Description
This Tasty Black Eyed Pea Dip is a flavorful and creamy appetizer perfect for parties or a casual snack. Blending sharp cheddar cheese, tangy salsa, pickled jalapeños, and smooth sour cream with tender black-eyed peas creates a deliciously spicy and savory dip. It’s easy to prepare and pairs wonderfully with chips, crackers, or fresh veggies.
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Ingredients
- 14 oz black-eyed peas (canned and drained, or cooked fresh)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (freshly shredded for better texture)
- 1/4 cup sour cream (room temperature for smooth blending)
- 3 tbsp salsa (I use Pace medium salsa)
- 8 pickled jalapeño slices (adjust for spice preference)
- 1/4 onion (finely diced, about 1/4-inch pieces)
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste (freshly ground preferred)
- hot sauce to taste (Frank’s RedHot or your favorite)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Drain the canned black-eyed peas or cook fresh black-eyed peas until tender. Finely dice the onion into small 1/4-inch pieces and shred the sharp cheddar cheese fresh for best texture.
- Blend the Dip: In a food processor or blender, combine black-eyed peas, sour cream, salsa, pickled jalapeño slices, and diced onion. Blend until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
- Season the Mixture: Add salt, freshly ground black pepper, and hot sauce to taste. Blend briefly again to incorporate the seasonings evenly throughout the dip.
- Add Cheese: Transfer the blended mixture to a serving bowl and gently fold in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese. This adds a nice texture contrast and cheesy flavor without over-mixing.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the dip for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled with tortilla chips, crackers, or sliced vegetables for dipping.
Notes
- Adjust the number of jalapeño slices and hot sauce to control heat level based on your preference.
- Using freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese improves the dip’s texture compared to pre-shredded cheese.
- For a smoother dip, blend longer, but leaving some texture enhances the eating experience.
- Can be made a few hours ahead and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- Serve with pita chips, celery sticks, or carrot sticks as alternative dippers.
