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Central Eastern European

Pelēkie Zirņi (Latvian Grey Peas with Bacon)

Latvian grey peas with bacon is a hearty traditional dish of soaked whole peas served with smoky bacon and onions.

Published and reviewed by Kitchgrow on 1 September 2026Updated

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Pelēkie Zirņi (Latvian Grey Peas with Bacon)

9 hr 30 mintotal

1 hr 30 min hands-on8 hr hands-off

Prep 15 min · Cook 1 hr 15 min

Serves
2
Difficulty
Easy
Spice
None
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Ingredients

Quantities are for 2 servings.

You'll need: Stovetop.

Allow 8 hours of inactive soaking before cooking; soaked grey peas simmer more evenly and are less likely to split.

Method

  1. Rinse the soaked grey peas and place them in a pot with fresh water and the bay leaf.

  2. Simmer until the peas are tender but still hold their shape, then drain and discard the bay leaf.

  3. Cook the measured bacon in a pan until the fat renders and the bacon begins to crisp.

  4. Add the onion to the bacon fat and cook until soft and lightly golden.

  5. Add the cooked grey peas to the pan and toss gently with the bacon and onion.

  6. Season with black pepper and adjust the salt only after tasting.

  7. Serve hot while the bacon is still savoury and crisp at the edges.

How to tell it's done

The peas should be tender and creamy inside but still whole, with smoky bacon and soft onions coating them.

Getting it right

Tip

Cook the peas gently rather than boiling hard; whole grey peas can split if the heat is too aggressive.

What to serve it with

Serve as a hearty main or side with rye-style bread, pickles, or a simple cabbage salad.

Common mistakes

The grey peas split before they are creamy inside.
Soak them overnight and simmer gently rather than boiling hard. Add salt after the bacon goes in so the dish does not turn too salty.

Substitutions

  • If Grey Peas are unavailable, whole dried peas may be used, but the dish will be less specifically Latvian.
  • Smoked Bacon supplies the traditional salty-smoky garnish; unsmoked bacon will taste milder.
  • Do not add salt early if the bacon is very salty.

Storing and reheating

Refrigerate grey peas with bacon for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water if the peas have tightened; freezing is possible for up to 2 months, though the peas may soften.