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Black Eyed Peas Salad – start off the New Year with good health and a lucky streak thanks to black eyed peas and leafy greens – both traditionally considered “lucky” foods.
This year is flying by! I feel like Halloween was just a few weeks ago, not to mention Thanksgiving. Now we are fast approaching Christmas. I’m starting to get stressed out because I’m not done with my shopping yet and I still have to wrap EVERYthing. Sitting in front of me right now is a box full of our holiday cards that desperately need my attention. If I’m lucky our family and friends will receive them before the new year!
Speaking of the New Year, are you making any resolutions? I plan to refocus on clean whole food eating and lay off the sweets for awhile (so many sweets I’ve been enjoying!). You all can remind me of this resolution when I try to post another cookie recipe mid January (it’s bound to happen). 🙂 But for now, we are starting off on the right foot with this Black Eyed Pea Salad.
New Year’s food traditions are popular all over the world and one thing’s for sure – we all want to be healthy and wealthy. Eating certain foods on New Year’s Day is said to bring good luck in these areas of life. Hard work and perseverance is great and all, but a little luck never hurt anyone, right?
Lucky for you (see what I did there?) I’ve packed this salad with all things healthy and a little luck, too, by way of black eyed peas and leafy greens. Paired with a tangy, smoky sweet dressing that is downright drinkable, this Black Eyed Pea Salad is sure to get your New Year off to a good start.
Black eyed peas are full of protein, fiber, potassium, iron, and folate.
Legumes, which includes black eyed peas, represent money. “Their small, seedlike appearance resembles coins that swell when cooked so they are consumed with financial rewards in mind.” In the United States, black eyed peas are traditionally eaten in a dish called Hoppin’ John, which is basically a stew. Today, though, we are going for light and fresh.
In my black eyed pea salad, I’m using kale, chard and spinach. I know many people don’t like the hearty, tough texture of kale and chard. You have to cut the greens from the stems and massage them a bit with dressing to soften them up. I’m not messing with any of that today – we are using a mix of baby greens instead. Trader Joe’s sells a package of Organic Power to the Greens that is perfect for this.
These dark leafy greens are rich in vitamins K, A, C, B’s and E, fiber, calcium, iron, folate, magnesium, potassium, and even protein and healthy fats. Some studies have shown that baby greens have more nutrient density than the mature versions of themselves, although the jury is technically still out on that. Either way, you need to be eatin’ your greens and I suggest you start with this Black Eyed Pea Salad!
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment below with your feedback.
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Black Eyed Peas Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 2 cups cooked black eyed peas (either canned or dried beans previously cooked*)
- 1 sweet bell pepper (diced) (I used red)
- pint of cherry tomatoes (halved) (or quartered if they are on the bigger side)
- ½ large cucumber (diced)
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 5-6 cups baby greens (I used kale, chard and spinach)
For the Dressing**
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- dash or two of liquid smoke (optional)
- salt/pepper to taste
Instructions
- Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside
- Assemble all of the salad ingredients in a large bowl and to well.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well when ready to serve. Alternately, plate the salads and pass the dressing at the table so everyone can take as little or as much as they want.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.
CarolK says
This salad was fantastic for our NewYears Day family gathering of 12. Doubled the recipe and decreased the Maple syrup a bit, used fresh corn and a bit of crunchy romaine with the baby power greens. Not a bite left,and everyone asked for the recipe. Thanks Jenn!
Jenn S. says
That is so awesome to hear, Carol! Thank you! Happy New Year!!
Mel says
This salad looks seriously awesome. All my favourite things and flavours and at this time of year when the food around is so rich and often unhealthy, I find my self craving health, nutritious meals like this.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Mel! I agree!
Melissa | Vegan Huggs says
This salad looks so hearty & healthy! I love black eyed peas, and I had no idea they were considered lucky on NYE. I will be making a big salad this year, because I could use all the luck I can get 😉
Jenn S. says
Yes, very luck so eat up! 🙂 Thanks, Melissa!
Sarah says
My mom’s dad was from Mississippi and they always had black eyed peas and other beans for the New Year! As for those presents that need wrapping—we do them ALL on Christmas Eve while watching junky Christmas movies and drinking eggnog martinis 🙂 Good luck 😉
Jenn S. says
You wrap ALL of your presents on Christmas Eve? I couldn’t handle the stress of waiting until the last minute like that. I would for sure need a double martini!! 🙂
Sharon says
I never knew that black eyed peas and green are considered ‘lucky foods’. That’s lucky for me as I love both! 😀
Your salad will be perfect for January when I get ‘back on the waggon’ of healthy eating. There are just too many mince pies being offered around at the moment and I can’t resist, especially when friends/family have specifically made a batch of ‘vegan friendly’ pies 😉
Jenn S. says
Oh, I totally understand. I plan to enjoy during the holidays too! It doesn’t happen all the time, so why not, right?! Enjoy this salad in the New Year! Thanks, Sharon!
Mary Ellen - VNutrition says
I read this as baby “powder” greens – like over and over again and I don’t know why. I finally figured it out lol.
This looks amazing! I think we could all use a little luck in the new year!
Jenn S. says
Oh, gosh. Well, I wouldn’t put it past to make a spelling error. It wouldn’t be the first time. LOL! So, glad I didn’t though. Baby powder green would be a whole other thing entirely. 🙂 Thanks, Mary Ellen!
Laura says
What a healthy salad idea! Love it!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Laura!
Ginny McMeans says
I love love love black eyed peas and now I can have them in a salad. Thank you!
Jenn S. says
Yay! They are so good, aren’t they?! Enjoy, Ginny!
Alisa Fleming says
I haven’t decided on any resolutions yet, but I think my new year needs to involve this salad. I don’t know if I’ve ever had black-eyed peas and I could use the luck!
Jenn S. says
Never? Definitely time to try them out! Thanks, Alisa!
Running in a Skirt says
I’m such a fan of the Black Eyed Peas and greens for New Years! Your version looks perfect.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Julie! Crossing my fingers for some luck next year!
Cadry says
I have no doubt that a salad like this would bring me some luck. My mouth would be the luckiest! 😀
Jenn S. says
HaHa, yes indeed!
Rebecca - Strength and Sunshine says
I always have my black eyed peas for the new year! It’s a tradition! (And pomegranate!)
Jenn S. says
Yes, pomegranates too…though sadly I rarely buy them. Not sure why. Need to remedy that.
Meeta says
I adore Black Eyed peas but I have to admit I would never have thought of using them in a salad. This looks really great and I think I need to try it our.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Meeta. I hope you love them this way too!
Elizabeth says
This looks delicious! I’ve heard of black eyed peas for luck, but I admit I’ve never made them myself. After the hot mess that is 2016, I think we could use all the luck we can get in the new year! 🙂
Jenn S. says
Oh my gosh, I know. What is going on these days? AND to make matters worse, I feel down my stairs an hour ago and banged up my tailbone, shoulder and elbow. I’m ready for 2017 asap!
Luci's Morsels says
I always thought that black eyed peas were boring because they are traditionally served by themselves as a side dish. Now adding them to a salad – that is way more interesting to my palate! I bet they help give this salad some staying power with the extra carbs and fiber. I’m eager to try this out for lunch soon!
Jenn S. says
I love black eyed peas on their own too, actually. But, if you don’t, I bet you would love them this way with all the other flavors mingling. Thanks, Luci!