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A bowl of Hoppin' John, featuring black-eyed peas, rice, and diced ham, garnished with chopped green onions.

Hoppin’ John

Hoppin’ John is a Southern classic that combines hearty black-eyed peas, smoky ham, and perfectly cooked rice for a dish full of tradition and comfort. Growing up, Hoppin’ John was always on the table during New Year’s celebrations, bringing with it the promise of good luck and prosperity. This dish is a staple of Southern cuisine, loved for its simplicity and robust flavors.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 345 kcal

Equipment

  • Dutch oven or skillet
  • Rice Cooker or Medium Saucepan
  • Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spoon
  • Ladle

Ingredients
  

  • 2 slices thick-cut bacon chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups diced yellow onion
  • 1 cup diced green bell pepper
  • 1 cup diced celery
  • 3 garlic cloves chopped (about 1 Tbsp.)
  • 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt divided
  • 5 cups chicken broth homemade or low-sodium preferred
  • 1 pound black-eyed peas fresh or frozen
  • 1 small smoked ham hock
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain rice cooked according to package directions
  • Fresh scallions and parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Place the chopped bacon in a Dutch oven or large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until it begins to crisp. This should take about 6 minutes.
  • Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and celery to the skillet. Stir in the garlic, thyme, black pepper, cayenne, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook while stirring occasionally until the onions are tender, about 8 minutes.
  • Pour in the chicken broth, then add the black-eyed peas and ham hock. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer uncovered. Cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peas are tender and the liquid has reduced.
  • While the peas are simmering, prepare the rice according to the package directions. Set aside when done.
  • Taste the black-eyed peas and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove the ham hock, shred some of the meat, and stir it back into the peas. Serve the Hoppin’ John over a generous portion of rice in a bowl. Garnish with scallions and parsley for a fresh touch.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 345kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 18gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 531mgPotassium: 545mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 233IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 54mgIron: 3mg

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.

Keyword Hoppin' John recipe, New Year’s Day Hoppin' John, Southern Hoppin' John
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