why make this recipe
Hoppin’ John is a traditional Southern dish that brings comfort and warmth to any meal. Made with black-eyed peas and rice, it’s not only tasty but also symbolizes good luck and prosperity, especially when served on New Year’s Day. This easy recipe combines flavorful ingredients to create a satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Plus, it’s a great way to use up pantry staples while feeding your family a nutritious dish.
how to make Easy Hoppin’ John
Ingredients :
- 1 cup dried black-eyed peas (rinsed and sorted)
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 pound smoked sausage (sliced)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces, undrained)
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
- 3 cups cooked white rice (for serving)
- 0.25 cup chopped green onions (for garnish)
Directions :
- Start by soaking the black-eyed peas in water overnight for better cooking. If you’re short on time, use the quick soak method: Boil the peas for 2-3 minutes, then let them sit off the heat for an hour.
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional minute until you can smell the garlic.
- Add the sliced smoked sausage to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes until the sausage is heated through and slightly browned.
- Drain the soaked black-eyed peas and add them to the pot along with the 4 cups of water and the can of diced tomatoes (with their juice). Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until the peas are tender. You may need to add more water during cooking to keep it from getting too thick.
- If you like a bit of heat, stir in the hot sauce before serving.
- Serve the Hoppin’ John over cooked white rice and garnish with chopped green onions.
how to serve Easy Hoppin’ John
Serve Hoppin’ John warm over a bed of cooked white rice. It pairs well with cornbread and a side of collard greens for a complete Southern meal. You can also offer additional hot sauce at the table for those who enjoy a little extra spice.
how to store Easy Hoppin’ John
Store any leftover Hoppin’ John in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove or in the microwave until heated through. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months for a convenient meal later.
tips to make Easy Hoppin’ John
- You can use canned black-eyed peas to save time; just reduce the cooking time to about 15 minutes since they are already cooked.
- Adjust the seasonings according to your taste. If you like it spicier, add more hot sauce or even chopped jalapeños.
- For a vegetarian option, skip the smoked sausage and add more vegetables or some vegetable broth for extra flavor.
variation
Try adding diced carrots or other vegetables to the mix for extra nutrients. If you prefer a leaner dish, substitute turkey sausage for the smoked sausage. You can also make a vegan version by omitting the sausage and using vegetable broth instead of water.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen black-eyed peas instead of dried?
Yes, you can use frozen black-eyed peas. Just skip the soaking step, and you may need to adjust the cooking time.
2. What can I serve with Hoppin’ John?
Hoppin’ John is delicious on its own but pairs well with cornbread, coleslaw, or fried green tomatoes.
3. How long does it take to cook dried black-eyed peas?
When properly soaked, dried black-eyed peas typically take about 30-40 minutes to cook until tender. If not soaked, they may take longer.
Easy Hoppin' John
Ingredients
For the Hoppin' John
- 1 cup dried black-eyed peas (rinsed and sorted) Can use canned black-eyed peas to save time.
- 4 cups water Use more if mixture gets too thick.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 pound smoked sausage (sliced) Substitute turkey sausage or omit for vegetarian option.
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounces, undrained)
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional) Add more for extra heat.
- 3 cups cooked white rice (for serving)
- 0.25 cup chopped green onions (for garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Soak the black-eyed peas in water overnight for better cooking, or use the quick soak method by boiling the peas for 2-3 minutes, then letting them sit off the heat for an hour.
Cooking
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add the sliced smoked sausage to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes until heated through and slightly browned.
- Drain the soaked black-eyed peas and add them to the pot along with the 4 cups of water and the diced tomatoes with their juice. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 30-40 minutes or until the peas are tender, adding more water if needed.
- If desired, stir in the hot sauce before serving.
Serving
- Serve Hoppin' John warm over a bed of cooked white rice and garnish with chopped green onions. Pairs well with cornbread and collard greens.