooking tenderizes meat and marries the flavors together into a cohesive, comforting dish. Add some spicy seasoning, leafy greens, and a side of cornbread or rice, and you have an amazing southern-inspired meal built around black-eyed peas.
Summary Table of Best Meat Pairings with Black-Eyed Peas
| Meat | Best Cuts or Types | Cooking Methods | Flavor Profile | Texture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pork | Ham hocks, sausage, pork shoulder/belly | Simmered, braised, roasted | Salty, smoky, rich, sweet | Tender, fatty |
| Chicken | Thighs, drumsticks, breast | Roasted, fried, simmered | Savory, mild | Tender, lean |
| Beef | Chuck roast, brisket, short ribs | Braised, roasted | Hearty, beefy, rich | Tender, fatty |
| Seafood | Shrimp, crab, crawfish, cod | Sauteed, grilled, simmered | Sweet, briny, buttery | Delicate, flaky |
Black-eyed peas have a versatile flavor and texture that pairs well with almost any protein. Their earthy flavor balances out richness and savory qualities of meats, while also contrasting light and sweet seafood. As long as you use moist cooking methods and well-matched cuts or types of meat, you’re sure to end up with a delicious match made in southern comfort food heaven.
References
Jones, B. (2021). What Goes With Black-Eyed Peas? 10 Tasty Pairings. Retrieved from https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-goes-with-black-eyed-peas-1808691
McClane, A. (2021). Hoppin’ John With Bacon and Kale. Retrieved from https://www.thespruceeats.com/hoppin-john-with-collard-greens-recipe-3014523
Mattock, L. (2022). 35 Tasty Black-Eyed Peas Recipes That Are Anything But Bland. Retrieved from https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/black-eyed-pea-recipes/
Townsend, K. (2019). 6 Ways to Make the Most of Black-Eyed Peas. Retrieved from https://www.eatingwell.com/article/7825611/black-eyed-peas-recipe-ideas/