Hoppin’ John

Full of down-home flavor, hoppin’ John is thought to bring good luck when it’s served on New Year’s Day. To celebrate, pair this dish with a side of collard greens or another traditional New Year’s food. Our one-pot hoppin’ John recipe is so delicious that it’s perfect for special occasions—and any other day!

What is hoppin’ John?

Made with pork, rice, beans and seasonings, the recipe for hoppin’ John has deep roots in African American culture. Served as part of a Kwanzaa menu or on New Year’s Day in southern households, hoppin’ John is said to usher in good luck and prosperity, with the peas representing coins. Similar to traditional black-eyed peas, our hoppin’ John recipe is heartier with the addition of vegetables, bacon and rice.

Hoppin’ John Ingredients

• Bacon: The bacon adds smoky and savory flavor to our hoppin’ John recipe. To find the best bacon, look for strips with a healthy mix of meat and fat.
• Vegetables: This flavorful recipe uses the “holy trinity” of Cajun and Creole cooking, which includes bell pepper, celery and onion. The mix is an aromatic base for many Lowcountry recipes, such as red beans and rice.
• Long-grain rice: Long-grain rice is about four times as long as it is wide. It cooks up fluffy and the individual grains don’t tend to stick as with other varieties.
• Seasonings: The seasonings in this dish are simple. The bacon and its drippings provide enough salt that only 1/4 teaspoon more is needed. A healthy bit of cayenne pepper—use more or less to suit your tastes—adds a hint of heat without being overpowering.
• Herbs: Dried basil, thyme, oregano and bay leaf add earthiness to this soul-satisfying recipe for hoppin’ John.
• Black-eyed peas: A type of field pea native to Africa, black-eyed peas are a staple in the South. Once you’ve made this version of hoppin’ John with black-eyed peas, try one of the red heirloom varieties of field peas available for added color and deeper flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Saute the bacon and vegetables

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In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Drain it on paper towels; discard all but 2 tablespoons drippings.

Editor’s Tip: Keep the extra bacon grease for other cooking projects.

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Saute the pepper, celery and onions in the bacon drippings until they’re almost tender.

Step 2: Cook the rice

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Add rice, water, seasonings and herbs to the skillet. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Add the peas and bacon

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Add the black-eyed peas and cooked bacon.

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Simmer for 10 minutes longer. Discard the bay leaf before serving.

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Recipe Variations

• Stir in cooked meat: While this recipe is traditional, feel free to spin it by adding a medley of diced ham, andouille sausage, smoked turkey or kielbasa. Or use a plant-based meat alternative for a vegetarian option.
• Deepen the flavor with spices: Smoked paprika, cumin, roasted garlic powder, red pepper flakes and Cajun spice would be delicious additions to this hoppin’ John recipe.
• Add vegetables: Near the end of cooking, add braised spinach, kale or collard greens, or stewed tomatoes directly to your skillet of piping-hot hoppin’ John.

How to Store Hoppin’ John

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to five days. To reheat, transfer leftovers to an oven-safe dish and warm through in a 325°F oven. If you microwave the leftovers, add a little extra broth.

Hoppin’ John Tips

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How do you make black-eyed peas from scratch for hoppin’ John?

If you want to start this recipe for hoppin’ John with dried beans, soak them beforehand for at least six hours—or use this method to soak dried beans quickly.

How do you serve hoppin’ John?

This comforting bowl of beans and rice is often served with collard greens, which represent paper money, and cornbread, which represents gold. Or, round out the meal with some delicious picks from our collection of southern sides.