Authentic Hoppin John Recipe: This Black-Eyed Pea Recipe is packed with zesty southern flavor! Serve “Peas and Rice” as a main dish or side, to make any meal more comforting.

Black eyes peas with sausage and veggies in bowl

Why We Love This Authentic Hoppin John Recipe

Love southern comfort food? You’ll be hoppin’ around the dinner table for this flavorful recipe!

Who doesn’t love a recipe that calls for bacon… And sausage?!

Your family will request this Authentic Hoppin’ John Recipe for dinner week after week. Packed with flavor from bacon and sausage, veggies, and jalapeño, these black-eyed peas are so much more than just a New Year’s Eve recipe.

Whether you are planning on making this dish as a Thanksgiving side dish, for your New Year’s celebration, or just a regular Wednesday evening at home, I know you’ll enjoy it!

Rice and hoppin john in a bowls with a silver spoon.

What is Hoppin John?

Hoppin’ John has been around since the 1800s, gracing the tables of many homes in the South, especially during the holidays. This historical dish is believed to pass on good luck and peace to anyone who indulges in it during the New Year. The thought sounds lovely, however, the history doesn’t quite align.

We have been able to find Hoppin’ John Recipes in cookbooks dating back to the 1840’s hailing from the Low Country of South Carolina, a popular region for plantation owners. Black Eyed Peas are traditionally the bean used in this authentic dish which is what makes historians believe that slaves replanted this West African native bean in American soil.

From there, the Hoppin’ John Recipe was born. The name’s origin is still a mystery. However, many believe that it is derived from the African slave children showing excitement to receive this dish for dinner.

Others say it comes from a man known as “Hoppin’ John” who hobbled around the streets of Charleston and sold peas and rice to the locals.

Hoppin John also goes by the name of Southern Peas and Rice. It’s rich and comforting, with a nostalgic southern appeal.

Black eyes peas with sausage and veggies in skillet with a wooden spoon.

Ingredients For Hoppin John

  • Bacon – The southern fat of choice.
  • Andouille Sausage Links – For extra protein and tons of spicy flavor!
  • Onion and Garlic – For zesty undernotes.
  • Celery – To create the southern balance of flavors.
  • Bell Pepper – Any color, but green bell pepper is the most common. For sweetness and tang.
  • Jalapeno or Serrano pepper – The andouille sausage offers a little heat, so if you are sensitive to spice, omit the jalapeno.
  • Frozen Black-Eyed Peas – Or field peas. Use frozen peas instead of dried peas to speed up the recipe prep.
  • Chicken Stock – Or vegetable stock (chicken broth).
  • Fresh Thyme Leaves – Or use dried thyme in a pinch.
  • Cajun Seasoning – To bring in tons of seasoning in one ingredient.
  • Green Onions – A fresh topping.
  • Long Grain Rice – Served on the side or mixed in.
hoppin john ingredients

How To Make Hoppin John

Set a medium saucepot over medium-high heat. Add the rice and 3 ½ cups water. Cover and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, until light and fluffy. *See package instructions.

Set a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the bacon. Cook and stir for 3 minutes, then add in the sliced sausage. Brown until the sausage looks crispy around the edges. Stir regularly.

Push the bacon and sausage to the sides of the pan and add in the onions, cut celery stalks, bell pepper, jalapeno, and garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes to soften the vegetables.

vegetables for hopping john

Pour in the black-eyed peas, chicken stock, thyme, and Cajun seasoning. Cover with a tight lid and simmer on medium-low heat for 30-40 minutes, or until the black-eyed peas are soft and tender. (If the broth absorbs before the black-eyed peas are soft, add a little water to finish them off.)

Taste, then season with salt and pepper if needed.

Serve warm over rice with a sprinkling of green onions, and hot sauce on the side.

Sausage being sauteéd in skillet.

Serving Suggestions

Hoppin’ John can be served over the rice, or mixed into the rice as a fabulous peas and rice recipe. I prefer to pile it on the rice and let each person mix it.

For a healthier version, you can serve your hoppin’ john on brown rice, or even quinoa!

You can also serve this black-eyed peas recipe as a side next to some crispy broasted chicken, smoked pork loin, or roasted turkey!

This is often known as part of the New Year’s Day meal. It’s believed that if you eat peas and rice every New Year, you are setting yourself up for prosperity and good fortune. 

Get The Full Printable Hoppin John Recipe (Peas and Rice Recipe) Below!

Vegetables being sauteéd in skillet with sausage.

Tips & Tricks

  • You can also use canned black-eyed peas for this recipe, but don’t add all of the juice from the cans. I would add a little bit but mostly add the drained black-eyed peas. Keep in mind, that they will cook more quickly if they are canned!
  • Don’t be scared of the seasoning! The Cajun seasoning and thyme add a lot of flavor here. You can add the amount listed in the recipe and then give a taste test. If you need more seasoning, add it!
  • Serve over piping hot rice! For real, this recipe is extremely comforting when it is served over super hot and freshly cooked rice.
Adding beans to hoppin john recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this Authentic Hoppin’ John Recipe in the Crock Pot?

Sure! Start the pork and vegetables on the stovetop. Then add everything to a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours. (Or high for 4-5 hours.) Cook the rice separately.

Can I use dried black-eyed peas?

Yes! Dried black-eyed peas would also work in this beans and rice recipe, but it will take much longer to cook, about 1-2 hours. Be sure to cook until the beans are nice and tender, and you might have to add some extra liquid due to evaporation! Since you are cooking for a long time this way, I also recommend adding a bay leaf.

Is this Hoppin John Recipe spicy?

This cajun black-eyed peas and rice recipe is only slightly spicy! The Cajun seasoning has cayenne pepper which adds a bit of a kick. If you want, you can use a little less cajun seasoning and replace the rest with paprika.

What is cajun seasoning made of?

Each Cajun seasoning is different, but it is generally made of black pepper, white pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika. You can add other spices to the mix too like oregano or red pepper flakes if you would like!

How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

You can, but you do lose a lot of flavor by just omitting the meats. Instead, substitute the Andouille Sausage Links for a meatless sausage option. Then, of course, skip the bacon. You may need to add a little oil to the saucepot because you lose the bacon grease. This will result in a lovely vegetarian dish. 

How long does this Hoppin John Recipe last?

Pack leftovers in a tightly sealed container. Then place in the refrigerator for up to a week. 

Can I use a different legume other than black-eyed peas?

Yes, you can easily substitute black-eyed peas for lima beans, navy beans, or even kidney beans.

Can I Store Leftovers in The Freezer?

Yes, make sure to store it in an airtight container and it can keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. Place in the fridge to thaw out overnight.

Hoppin John in pot

Looking for More Southern-Inspired Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:

Authentic Hoppin John recipe in bowls
Authentic Hoppin John recipe in bowls with utensils
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5 stars (25 reviews)
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Authentic Hoppin’ John Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
A classic black eyed peas recipe, sometimes called Carolina Peas and Rice, cooked with bacon, sausage, and veggies, and served over fluffy rice!
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • ¼ pound thick-cut bacon, chopped
  • 2 andouille sausage links, halved and slice thin
  • 1 small sweet onion, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped (any color)
  • 1 jalapeno or serrano pepper, seeded and diced
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ½ – 2 pounds frozen black eyed peas, or field peas
  • 32 ounce chicken stock
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
  • ½ cup chopped green onions
  • 2 cups long grain rice, rinsed well (or Carolina Gold rice)

Instructions

  • Set a medium sauce pot over high heat. Add the rice and 3 ½ cups water. Cover and bring to a boil. Then lower the heat and cook for 15-20 minutes, until light and fluffy. *See package instructions.
  • Set a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the bacon. Cook and stir for 3 minutes, then add in the sliced sausage. Brown until the sausage looks crispy around the edges. Stir regularly.
  • Push the bacon and sausage to the sides of the pan and add in the onions, celery, bell pepper, jalapeno, and garlic. Sauté for 3-5 minutes to soften the vegetables.
  • Pour in the black eyed peas, chicken stock, thyme, and Cajun seasoning. Cover with a tight lid and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the black eyed peas are soft and tender. (If the broth absorbs before the black eyed peas are soft, add a little water to finish them off.)
  • Taste, then season with salt and pepper if needed.
  • Serve warm over rice with a sprinkling of green onions, and hot sauce on the side.

Video

Notes

Hoppin’ John can be served over the rice, or mixed into the rice. I prefer to pile it on the rice and let each person mix it.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.25cups, Calories: 581kcal, Carbohydrates: 88g, Protein: 27g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 27mg, Sodium: 428mg, Potassium: 950mg, Fiber: 15g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 1101IU, Vitamin C: 27mg, Calcium: 90mg, Iron: 6mg
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Author: Sommer Collier
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