New Year’s Black Eyed Pea Dip
If you’re looking for the perfect dish to ring in the New Year, this Black Eyed Pea Dip is a must-have! Packed with vibrant colors, fresh flavors like corn and avocado, and a touch of Southern tradition, it’s easy to whip up and guaranteed to impress your family and friends!
Why Black Eyed Peas on New Year’s?
As a Southerner, black eyed peas have always been a must on my New Year’s table. I have so many memories of my mom serving them up for the special day. Black eyed peas are a traditional New Year’s Day food here in the South because they are believed to bring luck and prosperity for the coming year.
In fact, here in Charleston, if you don’t grab your black eyed peas from the store at least a few days before January 1st, good luck finding them!
Paired with cornbread (symbolizing gold) and greens (representing money), black eyed peas are a staple for starting the year on the right foot. Whether you’re superstitious or just love a good reason to celebrate, this easy New Year’s black eyed pea dip is a tasty way to incorporate this tradition into your New Year’s menu.
You can also enjoy these on New Year’s Eve with a spread of other appetizers. We LOVE to do a big assortment of appetizers on New Year’s Eve. This one definitely makes the list!
What to Serve with Black Eyed Pea Dip
This dip is incredibly versatile. Serve it with:
- Tortilla chips (my personal favorite!)
- Frito Scoops
- Sliced veggies like bell peppers, cucumbers, or carrots for a lighter option
- Pita Chips
- Crostini
- Crackers
FYI! This black eyed pea dip also doubles as a fantastic topping for grilled chicken or fish, making it more than just an appetizer.
Recipe Substitutions
While you can follow the recipe (at the end of the blog post) as-is (it’s so delicious), here are a few substitutions you can make too…
- Black Eyed Peas: Swap for black beans or pinto beans if you prefer a different legume. Now, if you want to follow the customary New Year’s Eve dish, stick with black eyed peas!
- Corn: Fresh, frozen (thawed), or canned corn all work. You can even use grilled corn for a smoky flavor.
- Avocado: Leave it out if you’re making the dip ahead of time to prevent browning, or substitute it with diced cucumber for crunch.
- Cilantro: If cilantro isn’t your thing, you could use parsley or basil – or extra green onion!
- Spice It Up: Add a diced jalapeño or a pinch of cayenne for heat.
- Tex-Mex Style: Add jalapeños as well as a drizzle of queso fresco!
- Mediterranean Style: Add diced olives and crumbled feta cheese!
Make-Ahead Tips
This Black Eyed Pea Dip is a dream for hosts. Here are my tips for making it ahead…
- Mix all ingredients except the avocado and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Add the diced avocado just before serving.
- For the best flavor, let the dip chill for at least an hour before serving. This allows the cumin, cilantro, and other ingredients to meld together. Of course, if you’re making it to serve right away, that is okay too! Grab a chip and get dipping!
I hope you’ll give this dip a try on New Year’s! It converts even the non-black eyed pea lovers! And if you are in need of a few more appetizers for the occasion, try out these below!
Black Eyed Pea Dip
Ingredients
- 30 ounces (2 cans) black eyed peas (drained and rinsed)
- 15 ounces (1 can) corn (drained and rinsed)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 1/3 red onion (diced)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 2 green onions (diced)
- 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)
- 2 ripe avocados (cubed)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine black eyed peas, corn, red bell pepper, red onion, cumin, cilantro, and green onion.
- Gently fold in cubed avocado.
- Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Serve with your favorite chips!
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