Peeled Black-Eyed Beans: A Quick Guide

You won’t understand the importance of a perfectly peeled black-eyed beans until you want to make Nigerian Moi Moi and Akara.

This guide will walk you through a step-by-step process on how to peel black-eyed beans.

What Are Peeled Black-Eyed Beans?

Black-eyed beans, also known as cowpeas, are easy to spot because of how they look. They are small, cream-colored beans with a black spot.

When you peel the beans there is a soft inner bean that is used for some of my favorite dishes.

How to Peel Black-Eyed Beans

I have tried peeling black-eyed beans with many methods. Two common methos I use are what I call the “soaking method” and the “blender method.”

For the soaking method, here are the steps I take.

1. Soak the beans in lots of water for 20 minutes.
2. Start peeling the beans by taking a handful at a time and rubbing the beans in between your palms. Do this continuously until majority of the beans is without skin.
3. Run the beans underneath some water. The peeled skin would float to the surface of the water. Use a sieve to remove the skin and repeat steps 2 and 3 until the beans are clean and free of the skins. Then discard the skins at this stage.

The other method I use for peeling black-eyed beans is the blending method.

For this method, you have to turn on the blender and pulse very quickly like every half second.

The idea is to cause friction between the skin and the inner beans and not to blend the beans!

How Are These Beans Used?

Peeled black-eyed beans are the foundation for many popular dishes including Moi Moi and Akara.

Tips for Perfectly Peeled Beans

• One good tip is to not over-soak the beans, as they can become mushy and it really complicates the process once that happens.
• Use fresh water for each rinse to effectively remove skins.
• If using a blender, avoid blending too much; the goal is to loosen the skins, not puree the beans.

How to Store Peeled Black-Eyed Beans

Just out of habit, I always try to use my peeled black-eyed beans the same day. But I understand life happens and you may need to store them for another time.

Two ways you can preserve the beans are:

• Refrigerator: Keep peeled beans in an airtight container with water and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Change the water daily.
• Freezer: Freeze the beans in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in water before use.

Nutritional Benefits of These Beans

Peeled black-eyed beans are rich in nutrients such as protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and low fat.

Have you tried peeling black-eyed beans at home? What’s your favorite dish to make with peeled beans? Do you have tips or tricks to make peeling faster or easier?