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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.
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
Looks delicious, Jenn! I love black-eyed peas salad for New Year’s.
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Amy! We have them every year!
valentina says
Who doesn’t want a lucky food that’s also delicious!? YUM!
Jenn S. says
Right?! Thanks, Valentina!
Taylor Kiser says
I love everything about this salad! Such a great idea for the New Year party menu!
Jenn S. says
Nothing says party like a lucky salad! HaHa! At least at my house! 🙂 Thanks, Taylor.
Lindsay Cotter says
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. says
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 says
I always have black-eyed peas on New Year’s day. I love that you’ve worked them into a salad.
Jenn S. says
We do too…usually in stew or sauce form. This will be a nice change. Thanks, Dianne!
Emily Kyle says
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. says
Thanks, Emily! I agree. It’s a nice change from all the heavier “creamy” things we eat!
Megan says
I need and want this salad in my life! I could eat it for lunch everyday!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Megan! It would make a perfect lunch!
Mandy says
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. says
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 says
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. says
Thank you, Elizabeth! I don’t know why we don’t think of them at other times of the year!
Susie SuzLyfe says
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. says
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 says
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. says
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 says
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. says
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 says
This is such a fun twist on the usual New Year’s Day food!
Jenn S. says
Thanks, Becky!
Sarah | Well and Full says
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. says
Thank you, Sarah! Beans are always a good choice…makes it heartier and more satisfying too.
Vivian | stayaliveandcooking says
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. says
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!