Main Course · Eastern European · Dinner ·

Rustic Latvian Grey Peas with Bacon and Onion

Name: Rustic Latvian Grey Peas with Bacon and Onion
Prep time: 27 min
Cook time: 80 min
Total time: 107 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 1 cup grey peas, dried; 3 cups water; 200g smoked bacon, diced; 2 large onions, finely chopped; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

This hearty Latvian meal combines the earthy taste of grey peas with savory bacon and sweet onions for a comforting dish that's perfect as a main course or side dish.

4.4(242 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 2, 2025

Rustic Latvian Grey Peas with Bacon and Onion — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

27 min

Cook

1 h 20 min

Difficulty

Easy

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Grey Peas

For the Bacon and Onion Mixture

For Flavoring

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 446 kcal
Protein: 25.55 g
Carbs: 30 g
Fat: 23.15 g
Fiber: 4.38 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1785 kcal
Protein: 102.2 g
Carbs: 120 g
Fat: 92.6 g
Fiber: 17.5 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 cup grey peas, dried	560	30	95	1	12
3 cups water	0	0	0	0	0
200g smoked bacon, diced	1020	70	0	80	0
2 large onions, finely chopped	100	2	24	0	5
1 teaspoon salt	0	0	0	0	0
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper	3	0.1	1	0.1	0.5
1 tablespoon unsalted butter	102	0.1	0	11.5	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Soaking the Grey Peas

1
Rinse grey peas under cold water.
Rinse grey peas under cold water.
2
Place them in a bowl and cover with water.
Place them in a bowl and cover with water.
3
Soak overnight or for at least 8 hours.
Soak overnight or for at least 8 hours.

Preparing the Bacon and Onion Mixture

1
Heat a frying pan over medium heat.
Heat a frying pan over medium heat.
2
Add the diced bacon and cook until crispy.
Add the diced bacon and cook until crispy.
Tip: Make sure to drain the fat from the bacon before adding the onions to avoid a greasy mixture.
3
Stir in the onions and sauté until they are golden brown and soft.
Stir in the onions and sauté until they are golden brown and soft.
Tip: Add a knob of butter to the bacon and onion mixture for extra richness.

How to Make Rustic Latvian Grey Peas with Bacon and Onion

Total time: 1 h 47 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Cooking the Peas
Drain and rinse the soaked peas. Add them to a pot with fresh water, and bring to a boil.
2
Simmering
Reduce heat and simmer for about 40 minutes, or until peas are tender.
3
Combining Flavors
Stir the cooked peas into the bacon and onion mixture, then season with salt and pepper.