This Hoppin’ John recipe is black eyed peas simmered with ham and vegetables until tender, then served over rice. A classic Southern recipe that’s packed with flavor, and is said to bring good luck in a new year!
It’s a commonly held belief that black eyed peas bring good luck and prosperity in a new year. Every year on January 1st, I make slow cooker black eyed peas or this Hoppin’ John, and I always serve sides of honey cornbread and collard greens.
Hoppin’ John is traditional dish that’s easy to make, inexpensive, flavorful and has symbolic meaning. While people often serve this dish at the start of a new year for good fortune, I serve this comfort food favorite all year round. It’s just that good!
For more Southern favorites check out my mustard greens, Southern mac and cheese, pineapple casserole and funeral potatoes. Make your picks for a Southern feast!
Table of Contents
Hoppin’ John Ingredients
To make Hoppin’ John you will need butter, onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic, a bay leaf, dried thyme, Cajun seasoning, a ham hock or diced ham, black eyed peas, chicken broth, parsley, salt and black pepper.
How Do You Make Hoppin’ John?
To make this Hoppin’ John recipe, start by cooking onion, bell peppers and celery in butter in a large pot until tender. Add garlic and diced ham or a ham hock to the pot. Stir in seasonings, then add black eyed peas and chicken broth. Simmer for approximately one hour, or until the peas are tender. Stir in fresh herbs, then remove the meat from the ham hock and return the meat to the pot. Serve over steamed rice, garnish with parsley and enjoy!
Tips For The Perfect Dish
- You do not need to soak your peas before you add them to this dish. If you prefer to soak them, you can, just be aware that it may reduce the cook time. Be sure to rinse your peas to remove any debris before you cook them.
- Your cook time may vary depending on the freshness of your peas. While typical dried peas take about an hour to become tender, it could take as little as 45 minutes or as long as two hours.
- Make sure to remove the bay leaves before serving the Hoppin’ John.
- I recommend serving this with cooked long-grain rice.
- This dish stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can freeze your peas and rice for up to 2 months.
Quick Tip
You can buy Cajun seasoning or make your own Cajun seasoning.
Recipe FAQs
The origins of the name of this dish are unknown. Many people think that the name is a derivation from the French term “pois pigeons”, which means dried peas. Others think that it was because people hopped around the table in anticipation of tasting the dish.
The dried peas somewhat resemble coins, which represents riches in the new year. Another belief is that since peas swell up as they cook, it’s a representation of the expansion of wealth and fortune. People typically serve this dish with cornbread which has a yellow color representing gold. People also serve this dish with greens which represent money.
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Flavor Variations
While this is a fairly traditional version of Hoppin’ John, you can easily customize the ingredients to suit your tastes.
- Protein: I find that a ham hock produces the best flavor, but you can also use other pork like a ham bone, diced ham or bacon. You could even try smoked sausage or smoked turkey.
- Peas: Some people use red cowpeas or crowder peas instead of black eyed peas. In a pinch, you could use a different type of dried bean.
- Vegetables: Feel free to add other veggies to the mix such as red bell peppers or a can of diced tomatoes.
- Green Onions: Feel free to add sliced green onions over the top when you serve the dish.
- Spicy: For a spicier version, add a little hot sauce or a few red pepper flakes. You could even add some cayenne pepper.
This Hoppin’ John is the absolute best way to kick off your year! You can’t go wrong with the combination of smoky meat and creamy peas.
More Southern Dishes
Fried Okra Recipe
40 mins
Fried Apples Recipe
25 mins
Mississippi Pot Roast
8 hrs 20 mins
Low Country Boil
30 mins
Southern Cornbread Dressing
1 hr 15 mins
Hoppin’ John Video
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Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.
Hoppin’ John
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup onion finely diced
- 3/4 cup celery finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper cored, seeded and finely diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 large ham hock or 1 1/2 cups diced ham
- 1 pound black eyed peas rinsed
- 6 cups chicken broth I use low sodium
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- steamed rice for serving
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and bell pepper and cook for 4-5 minutes or until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the bay leaf, thyme, Cajun seasoning, salt and pepper, ham hock or diced ham, and black eyed peas. Stir to combine
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring the pot to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium low, and cook for one hour or until peas are tender.
- Remove the ham hock from the pot. Cut the meat off the bone, and return the meat to the pot.
- Sprinkle with parsley, then serve over rice.
Notes
- You do not need to soak your peas before you add them to this dish. If you prefer to soak them, you can, just be aware that it may reduce the cook time. Be sure to rinse your peas to remove any debris before you cook them.
- Your cook time may vary depending on the freshness of your peas. While typical dried peas take about an hour to become tender, it could take as little as 45 minutes or as long as two hours.
- Make sure to remove the bay leaves before serving the dish.
I plan to used canned black eyed peas. How should I adjust the recipe?
Thanks!
In step 3 you would cook for 20 minutes! That’s the only change.
Making Hoppin John today I have heard so many people talk about how delicious it is so this Italian is making it as I write this. Pictures look fabulous we will know in a couple of hours. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU THANKS FOR SHARING.
If I use frozen black eyed peas, would you suggest reducing the broth?
Yes that should be fine, they will take less time to cook too.
I just made this recipe for New Years Day. I followed the directions as written, and it came out amazing. I have one question, how much is a serving? Is it a cup, half a cup? I will definitely be making this again.
It’s 1 1/2 cups!
This is a must-try recipe! Such a flavorful and delicious meal we love making!
A perfect southern classic meal. Can’t wait to make this.
Oh, looks so fabulous and flavorful! Black-eyed peas remain my all-time best beans to cook, and I love how you made this one with ham – YUM!
Yum! So perfect for the upcoming holidays and for feeding a larger family. Your photos look absolutely gorgeous!
I loved learning about the origin of this recipe! I’ll have to try it out this New Year and see if 2021 will be a lucky year! Or maybe I won’t wait until the New Year as we could use some luck this 2020, right? This is also a great recipe to use up any leftover ham too – delish!
I never knew how tasty this could be! Loved all of the flavors in this dish! The family really enjoyed it!
Your photos are amazing! They caught my eye! I cannot wait to make this1
I’ve never heard of this before but I can’t wait to make it!
Sounds like a rich and flavorful winter dish! Yummy!
This is really good!! I will definitely make it again!
My husband and I loved this recipe! I will definitely be making this again! Can’t wait!
This looks absolutely delicious I cannot wait to try it!