This Blackened Salmon with Spinach and Black Eyed Peas recipe brings warm spice, tender greens, and creamy peas together in a simple skillet meal that fits beautifully into New Year Food traditions. The flavors build gently as the salmon sears, the spinach wilts, and the peas soak up every savory note for a comforting dish that feels both fresh and classic.
What Makes This Recipe Stand Out
- Bold blackened seasoning adds rich color and deep flavor.
- Spinach cooks quickly and balances the hearty peas.
- Black eyed peas offer creamy texture and satisfying protein.
- Everything cooks in one pan for easy cleanup.
- Perfect for New Years Black Eyed Peas traditions.
Ingredient Breakdown
This section helps you understand how each ingredient supports flavor and texture while giving you room to adjust for your pantry or taste. For more Southern inspiration, the tender seasoning in these black eyed pea fritters pairs beautifully with this dish.
- Salmon fillets give the dish rich flavor and flaky texture.
- Black eyed peas create a creamy base and soak up spice.
- Fresh spinach softens quickly and adds mild earthiness.
- Blackened seasoning brings heat, color, and smoky depth.
- Butter and olive oil help achieve an even sear.
- Garlic and onion build gentle aromatics that round the dish.
How to Make It
Prep
- Pat the salmon dry and coat both sides with blackened seasoning.
- Rinse the black eyed peas if using canned and drain well.
- Chop the onion and mince the garlic.
- Rinse the spinach and shake off excess water.
Cook
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Place salmon skin side up and sear 3 to 4 minutes until darkened.
- Flip the salmon and cook 3 to 4 minutes until flaky.
- Transfer the salmon to a plate and lower the heat.
- Add onion and garlic to the skillet and sauté 2 to 3 minutes.
- Stir in the black eyed peas and warm them through.
Finish and Serve
- Add the spinach to the skillet and cook 1 to 2 minutes until wilted.
- Return the salmon to the pan and spoon the peas and spinach around it.
- Simmer 1 minute to let flavors blend before serving.
Time Saving Options
These shortcuts help you prepare this Black Eyed Peas Recipe on busy nights without losing flavor. For a fast meal prep base, the seasoning ideas in this Spanish rice and beans dish also work well here.
- Use canned black eyed peas for quick assembly.
- Buy pre washed spinach to reduce prep time.
- Mix a batch of blackened seasoning ahead of time.
- Cook the peas earlier in the day and reheat.
Blackened Salmon with Spinach and Black-Eyed Peas
Equipment
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 fillets salmon skin on
- 1 tbsp blackened seasoning
- 1 cup black eyed peas cooked or canned, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups fresh spinach washed
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
- Pat the salmon dry and coat both sides with blackened seasoning.
- Rinse the black eyed peas if using canned and drain well.
- Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Rinse and dry the spinach.
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- Place salmon skin side up and sear 3 to 4 minutes until darkened.
- Flip the salmon and cook 3 to 4 minutes until flaky. Remove and set aside.
- Add onion and garlic to the skillet and sauté 2 to 3 minutes.
- Stir in the black eyed peas and warm them through.
- Add spinach to the skillet and cook 1 to 2 minutes until wilted.
- Return salmon to the pan and spoon peas and spinach around it. Simmer 1 minute before serving.
Notes
Variations You Can Try
This recipe adapts easily to different flavor moods, and you can also explore how to cook black eyed peas using methods like the smoky approach in black eyed peas with smoked turkey legs.
- Swap salmon for trout or snapper for lighter flavor.
- Add diced tomatoes for a brighter finish.
- Use kale instead of spinach for more structure.
- Stir in lemon zest for fresh citrus notes.
FAQs
Can I use dried peas instead of canned?
You can use dried peas as long as you cook them beforehand, and this works especially well when planning New Years Black Eyed Peas dishes. Simmer the peas until tender, keep them slightly firm so they hold shape in the skillet, and season them lightly before adding. This approach gives the peas deeper flavor, a creamier center, and a fresher texture that pairs beautifully with blackened salmon.
How spicy is the blackened seasoning?
Blackened seasoning brings warmth rather than sharp heat, and you can easily adjust it by changing the paprika or cayenne balance. If you prefer a milder dish, use sweet paprika and cut the cayenne in half. If you enjoy stronger spice, add a pinch more black pepper or chili powder. The salmon carries the seasoning well, so the flavor stays steady without overwhelming the spinach and peas.
How to cook black eyed peas for the best texture?
To achieve the best texture, simmer black eyed peas gently until tender but not mushy so they remain creamy inside without breaking apart. Start with a slow cook to let the skins soften evenly, then add salt only toward the end to prevent toughness. If using canned peas, rinse them lightly to reduce excess starch while keeping their shape, which helps them blend beautifully with the sautéed aromatics and spinach.
Final Thoughts
This Blackened Salmon with Spinach and Black Eyed Peas brings bold seasoning and comforting texture together in a simple skillet meal perfect for any night. The flavors settle warmly into the creamy peas, and if you want more inspiration for New Year Food traditions, you can explore familiar Southern flavors through this creamy black eyed pea dish as well.
