Are you looking to use black-eyed peas in a recipe but can’t find them at the store? Not to worry.
While there’s no denying that black-eyed peas lend unique texture and flavor, there are a few excellent substitutes that can get you close in a pinch.
Whether you’re making chili or side dish for dinner, check out these five best alternatives to help keep your meal from being ruined.
From adzuki beans to chickpeas, discover which substitute is perfect for all types of cooking.
The 5 Best Substitutes for Black-Eyed Peas in Recipes
Fortunately, there are several options available to substitute black-eyed peas when they are unavailable or not desired in the dish.
It is important to keep in mind that some alternatives will closely resemble the texture, taste and nutrition of black-eyed peas while others will be completely different.
The following five substitutions are great alternatives for recipes calling for black-eyed peas:
1 – Purple Hull Peas
These legumes, also known as Southern peas, are one of the best plant-based substitutes for black-eyed peas.
They have a similar nutty flavor and creamy texture, so much so that if you’ve never tried purple hull peas before, you won’t be able to easily tell the difference from black-eyed ones.
They also come in several varieties – both cream-colored and dark purple colored – which allow for flexibility when it comes to matching the ingredients used in your recipe.
Plus, these pea varieties can be found in most grocery stores due to their widespread popularity in Southern cooking.
As with other pulsed replacements for black-eyed peas, the purple hull must be cooked prior to using them in recipes.
When cooking purple hull or any other type of Southern peas, it is important not to overcook them as they can become mushy and lose their nutty flavor due to excessive boiling or stewing time.
2 – Pinto Beans
Pinto beans are an excellent choice for substituting black-eyed peas in recipes.
They have similar nutritional benefits to black-eyed peas, like being high in protein, calcium, complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber.
They also have a mild flavor that takes well to a variety of spice combinations and their soft texture works great for mashed or refried dishes.
Pinto beans are often available in dried or canned form and work well as a substitute for most cooked dishes calling for black-eyed peas.
However, they should not be substituted if used uncooked, as this could alter the flavor and texture of your dish if not cooked properly.
3 – Lima Beans
Lima beans, or butter beans, are an excellent substitute for black-eyed peas in a variety of recipes.
Lima beans, like many legumes, are small and flavorful with a creamy texture and nutty flavor.
They contain an impressive amount of fiber and protein in comparison to many other legumes.
For this reason, many chefs use lima beans as a meat substitute in vegetarian dishes.
Lima beans generally come in two varieties– baby limas and large limas– which have different textures when cooked.
Baby limas tend to be slightly firmer than large limas, but both variants can work wonderfully as substitutes for black-eyed peas in recipes.
4 – Borlotti Beans
Borlotti beans, which are also known as cranberry beans, are the closest substitute for black-eyed peas in terms of culinary application.
The outer pods of Borlotti beans are light brown and red speckles, hence their other name.
The cooked beans retain their shape and feature a creamy texture with a strong flavor like Lima beans or fava beans.
When used in salads and dishes that require little cooking time, opt for canned Borlotti; otherwise purchase dried Borlotti and soak them overnight.
Perfect for soups and stews, they require the same amount of cooking time as black-eyed peas in order to become tender.
5 – Romano Beans
Romano beans, also known as Italian flat beans, are among the most popular substitution options for black-eyed peas.
They have a sweet flavor with hints of nuttiness that make them a great stand-in for black-eyed peas in recipes.
The beans have a narrower shape than black-eyed peas and they are slightly firmer in texture.
Romano beans are also an excellent source of fiber, along with essential nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron.
When cooking with Romano beans, it is important to note that the cooking time typically needs to be increased by about 10 minutes compared to the cooking time for black-eyed peas.
The 5 Best Substitutes for Black-Eyed Peas in Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 – Purple Hull Peas
- 2 – Pinto Beans
- 3 – Lima Beans
- 4 – Borlotti Beans
- 5 – Romano Beans
Instructions
- Choose your preferred substitute from the list of options.
- Organize all of your ingredients.
- Use the proper substitute to cook your recipes.