In the southern United States, eating Hoppin John on New Year’s Day is thought to bring a prosperous year filled with good luck. Hoppin John is a pork-flavored stew of black-eyed peas and rice. The folklore varies about the origins of this West African–influenced dish.
According to Garden&Gun.com, no matter where the ritual comes from, one thing is for sure, the symbolism always stays the same: The beans represent coins, and the pork conveys optimism because pigs forage forward and don’t look back.
I feel kind of cheated that I was sick after new years and didn’t get the chance to share with you this recipe for Hoppin John. I know it is March, but I’m gonna share it with you now, so bear with the New Years garble and feast on this recipe!
Do you make New Year Resolutions? I don’t usually. Even when I quit smoking on New Years Day 3 years ago. It wasn’t my new year’s resolution. It wasn’t planned, it just happened.
However, I was diagnosed with Melanoma last year, so I figure a little southern ritual would NEVER hurt. So, I made Hoppin John for David and me on new years day. We made a meal off of this one-pot-wonder.
Let me show you how to make this southern dish!
Ingredients For Hoppin John:
- Dried black-eyed peas – these need to soak overnight prior to cooking.
- Chicken broth – to make a rich broth to stew the peas in.
- Diced tomatoes and green chilies – I use Rotel. The chiles are very mild and give the peas a nice flavor.
- Ham hock – provides a rich smoky flavor.
- Red bell pepper
- Onion
- Celery
- Jalapeños – can omit if you don’t like spicy food.
- Creole seasoning – I use Tony Chachere.
- Hot cooked Rice – This is for serving and it’s completely optional.
How To Make Hoppin John
The Evening Prior To Cooking:
Rinse and pick through the dried peas to remove any shriveled, broken, discolored, or blemished peas, loose skins, and other debris. Place the peas in a large bowl; add water to the beans until the water is covering by 2 to 3 inches over the peas. Soak overnight.
The Next Morning:
Strain the water from the peas and give them a rinse.
Add the peas to a large Dutch oven. Bring the peas, chicken broth, tomatoes, ham hock, pepper, onion, celery, jalapenos, and creole seasoning to a boil over medium-high heat.
Place the lid on the pot, reduce heat, and simmer 3 to 4 hours or until peas are tender.
Serve as is or with rice.
Time-Saving Tip: You could also use a crock-pot if desired. I am 100% positive they will turn out just as good!
This Hoppin John recipe was so good that I have been thinking about making them again. They could easily be cooked in a crock-pot and ready when you return home from a long day at work.
I hope you will try your luck with this southern dish too!
Hoppin John
Ingredients
- 16 ounce bag dried black-eyed peas
- 32 ounces chicken broth
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes and green chilies
- 1 ham hock
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 2 jalapeños seeded and minced
- 1 teaspoon creole seasoning
- Hot cooked rice (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse and pick through the dried peas to remove any shriveled, broken, discolored or blemished peas, loose skins and other debris. Place the peas in a large bowl; add water to the beans until the water is covering by 2 to 3 inches over the peas. Soak overnight.
- Strain the water from the peas and give them a rinse.
- Add them to a large Dutch oven. Bring the peas, chicken broth, tomatoes, ham hock, pepper, onion, celery, jalapenos and creole seasoning to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Place the lid on the pot, reduce heat, and simmer 3 to 4 hours or until peas are tender.
- Serve as is or with rice.
Patrons of the Pit says
That looks really good. I’ve never had Hoppin John before. Looks to me like it would be a fun low n slow recipe for a dutch over or something. The perfect company whilst hunkering down in a blizzard. Hmm. Belated or not, I’m glad you posted this!
The Mountain Kitchen says
This was our first time too. Yes, the perfect recipe for hunkering down, or throw it in the crock-pot and leave kind of meal. Either way it is good. I hope you will try it!
Dana@IveGotCake says
Wow weee!!
This is honestly the first time I’m hearing about Hoppinā John but my goodness, woman!
Happy New Year indeed, hahaha!!
The Mountain Kitchen says
Lmao! Happy New Year!
Julie at Hostess At Heart says
I’ve heard of Hoppin John but never knew what it was. It sounds delicious! I’m not a big one for resolutions either. Heck I make them every day, and sometimes the same one day after day! š
The Mountain Kitchen says
LOL! Julie, me too! You would love these peas! Have a great weekend!
Teresa I McCrary says
Haf left over ham from Christmas.. I used your recipe for Hoppin John. a New Years tradition. We love it.
The Mountain Kitchen says
Wonderful! Happy New Year!