Hoppin' John

Classic southern Hoppin' John is made with black eyed peas, smoked sausage, vegetables, and served with rice. It's traditionally enjoyed on New Years Day for good luck throughout the year.

I grew up in southern Alabama where every New Years Day, we had to have black eyed peas for good luck in the new year. I still make them every year because why risk it?

This Hoppin' John recipe is adapted from my hometown newspaper. It's very simple - just black eyed peas, smoked sausage, and veggies simmered with diced tomatoes and chicken broth. But it all comes together to create a flavorful, comforting dish.

So whether you make it on New Years or just a random Tuesday in September like I did, it's going to be delicious and hopefully bring you some good luck!

Ingredients

• Black eyed peas - you want dried black eyed peas. They are going to soak in water overnight to soften them so they cook faster.
• Bacon - you are only going to use the bacon fat. So if you already have bacon fat in your fridge, you can skip cooking the bacon. The sausage and vegetables will be sauteed in the fat.
• Smoked sausage - you can use pork, turkey, whatever smoked sausage you like.
• Onion
• Green bell pepper
• Garlic
• Dried thyme - you can use fresh thyme if you have it.
• Bay leaves
• Cayenne - adjust this based on how spicy you like things.
• Petite diced tomatoes - I like to use the petite tomatoes in this so that you don't get big chunks. You can use regular diced tomatoes if you don't mind chunky tomatoes.
• Chicken broth - I recommend a low-sodium chicken broth so you can control how salty the finished dish is.
• Cooked rice - for serving.
• Green onions - optional, for serving. It adds a nice brightness to the finished dish.

How To Make Hoppin' John

• Soak beans. Place beans in a large mixing bowl and cover with water. Cover and let sit at room temperature overnight. Drain before beginning recipe.
• Prep. Cook bacon. Remove and set aside. (You won't be using the bacon so eat it or save it for something else. )
• Sauté. Add smoked sausage, onion, and bell pepper to the same pan and sauté in the bacon fat.
• Season. Add garlic, dried thyme, bay leaves, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
• Add. Add diced tomatoes and chicken broth.
• Cook. Cook for 2 hours, until beans are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
• Serve. Serve over cooked rice with green onions on top.

What To Serve With It?

Hoppin' John should be served with cooked white rice. It's also traditionally served with cornbread on the side.

You could serve it with greens for a double dose of good luck!

How Long Is It Good For?

Hoppin' John will be good for up to 3 days in the fridge. Make sure to store it in an airtight container.

You can reheat it in the microwave or stove. I like mine a little soup so I always add broth or water when I reheat it.

Can You Freeze It?

You can freeze Hoppin' John for up to 3 months. Make sure to use an airtight container.

When you are ready to serve it, let it defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat in the microwave or on the stove.

More One Pot Recipes

• One Pot Chicken Alfredo
• Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Tortellini
• Cheeseburger Mac
• One Pot Creamy Shells and Sausage
• Turkey Goulash

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