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This Hoppin' John recipe takes only 30 minutes to whip, and you'll be licking your fingers from the layers of flavors in this dish. It's pork-free, so there are no ham hocks in this one.
Here are a few dishes to serve alongside this finger-licking dish: Instant Pot Collard Greens, Southern Fried Chicken, Southern Potato Salad, Southern Green Beans, and Southern Sweet Tea.
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What is Hoppin' John?
Think of this dish as jambalaya with black-eyed peas.
Hoppin' John is a Southern Classic recipe that is easy to make and feeds a crowd. Historically, this is one of the go-to dishes during New Year's Day. The black-eyed peas represent little coins, and the addition of pork symbolizes optimism because pigs move forward without looking back.
Many stories and debates exist about the dish's origin and how it should be made. One story says that in the 1800s, a one-legged black cook named John hopped while cooking it.
Regardless of how the name was developed, every Hoppin John recipe should include black-eyed peas, onions, smoked meat, either ham hock or bacon, onion, celery, rice, tomatoes, and seasonings.
I put my New Orleans by using the holy trinity, onion, celery and bell pepper, cayenne pepper, smoked beef sausage, tomato paste, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried thyme, dried basil, low sodium chicken broth and rice. I finish it with sliced green onions and chopped parsley.
My secret to making this hour-long dish in 30 minutes is that I use canned ones instead of dried black-eyed peas. I know my grandfather would roll his eyes at me, but his belly would be full much faster.
Key Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need to make a pot of my easy hoppin' John recipe.
Black Eyed Peas
By using canned black-eyed peas, we can have dinner on the table in minutes. All of the pre-cooking and boiling of the peas has already been done.
Aromatics
You'll need a yellow onion, celery, and bell pepper. I chose to use a red bell pepper instead of a green one for a pop of color. Also, the tomato paste will add a layer of umami flavor.
Smoked Meats
Even though it is traditionally served with a smoked ham hock, I wanted to create a healthier version, so I opted for beef bacon and beef smoked sausage. The bacon adds a smoky flavor, and the sausage adds a meaty texture.
Long Grain Rice
Whether you should cook the rice and serve the peas over the top or cook them together, I was raised with them cooked together, so cook your rice in advance and get ready to eat well.
Dried Herbs
You'll need bay leaf, dried thyme, and dried basil to add an earthy, sweet taste to compliment the nutty flavor of the black-eyed peas.
Chicken Stock
I like to use low-sodium chicken stock to ensure the rice and peas are smothered down really well. The chicken flavor complements the smoky flavor of the meats.
How to Make Hoppin John
This simple recipe is loaded with flavor and will have you dancing with every bite.
In a medium cast iron skillet, add oil and bacon.
Turn the heat to medium and cook until the bacon is brown and crispy; set to the side.
Add onion, bell pepper, and celery to the same pot and cook for 3 minutes until softened. Add garlic, tomato paste, and bay leaves, and cook until fragrant.
Add black-eyed peas, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, thyme, basil, cayenne pepper, sausage and stock. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
Fold in cooked bacon, rice, and half of green onions.
Serve hot and garnish with green onions and parsley.
Storage
After everything cools off, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for seven days.
You can keep it in an airtight container in the freezer for three months. Thaw for 48 hours in the fridge before using.
To reheat, boil a ¼ cup of chicken broth or water and stir in hoppin' John; cook until hot.
Pro Recipe Substitutions, Tips and Tricks
Feel free to adjust this when preparing your dish.
- Make sure that your bacon is crispy. You want to render (cookout) all the fat, adding maximum flavor to the dish. You can use turkey bacon instead of beef bacon, but add two tablespoons of oil.
- You can make this dish the ol'school way and use dried black-eyed peas. You will need the peas will need to be soaked overnight and drained. Follow the recipe, increase stock to 3 cups, and cook for 1 hour, covered.
- Make this dish in a Dutch oven instead of a cast iron skillet.
- You can use a green bell pepper instead of a red one.
- It's ok to swap vegetable broth for chicken broth. Broth and stock can be used interchangeably.
- A 15 oz. can of diced or fire-roasted tomatoes can be used instead of tomato paste.
- You can use brown rice; if you find it, try using some Carolina gold rice. My go-to brown rice is Uncle Ben's.
- If cayenne pepper is too spicy, swap it out for cajun seasoning.
FAQ
Here are readers' top questions about Hoppin John.
What is Hoppin John made of?
Hoppin John is a traditional Southern dish primarily composed of black-eyed peas, rice, and a form of smoky pork such as bacon or ham hocks. The dish is often enhanced with additional ingredients like onions, bell peppers, and spices to add depth and flavor. Combining these elements creates a hearty, comforting, nutritious, and flavorful meal.
Is Hoppin John an African dish?
It is not exclusively an African dish but has strong roots in African cuisine. The dish as it is known today is a staple in Southern United States cuisine, particularly in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina and Georgia. The primary ingredients, black-eyed peas and rice, reflect the influence of West African culinary traditions brought over by enslaved Africans. Over time, these ingredients were adapted into the local cuisine, resulting in the dish known today as Hoppin John.
Is Hoppin John the same as black-eyed peas?
Hoppin John and black-eyed peas are not the same. Black-eyed peas are a type of legume, whereas Hoppin John is a complete dish incorporating black-eyed peas as a central ingredient, along with rice, pork, and various seasonings. The dish is more complex and flavorful than plain black-eyed peas, providing a balanced and savory meal.
When should I eat Hoppin John?
Hoppin John is traditionally eaten in the Southern United States on New Year's Day. It is believed that consuming Hoppin John on this day brings good luck and prosperity for the coming year. The black-eyed peas symbolize coins, and the dish is often served with greens, which represent paper money, and cornbread, which stands for gold. Despite this tradition, Hoppin John is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed at any time of year, offering a comforting and satisfying meal.
What's the difference between Hoppin John and black-eyed peas?
The primary difference between Hoppin John and black-eyed peas lies in their preparation and components. Black-eyed peas are simply legumes often cooked as a side dish. In contrast, Hoppin John is a more elaborate dish combining black-eyed peas with rice, pork, and various seasonings and vegetables. This combination results in a richer, more flavorful, and complete meal than plain black-eyed peas.
What is a substitute for black-eyed peas in Hoppin John?
If black-eyed peas are unavailable, several other legumes can serve as substitutes in Hoppin John. Options include crowder peas, field peas, or even lentils. While these substitutes might alter the flavor slightly, they can still provide a satisfying and delicious dish. Each of these legumes has a unique taste and texture, ensuring that the essence of Hoppin John is maintained even with substitutions.
What to eat with Hoppin John?
Hoppin John pairs well with various Southern side dishes, enhancing the overall dining experience. Some popular accompaniments include collard greens, cornbread, fried chicken, sweet potatoes, banana pudding, or fried sweet potato pies. These sides complement the flavors of Hoppin John, creating a well-rounded and hearty meal rich in Southern culinary tradition.
More Southern Recipes
If you enjoy Soul food, then this list is perfect for you!
- Banana Pudding
- Chocolate Banana Pudding
- New Orleans Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
- New Orleans Seafood File Gumbo
- Southern Hoecakes
- Peach Cobbler
- Biscuits and Turkey Sausage Gravy
- Southern Baked Mac n Cheese
- Red Velvet Cake
Before You Begin
To begin, here are the steps I follow to get organized.
Step 1: Read the recipe before you start.
Step 2: Measure your ingredients into individual bowls.
Step 3: Get ready to have some of the best hoppin' John you've ever made.
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📖 Recipe
Hoppin’ John
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 4 slices of beef bacon chopped medium
- 1 onion chopped medium
- 1 red bell pepper chopped medium
- 2 celery stalks chopped medium
- 3 garlic cloves chopped fine
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 15 oz. can black-eyed peas rinsed, drained
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons granulated garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dry thyme
- ½ teaspoon dry basil
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 12 oz. beef smoked sausage sliced
- 1 ½ cups unsalted chicken stock
- 2 cups cooked long grain rice
- ½ cup green onions sliced, garnish
- ¼ cup parsley chopped, garnish
Instructions
- In a medium pot add oil and bacon cut. Turn heat to medium and cook until bacon is brown and crispy, set to the side. In the same pot add onion, bell pepper and celery and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic, tomato paste and bay leaves, cook until fragrant. Add black-eyed peas, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, thyme, basil, cayenne pepper, sausage and stock. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Fold in cooked bacon, rice and half of green onions. Serve hot and garnish with green onions and parsley.
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Notes
- Make sure that your bacon is crispy. You want to render (cookout) all the fat, adding maximum flavor to the dish. You can use turkey bacon instead of beef bacon, but add two tablespoons of oil.
- You can make this dish the ol'school way and use dried black-eyed peas. You will need the peas will need to be soaked overnight and drained. Follow the recipe, increase stock to 3 cups, and cook for 1 hour, covered.
- Make this dish in a Dutch oven instead of a cast iron skillet.
- You can use a green bell pepper instead of a red one.
- It's ok to swap vegetable broth for chicken broth. Broth and stock can be used interchangeably.
- A 15 oz. can of diced or fire-roasted tomatoes can be used instead of tomato paste.
- You can use brown rice; if you find it, try using some Carolina gold rice. My go-to brown rice is Uncle Ben's.
- If cayenne pepper is too spicy, swap it out for cajun seasoning.
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