Looking for a Black-Eyed Peas substitute? The best substitutes for Black-Eyed Peas, in my opinion, are Pinto Beans, Crowder Peas, Fresh Lima Beans, Barlotti Beans, Purple Hull Peas or Cannellini Beans. Now let’s look at this in a bit more detail.
What are Black Eyed Peas?
Black-eyed peas, also known as cowpeas, are a type of legume that is widely cultivated and consumed around the world. They are named for their distinctive appearance, with a small, cream-colored bean featuring a black or dark-colored “eye” on the inner curve. They come in fresh, dried or tinned varieties.
Black-eyed peas are native to Africa and have been an important food source in many African, Asian, and American cultures for centuries. They are particularly popular in Southern United States cuisine, where they are traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day for good luck and prosperity.
These peas are highly nutritious and rich in protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals. They are a good source of folate, iron, potassium, and vitamin A. Black-eyed peas are often cooked and used in a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, salads, and side dishes. They have a mild, slightly nutty flavor and a creamy texture when cooked.
In addition to their culinary uses, black-eyed peas are also grown as a cover crop to improve soil fertility, as they can fix nitrogen from the air into the soil. This makes them a valuable crop for sustainable agriculture.
Okay, before we look at your Black-eyed Peas substitute options, let’s deal with that empty cupboard situation!
Where can I buy Black-Eyed Peas?
If you want to be more prepared and ensure you don’t run out of Black-Eyed Peas then you should stock up now.
Nowadays most delicatessens and general supermarkets stock a wide variety of Black-Eyed Peas. Or if you prefer you can also purchase Black-Eyed Peas on-line. Here is a link for a large 4 lb bag of Black-Eyed Peas.
So why not jump on and place your order today.
STOCK UP NOW!
Dried Black-eyed Peas – 4lb bag
Large 4lb bag dried Black-eyed Peas.
100% natural product. Perfect for vegan and vegetarian diets. Earthy flavor with a soft/firm texture.
What can I substitute for Black-Eyed Peas?
Here are some of the best ingredients to substitute the flavor and role that black-eyed pease provide in your recipes.
- Pinto Beans
- Crowder Peas
- Fresh Lima Beans
- Barlotti Beans
- Purple Hull Peas
- Cannellini Beans
Black-Eyed Peas substitutes
Pinto Beans
Pinto beans can be used as a substitute for black-eyed beans in many recipes, although there are some differences in flavor and texture.
They have a nutty and earthy flavor, while black-eyed beans have a milder taste. The flavor difference may be noticeable in certain recipes, but it can still work well in dishes with bold flavors and seasonings.
They do have a slightly mealy texture and hold their shape well when cooked.
An easy way to tell them apart is pinto beans have a speckled appearance with reddish-brown markings, while black-eyed beans have a cream-colored background with a distinct black eye. If the appearance is crucial to the dish, keep in mind that pinto beans will look different.
When substituting pinto beans for black-eyed beans, consider the overall flavor and texture profile you desire in your dish. Pinto beans can be a suitable substitute in many recipes such as soups, stews, chili, and refried beans. However, the flavor and texture differences should be taken into account, and you may need to adjust the seasoning and cooking time accordingly.
Crowder Peas
Crowder peas are from the same family as black-eyed peas and cowpeas. This makes them an excellent substitute for black-eyed beans in many recipes. Both crowder peas and black-eyed beans belong to the cowpea family and share several similarities in flavor, texture, and culinary applications.
Crowder peas have a rich, earthy flavor similar to black-eyed beans, although they may have a slightly stronger taste. They have a creamy texture when cooked, which is also comparable to black-eyed beans. Crowder peas are commonly used in Southern cuisine and can be utilized in various dishes, including soups, stews, salads, and side dishes.
When substituting crowder peas for black-eyed beans, keep in mind that the visual appearance of the dish may differ slightly, as crowder peas have a slightly darker color and a more wrinkled appearance. The color of crowder peas can range from creamy white through to green, brown, purple or black. However, in terms of taste and texture, they can be used interchangeably in most recipes, resulting in a similar overall outcome.
If a recipe specifically calls for black-eyed beans and you’re using crowder peas as a substitute, you can expect a similar flavor and creamy texture. Adjust cooking times as needed, as crowder peas may require a slightly longer cooking period than black-eyed beans due to their denser texture.
Overall, crowder peas make a suitable substitute for black-eyed beans, allowing you to enjoy a comparable taste and texture in your dishes.
Fresh Lima Beans
Fresh lima beans can be used as a substitute for black-eyed beans in certain recipes, but there are some differences in flavor and texture that you need to think about.
Lima beans have a distinct flavor that is somewhat buttery and slightly sweet. Black-eyed beans, on the other hand, have a milder taste. Depending on the recipe, the difference in flavor may or may not be noticeable.
Fresh lima beans have a tender and creamy texture when cooked. Black-eyed beans have a firmer texture with a slight bite. If you prefer a softer texture in your dish, using fresh lima beans can be a good option.
Fresh lima beans typically require longer cooking times compared to black-eyed beans. Keep this in mind when substituting one for the other to ensure the beans are properly cooked in your recipe.
Fresh lima beans can be a suitable substitute in certain recipes like soups, stews, and casseroles, where their creaminess and buttery flavor can complement the other ingredients. However, in recipes where the mild flavor and firmer texture of black-eyed beans are crucial, the substitution may alter the intended outcome.
Borlotti Beans
Borlotti beans can be used as a substitute for black-eyed beans in many recipes. While they have some differences in flavor and texture, borlotti beans are a versatile legume that can work well in various dishes. They are also a suitable replacement as they take the same amount of time to be cooked.
Borlotti beans, also known as cranberry beans, have a mottled appearance with reddish-pink speckles on a cream-colored background. They have a slightly nutty flavor and a creamy texture when cooked. Borlotti beans are commonly used in Italian cuisine, particularly in dishes like soups, stews, salads, and pasta dishes.
When substituting borlotti beans for black-eyed beans, you may notice some variation in taste and texture. Black-eyed beans have a slightly sweeter and milder flavor compared to borlotti beans. Additionally, borlotti beans tend to have a creamier texture when cooked. However, in many recipes, especially those where the beans are combined with other ingredients, borlotti beans can be a suitable substitute.
If a recipe specifically calls for black-eyed beans and you’re using borlotti beans as a substitute, the color and appearance of the dish will be different, as the borlotti beans have their distinct speckled appearance. However, they can still provide a delicious and nutritious addition to your dishes.
Purple Hull Peas
Purple hull peas can be an excellent substitute for black-eyed peas, as they share many similarities in flavor, texture, and culinary applications. They are typically green when they are young and still in the pod. As they mature and ripen, the peas inside the pod turn a purplish color, while the pod itself remains green. The name “purple hull” refers to the color of the peas inside, not the color of the pods.
Purple hull peas, like black-eyed peas, are a type of cowpea and are commonly grown and consumed in the Southern United States. They have a mild, earthy flavor and a creamy texture when cooked. Purple hull peas are often used in traditional Southern dishes, including stews, soups, casseroles, and salads.
If a recipe specifically calls for black-eyed peas and you’re using purple hull peas as a substitute, remember the visual appearance will be different. However, the overall taste and texture should be quite similar. The color of the peas may impart a subtle tint to the dish, but it should not significantly affect the final outcome.
Cannellini Beans
Cannellini beans, also known as white kidney beans, can be used as a substitute for black-eyed peas in many recipes.
They are large, creamy white beans that are native to Italy. They have a mild, nutty flavor and a smooth, creamy texture when cooked. Like black-eyed peas, cannellini beans are also rich in protein, fiber, and nutrients such as iron and potassium.
When using cannellini beans as a substitute for black-eyed peas, you may notice a slight difference in taste and texture. However, they can be used interchangeably in many recipes, such as soups, stews, salads, and bean-based side dishes. Just keep in mind that the final result may have a slightly different flavor profile compared to the original recipe that calls for black-eyed peas.
If you’re specifically looking to replicate the appearance of black-eyed peas, you can try adding a small amount of black pepper or black sesame seeds to the cannellini beans to mimic the “eye” characteristic. This can provide a visual resemblance while still incorporating the cannellini beans into your desired recipe.
Summary for Black-Eyed Peas substitutes
Okay – that’s you all sorted with suitable substitutes for Black-Eyed Peas.
To summarize, here are some key points regarding the use of different beans as substitutes for black-eyed beans:
- Cannellini beans can be used as a substitute for black-eyed beans, although they have a slightly different flavor and texture. They work well in many recipes and can be used interchangeably.
- Purple hull peas are a close substitute for black-eyed beans, offering a similar taste and texture. The main difference is their appearance, but they can still be used effectively in various dishes.
- Borlotti beans can be used as a substitute for black-eyed beans, but they have their own distinct flavor and appearance. While they may not be an exact match, they can work well in certain recipes.
- Fresh lima beans can be used as a substitute for black-eyed beans, but they have a different flavor and texture. Consider the recipe and adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Crowder peas are an excellent substitute for black-eyed beans, with a similar flavor and texture. They can be used interchangeably in most recipes.
- Pinto beans can be used as a substitute for black-eyed beans, but they have a different flavor and texture. Consider the overall profile of the dish and adjust seasonings and cooking times as needed.
In all cases, it’s important to consider the specific recipe and adjust accordingly to achieve the desired taste and texture when substituting beans. And remember some of these alternatives listed above are also suitable substitutes for peas.
If you would like to learn about other ingredients you can swap out, why not head over to our Substitutes section?