Hot Black-Eyed Pea Dip (Printable)

Warm, cheesy blend of black-eyed peas and jalapeños, baked until bubbly and golden.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dairy

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup sour cream
03 - 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded, divided

→ Canned Goods

04 - 2 cups black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

→ Vegetables & Flavorings

05 - 1/2 cup pickled jalapeños, chopped
06 - 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced
07 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings

09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and sour cream. Beat until smooth and creamy.
03 - Add 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, black-eyed peas, pickled jalapeños, green onions, red bell pepper, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined.
04 - Transfer mixture to a greased 1 1/2-quart baking dish.
05 - Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
06 - Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly and the cheese is golden brown.
07 - Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm with tortilla chips or vegetable sticks.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, so you can prep it the morning of and bake it fresh just before guests arrive.
  • The combination of creamy cheese, tangy jalapeños, and those earthy black-eyed peas somehow tastes way more sophisticated than the simple ingredient list suggests.
  • It's impossible to mess up, which means even if you're nervous about cooking, this dip will make you look like you know what you're doing.
02 -
  • Don't skip softening the cream cheese—cold cream cheese will refuse to blend smoothly and you'll end up with grainy disappointment no matter how hard you mix.
  • The five-minute rest after baking is not optional; it stops the dip from being soupy and gives it enough structure to actually stay on your chip.
03 -
  • If your dip looks too thick after mixing, don't panic—it will loosen slightly as it bakes and the cheese melts further, so resist the urge to add more sour cream.
  • The pickled jalapeño brine adds moisture and flavor, so if you're using fresh jalapeños instead, add two tablespoons of lime juice to compensate.
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