Description
Hoppin’ John is a classic Southern dish featuring tender black-eyed peas cooked with aromatic vegetables, a smoky ham hock, and flavorful seasonings, served over rice. This comforting recipe is hearty and perfect for a family meal or New Year’s tradition to bring good luck.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
Beans & Meat
- 1 lb. dried black-eyed peas
- 1 whole ham hock
Liquids & Fats
- 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 2 tbsp. white vinegar
Seasonings
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Cayenne pepper, to taste
Serving
- White or brown rice, cooked
Instructions
- Soak the black-eyed peas: Place the dried black-eyed peas in a large bowl and cover with cool water. Let them soak for at least 6 hours to soften. After soaking, drain and rinse the peas thoroughly.
- Sauté the aromatics: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion, minced garlic, green bell pepper, and celery. Stir and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add beans and broth: Stir in the soaked black-eyed peas. Pour in the chicken broth and add the whole ham hock. Season with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer with lid on: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer gently for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the peas to begin cooking through.
- Adjust liquid and continue cooking: After 30 minutes, check the consistency. If too soupy, cook uncovered for another 15 minutes to reduce liquid. If too thick, add a little more broth to loosen the mixture. Stir in the white vinegar, then taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve over rice: Spoon the Hoppin’ John over cooked white or brown rice, ensuring to include plenty of the savory cooking liquid. Optionally, mix the beans with the rice before serving.
- Optional variations: Feel free to add red bell pepper, canned diced tomatoes, diced jalapeños, diced ham (instead of ham hock), or sliced bacon (instead of ham hock) for different flavor profiles. For extra greens, stir in torn kale during the final 5 minutes of cooking. When using canned black-eyed peas, reduce broth slightly and use diced ham instead of a ham hock as peas require less cooking time.
Notes
- Soaking the black-eyed peas helps reduce cooking time and improves texture.
- Adjust seasoning including cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level.
- Use low-sodium broth to control saltiness.
- Adding vinegar at the end adds a subtle brightness to the dish.
- Kale or greens can be added near the end for added nutrition.
- You can substitute the ham hock with diced ham or bacon for different smoky flavors.
- Serve with white or brown rice as per preference.
