Black Eyed Pea Salad
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
Deliciously fresh and seductively smoky, the flavor and varied textures in this phenomenal Southern-style Black Eyed Pea Salad recipe will wow your taste buds! Quick and easy to make, serve it as a side or enjoy it as a salsa with chips!

Southern Black-Eyed Pea Salad
The South has a tradition that goes back to the mid-19th century that says black-eyed peas bring good luck. Specifically, they bring good luck if they’re eaten on New Year’s Day. Now I realize I’m a few months late in the good luck game, but if the luck-bringing powers of the black-eyed pea work on a prorated basis, there should still be a little left to go around. In any case you have everything to win by making this delicious Southern Black Eyed Pea Salad!
Black-eyed peas have always been a favorite of mine; they have a flavor unlike any other legume. Today I’m featuring the black eyed pea in a delicious Southern-style salad that takes just minutes to prepare. The beans and chopped vegetables are allowed to marinate in a wonderfully smoky-spicy vinaigrette and enjoyed cold. It’s a perfect make-ahead dish and is easy to transport to your next barbecue, picnic or potluck. This is a salad that I look forward to every summer. I also made another variation with Southern grains that you might like, my Sorghum & Black Eyed Pea Salad.
Black Eyed Pea Salad Recipe
Let’s get started!
Place the beans, corn and chopped vegetables in a large mixing bowl.
Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients. (The smoked paprika in this salad rocks!)
Pour the vinaigrette over the salad, stir to coat, cover and refrigerate for at least two or more hours before serving, giving it an occasionally stir.
This black-eyed pea salad can be served chilled or at room temperature.
Enjoy!
Serving & Storage
Serve this chilled or at room temperature with a protein of your choice (it’s great with grilled or Barbecue Chicken, pork chops or Barbecue Ribs, hamburgers, kebabs, etc), with some Skillet Cornbread or Cornbread Muffins or enjoy it on its own as a light lunch. I also love eating it with corn chips – just scoop the salad up like salsa, it’s so good!
This will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it a great make-ahead dish and easy to transport.
For more favorite summer side dishes try my:
- Baked Beans
- Skillet Cornbread
- Creamy Coleslaw
- Freezer Slaw
- Macaroni Salad
- Pea Salad
- Potato Salad
- Broccoli Salad
- Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Salad
- Chicken Salad
Save This Recipe
Black Eyed Pea Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked black eyed peas (about two 15 ounce cans, rinsed and drained)
- 1 cup corn
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 2 Roma tomatoes , seeded and diced
- 1 cup cucumber , seeded and diced
- 3 green onions , chopped
- For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- juice of 1 lime
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- a few dashes of hot sauce , according to heat preference
Instructions
- Combine the beans and vegetables in a large bowl. Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients and pour over the mixture. Stir to combine. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. Enjoy as a salad, side dish or as a salsa with corn chips.
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet Jun 8, 2016
Most excellent. Instead of hot sauce I added a little ‘Slap Yo Mama’ seasoning and substituted shallots for the red onion.
Fantastic, thank you so much Steve, I’m happy that you enjoyed it!
I made this recipe for 4th of July! Everyone loved it and it was great to have a healthy, chilled salad on such a hot day! Will definitely make it again!
That’s wonderful, Bonnie, I’m so glad it was a hit, thank you so much for the feedback!
I made this with chickpeas and white haricot beans instead of blackeyed as I didn’t have any. It was great, and will be a favourite from now on I think
Fantastic, Steve, thanks so much for the feedback and I’m thrilled you enjoyed it!
Made this today! Omitted the corn, replaced the sugar with maple syrup, added some garlic powder and freshly chopped cilantro. Delicious! Planning on mixing with some spring greens and quinoa for dinner tonight! Also – I didn’t have any lime on hand so squeezed the juice from one clementine orange and still got that citrusy (just not tangy) flavor. Thank you again for the recipe!
Awesome, April, I’m glad you enjoyed it and were able to adapt it to your taste – thanks for the feedback!