Best 6 Southern Cream Peas Recipes

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In the realm of classic Southern cooking, few dishes evoke the warmth and comfort of creamy peas. Often served alongside fried chicken, ham, or smothered pork chops, these tender peas simmered in a velvety sauce are a true delight for the senses. Our curated collection of Southern cream peas recipes offers a range of options to suit every taste, from traditional to modern variations.

From the classic Southern Cream Peas, featuring fresh or frozen peas enveloped in a creamy sauce made with butter, flour, and milk, to the more indulgent Country Ham Cream Peas, where salty ham hocks infuse the peas with smoky flavor, our recipes cater to diverse preferences. For a touch of spice, try the Creole Cream Peas, where a hint of cayenne pepper adds a subtle kick, or the Roasted Red Pepper Cream Peas, where roasted red peppers impart a vibrant color and smoky sweetness.

For those seeking a lighter option, the Skillet Cream Peas are a quick and easy dish that utilizes frozen peas and canned cream of mushroom soup for a creamy, flavorful sauce. And if you're looking for a unique twist on this classic dish, the Cheddar Cheese Cream Peas introduce a cheesy element that's sure to please the whole family.

Each recipe includes detailed instructions and helpful tips to ensure that you create the most delectable Southern cream peas. Whether you prefer the simplicity of the classic recipe or are looking to explore more adventurous variations, our collection has something for every home cook and Southern food enthusiast.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

CREAMED PEAS



Creamed Peas image

An old-fashioned, easy side dish recipe that's ready in just 10 minutes!

Provided by Blair Lonergan

Categories     Side Dish

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (10 ounce) package frozen peas, thawed or about 2 cups canned peas, drained
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup whole milk, half-and-half, or heavy cream

Steps:

  • Cook peas according to package instructions. Drain and transfer to a bowl.
  • Meanwhile, in a saucepan or small skillet, melt butter over low heat. Whisk in flour, salt, and pepper until blended. Cook, whisking constantly, for 1 minute.
  • Gradually add cream, stirring for 1-2 minutes (or until thickened).
  • Stir in the peas; gently toss to coat in the cream sauce.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 /4 of the recipe, Calories 105.1 kcal, Carbohydrate 12.5 g, Protein 4.8 g, Fat 4.1 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Cholesterol 11.5 mg, Sodium 235 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 4.9 g, UnsaturatedFat 1.3 g

SOUTHERN STYLE LADY CREAM PEAS



Southern Style Lady Cream Peas image

Lady cream peas, seasoned with smoked meat, onion, garlic and fresh herbs, pictured here with a side of my buttermilk sour cream cornbread and broiled chicken.

Provided by Deep South Dish

Categories     Main Dish, Side Dish, Beans

Number Of Ingredients 12

1-pound dried lady cream peas, soaked overnight
1/4 pound pork tasso or smoked ham, chopped
10 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh basil, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped
2 bay leaves
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • Soak beans overnight to speed the cooking process.
  • Rinse and sort the peas and add to a Dutch oven or soup pot. Add the tasso or smoked ham and the water; bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour.
  • In a separate skillet, sauté the onion in the butter until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook another minute.
  • Transfer the skillet contents, including all of the drippings, to the bean pot.
  • Add all of the seasonings, except for the salt and pepper, and continue cooking uncovered for another 1/2 hour, or longer, until peas are tender and liquid has reduced to consistency desired.
  • Taste, season with salt and pepper only as needed.
  • Serve with a side of cornbread as a main dish meal over rice, or as a side dish with your favorite meat.

CREAM PEAS



Cream Peas image

In my search for a good cream pea recipe, I found many, but none that quite matched what I wanted. So I took to my own creativity and came up with this absolutely fabulous recipe. We love it so much we have this on the side quite often.

Provided by STEPHNDON

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Green Peas

Time 15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 cups frozen green peas, thawed
⅔ cup water
⅛ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter
⅓ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon white sugar

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, combine peas, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, then stir in butter.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together cream, flour, and sugar. Stir mixture into peas. Cook over medium-high heat until thick and bubbly, about 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 234.6 calories, Carbohydrate 18.5 g, Cholesterol 50.1 mg, Fat 16.2 g, Fiber 4.3 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 10.1 g, Sodium 143.9 mg, Sugar 7.6 g

SOUTHERN-STYLE CROWDER PEAS



Southern-Style Crowder Peas image

Delicious seasoned peas cooked with onions, peppers, bacon, and ham. A New Orleans style dish. Serve over rice.

Provided by Gloria Valentine

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Green Peas

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 slices bacon
1 small onion, chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
1 (16 ounce) package frozen crowder peas
2 cups water
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 pinch dried thyme
1 crushed bay leaf
½ teaspoon seasoned salt to taste
2 slices cooked ham, cubed
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Place bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat, and cook until evenly brown. Drain and crumble. Mix onion and green bell pepper into the skillet, and cook until tender. Stir in peas and water. Season with garlic powder, thyme, bay leaf, and seasoned salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, until peas are tender.
  • Mix ham into the skillet. Adjust seasonings to taste. Continue cooking 5 minutes. Stir in fresh parsley just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 95.8 calories, Carbohydrate 10 g, Cholesterol 9.1 mg, Fat 3.6 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 6.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 426 mg, Sugar 0.9 g

SOUTHERN CREAM PEAS



SOUTHERN CREAM PEAS image

Categories     Vegetable     High Fiber     Dinner

Yield 4-6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 lb - fresh shelled cream peas
3-4 - slices of bacon, chopped
1 - small to medium onion, chopped
1 - clove garlic, minced
water (enough to cover peas)
salt & pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Rinse the fresh peas. Add the chopped bacon and onion to a large pot. Cook until the bacon starts to render some fat and the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and the fresh peas. Add enough water to cover the peas. (about 1/2 inch) above the peas. Add some salt and lots of pepper. Bring the peas to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the peas are tender but still just a tiny bit firm. About a hour to a hour and a half. When the peas are done place in a serving bowl and add additional salt and pepper if needed.

CREAMED PEAS



Creamed Peas image

"I can still taste these wonderful peas in Mama's delicious white sauce. Our food was pretty plain during the week, so I thought this white sauce made the peas 'extra fancy' and fitting for a Sunday meal."

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 package (10 ounces) frozen peas
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon sugar

Steps:

  • Cook peas according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until blended; gradually add milk and sugar. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Drain peas; stir into the sauce and heat through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 110 calories, Fat 4g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 12mg cholesterol, Sodium 271mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

Tips:

  • Choose the right peas: Fresh or frozen peas are best, as they will hold their shape and color better than canned peas.
  • Cook the peas properly: Peas should be cooked until they are tender but still have a slight bite to them. Overcooked peas will be mushy.
  • Use fresh, flavorful ingredients: The cream sauce for these peas is made with milk, cream, and butter. Be sure to use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • Season the peas well: Salt and pepper are the essential seasonings for these peas. You can also add a dash of garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika for extra flavor.
  • Serve the peas immediately: These peas are best served hot, right out of the pot. They can be served as a side dish or as a main course.

Conclusion:

Southern Cream Peas are a classic Southern side dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. The peas are cooked in a creamy sauce made with milk, cream, and butter, and they are seasoned with salt, pepper, and a hint of garlic powder and onion powder. These peas are a great way to use up fresh or frozen peas, and they are perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion dinner.

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