47 kcal P 2.97g C 7.02g F 0.77g
🫘 Legumes and Legume Products
Calories in Blackeye pea
Despite their name, blackeye peas are actually beans, and their signature spot is a seed coat scar, not a pigment.
116 kcal
What makes blackeye pea so powerful?
Blackeye peas (Vigna unguiculata) are not true peas but rather cowpeas, a legume domesticated in West Africa. They arrived in the Americas via the transatlantic slave trade and became a staple in the American South. The iconic black "eye" on the cream-colored seed coat is actually the hilum—the scar where the seed was attached to the pod. Unlike many other legumes, blackeye peas contain lower levels of the specific oligosaccharides that cause digestive gas, making them somewhat gentler on the stomach. When cooked, their earthy flavor comes from a combination of sulfur compounds and pyrazines, which develop further if they are roasted or pan-fried. In traditional Southern American cuisine, eating blackeye peas on New Year's Day is a documented custom dating back to the 19th century, symbolizing prosperity and luck. This tradition is often paired with collard greens to represent money, tying culinary chemistry to cultural history.
Not actually a pea
They belong to the cowpea genus, making them botanically closer to beans than green peas.
The eye is a scar
The black spot is the hilum, the attachment point where the seed connected to the pod.
Symbol of prosperity
Eating them on New Year's Day is a 19th-century Southern tradition meant to bring good luck.
💡 When & how to use it
To reduce cooking time and improve texture, soak dry blackeye peas in cold water for at least four hours or overnight, then discard the soaking water to remove indigestible sugars. Simmer them gently in broth with aromatics like garlic and onions until tender, which takes about an hour. They absorb flavor exceptionally well, making them ideal for slow-cooked stews. Pair them with a grain like rice to form a complete protein profile, providing all essential amino acids in a single meal.
Calories by Serving Size
100g
116 kcal
P 6.92g C 19.2g F 1.3g
1 RACC (130g)
151 kcal
P 9g C 25g F 1.7g
200g
232 kcal
P 13.8g C 38.4g F 2.6g
50g
58 kcal
P 3.5g C 9.6g F 0.7g
Full Nutrition Facts
Per 100g — daily values based on a 2,000 calorie diet
Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 100g
Calories 116
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1.3g 2%
Sodium 227mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 19.2g 7%
Protein 6.92g 14%
Calcium 27.8mg 2%
Iron 1.08mg 6%
Potassium 138mg 3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
How does Blackeye pea fit your daily goals?
23 min
Walking to burn 116 kcal
6%
of 2,000 kcal daily goal
6.92g
protein (14% of daily 50g)
17
servings until 2,000 kcal
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories are in Blackeye pea?
Blackeye pea contains 116 calories per 100g. A standard serving of 1 RACC (130g) provides 151 calories. It is a moderate-calorie food that can fit into most healthy diets.
How much protein does Blackeye pea have?
Blackeye pea provides 6.92g of protein per 100g, which is 14% of the 50g daily recommended value. It is not a primary protein source.
How many carbs are in Blackeye pea?
Blackeye pea contains 19.2g of carbohydrates per 100g .
Is Blackeye pea good for weight loss?
Blackeye pea has 116 kcal per 100g, which is relatively moderate. It can fit into a weight-loss diet as long as portion sizes are managed.
How do I track Blackeye pea calories accurately?
The easiest way to track blackeye pea is with CalRay. Simply snap a photo of your meal and the AI will automatically identify the food and calculate calories and macros based on the estimated portion size — no manual lookup required. You can also search by name and adjust gram weight manually.
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