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Start off the New Year with good health and a lucky streak thanks to black eyed peas and leafy greens in this easy Black Eyed Peas Salad! A few diced vegetables and a sweet and smoky dressing brings it all together.
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New Year’s food traditions are popular all over the world. In the United States, black eyed peas, symbolizing coins, are said to bring good luck and prosperity if eaten on New Year’s Day. They are traditionally eaten in a dish called Hoppin’ John, which is basically a stew. With this salad, though, we are going for light and fresh.
I’ve packed this salad with all things healthy and a little luck, too, by way of black eyed peas and leafy greens (which symbolize money are are also said to bring good luck and wealth). Paired with a tangy, sweet and smoky dressing that is downright drinkable, this Black Eyed Peas Salad is sure to get your New Year off to a good start.
Ingredients you need
Ingredient notes and substitutions
Black eyed peas ~ Black eyed peas, or black eyed beans or cowpeas as they are sometimes called, are tender and creamy like white beans with a nutty, earthy, and slightly sweet taste. They are one of my favorite beans, though admittedly I don’t use them often enough!
I used canned for convenience, but you can cook your own from scratch if you prefer.
Be sure to try my Black Eyed Peas Pasta and Black Eyed Peas Soup, too!
Vegetables ~ Grape tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and corn are the perfect complements to the black eyed peas. Feel free to use your favorite veggies, like diced celery, diced zucchini, diced red onion, sliced radishes for a peppery bite, shredded carrots, etc. Fresh herbs would be great, too, like fresh parsley or cilantro.
Leafy greens ~ Leafy greens are always a good idea. They are so nutritious! I like to use baby greens because they’re tender and don’t need to be chopped. Use your favorite greens or leave them out if you prefer. This salad is great with just the beans and veggies, too.
Dressing ~ The oil-free salad dressing is tangy, sweet, and smoky. It’s a great match for the chosen salad ingredients.
How to make the recipe
Please scroll down to the recipe card for exact ingredient measurements and instructions.
- Step 1: Whisk all the dressing ingredients in a large bowl.
- Step 2: Add the black eyed peas and vegetables. Toss to coat evenly in the dressing.
- Step 3: Just before serving, add the leafy greens.
- Step 4: Toss all the salad ingredients together and serve immediately.
Serving suggestions
This salad with black-eyed peas is a complete meal on its own. It will serve about 4 as a main dish, but 6 or more as a side dish.
To stretch the meal further, try serving it…
With a side of: jalapeño cornbread, sweet maple cornbread, or vegan garlic bread.
On the side of: roasted cauliflower steaks, vegan chicken cutlets, smoky tempeh bacon, or baked tofu.
Storage
Meal prep: The salad dressing can be made 2 to 3 days in advance. You can also mix the dressing with the black eyed peas and vegetables, except the leafy greens, a day ahead of time. Mix in the leafy greens just before serving.
Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Once the leafy greens are mixed in, they will wilt within a day or two. If you can, store the greens separate from the rest of the salad.
Freezer: This black eyed pea salad without the greens can be frozen for up to 3 months. Please note: the texture will be slightly softer once thawed.
Pro tips and tricks
~ Use canned black eyed peas to make this salad quickly and easily. Be sure to drain them and rinse them well before adding to the salad.
~If cooking the black eyed peas from scratch, I like to cook them in and Instant Pot. Add enough water to cover the beans. Cook on manual for 17 minutes with a 10 minute release.
~ Swap out the vegetables for the ones you like best. Add extra beans or veggies if you wish. You can skip the greens altogether and make this a strictly bean and veggie salad instead.
~ For a stronger flavor, mix the black eyed peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, corn, and dressing and let it marinade in the fridge overnight.
~ Stir in the leafy greens just before serving.
~ This dressing is so good! You might want to make a double batch and store leftovers in the fridge. Use it on salads or for drizzling over grains or roasted vegetables.
More vegan bean salad recipes
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you tried it, please use the star rating system in the recipe card and leave a comment with your feedback. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
For even more easy family recipes, be sure to check out my cookbook, The Meatless Monday Family Cookbook!
Black Eyed Peas Salad
Ingredients
For the Black Eyed Peas Salad
- 1 can (15 oz)black eyed peas drained and rinsed (or 1 ½ cups cooked black eyed peas
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved (or quartered if they are on the bigger side)
- ½ English cucumber diced
- 1 cup fresh or thawed frozen corn kernels
- 5-6 cups baby greens I used a mix of kale, chard and spinach
For the Dressing
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
- dash or two of liquid smoke optional
Instructions
- Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the black eyed peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and corn. Toss well to evenly coat.
- Add the leafy greens and toss to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, as necessary, adding more salt and/or pepper.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
Looks delicious, Jenn! I love black-eyed peas salad for New Year’s.
Jenn S.
Thanks, Amy! We have them every year!
valentina
Who doesn’t want a lucky food that’s also delicious!? YUM!
Jenn S.
Right?! Thanks, Valentina!
Taylor Kiser
I love everything about this salad! Such a great idea for the New Year party menu!
Jenn S.
Nothing says party like a lucky salad! HaHa! At least at my house! 🙂 Thanks, Taylor.
Lindsay Cotter
So hard to believe the New Year is almost here! This salad is a great way to start the New Year! I love all the veggies, those black-eyed peas, and that dressing sounds perfect! Looking forward to having this salad!
Jenn S.
It’s crazy how fast this year went! At least it gives me hope that winter will be over before I know it. 🙂 Thanks, Lindsay!
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen
I always have black-eyed peas on New Year’s day. I love that you’ve worked them into a salad.
Jenn S.
We do too…usually in stew or sauce form. This will be a nice change. Thanks, Dianne!
Emily Kyle
I love these fresh baby salad greens! I really enjoy a fresh salad like this in the winter when its too easy to skip fresh options!
Jenn S.
Thanks, Emily! I agree. It’s a nice change from all the heavier “creamy” things we eat!
Megan
I need and want this salad in my life! I could eat it for lunch everyday!
Jenn S.
Thanks, Megan! It would make a perfect lunch!
Mandy
I love that green mix from Trader Joe’s!!! So convenient, isn’t it?? This salad is so colorful and I knew people associated black eyed peas with the New Year, but I had no idea that legumes represented money – I learned something new! And this dressing sounds wonderful – I love how light this salad looks – perfect for the New Year and a healthy start. Haha!! I managed to get our holiday cards out, but I’m staring at a stack of packages that need to still go out to our nieces and nephews…I’m a big fan of extending the celebration 😉
Jenn S.
Mandy, you will love this dressing! I know you love the smoky flavors too and I was seriously ready to drink this stuff! Not sure if you can have maple syrup these days, but I’m sure another sweetener would work if you have one you like. I finally got my envelopes addressed today, but still have to actually put the cards inside and buy stamps. Oi!
Elizabeth
I love how creative this is! I haven’t had black eyed peas in a while, you make me want to pick some up!
Jenn S.
Thank you, Elizabeth! I don’t know why we don’t think of them at other times of the year!
Susie SuzLyfe
I’m from Georgia, so you know that I grew up with black eyed peas! There even used to be a restaurant down the street from me with that name! They were never my favorite, but I’ve not had them in a long time–I should try them again!
Jenn S.
Well, when something is available in over-abundance, it sometimes becomes that which we do NOT like. HaHa! I totally understand. I feel that way about sauerkraut (Polish family!). Anyway, you could totally use a different bean if you’re not down with the “peas.” Black beans or kidney beans or even pinto beans would be great. Thanks, Susie!
Kat
I totally don’t think that I’ve ever had black eyed peas before, which is weird considering how much I love both beans AND peas. You’d think I would’ve tried them by now 😉 This salad looks beautiful and sounds amazing!
Jenn S.
Thanks, Kat! You would love them! I even like black eyed peas cooked straight up, no seasoning. They are so good! I hope you give it a try!
amanda -runtothefinish
Confession…I’ve never actually had black eyed peas even though I know they are supposed to be good luck! maybe this is the recipe to finally get me to do it!
Jenn S.
You should definitely try them! I even love them plain…I have a hard time not snacking on all of them while waiting to add them to the recipe. 🙂 Let me know if you give them a try!
Becky Striepe
This is such a fun twist on the usual New Year’s Day food!
Jenn S.
Thanks, Becky!
Sarah | Well and Full
I always add beans to my salad, it adds such a nice texture, not to mention protein and fiber! I love your take on this salad 🙂
Jenn S.
Thank you, Sarah! Beans are always a good choice…makes it heartier and more satisfying too.
Vivian | stayaliveandcooking
Same for me: focusing on clean and healthy eating sounds like a great idea! I ask want to apply this to the rest of my life, worry less and focus on the good things. This salad looks delicious, I didn’t know these were lucky foods!
Jenn S.
Great idea, Vivian, to apply it to the rest of our lives too! I definitely need to work on that! I hope you love this salad. Enjoy!