Southern Hoppin John: Creamy, dreamy, irresistible delight.

My First Time Making Hoppin’ John

My first pot of Hoppin’ John was a funny mess. I was just married and wanted to impress my husband. I used so much pepper, we both coughed!

I still laugh at that. Cooking is about trying, not being perfect. This matters because it helps you be brave in the kitchen. What was your first cooking adventure like?

Why We Eat This Dish

In the American South, we eat this on New Year’s Day. It is a very old tradition. The black-eyed peas are for good luck.

The greens would be for money, but we use celery here. It still counts! This matters because food connects us to our family’s past. Do you have a special food for good luck?

Let’s Talk Flavors

When you cook the onion and celery, your whole house will smell amazing. It smells like home. The smoked ham makes the broth rich and cozy.

The tomatoes with chilies add a little happy kick. It is not too spicy, just right. Fun fact: Black-eyed peas are not peas at all. They are a type of bean!

A Simple Tip for You

Do not rush the first step. Let the onions get soft and see-through. This makes the whole dish taste sweeter and better.

Good food does not need to be complicated. This matters because the simplest steps often make the biggest difference. What is your favorite simple cooking tip?

Making It Your Own

This recipe is very friendly. You can change it to be just how you like. Some folks use bacon instead of ham. Others add a big spoonful of hot sauce.

That is the best part of cooking. You get to be the boss of your own pot. I hope you give this a try and make some good luck for yourself.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
vegetable oil (or bacon grease)	1 tablespoon
onion, diced	1/2 medium
celery, diced	2 ribs
garlic, minced	3 cloves
unsalted chicken broth or stock	4 cups
chopped smoked ham (or 1 smoked ham hock)	1 1/2 cups
diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained	1 (10-ounce) can
frozen black-eyed peas	1 (1-pound) bag
salt	to taste
uncooked rice	2 cups	I like to use converted or parboiled rice

A Pot Full of Good Luck

Hello, my dear! Let’s talk about my Hoppin’ John. This isn’t just any old beans and rice. It’s a big, warm hug from the South. We always eat it on New Year’s Day. They say it brings good luck and pennies for the whole year ahead. I think it just brings happy, full bellies. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

The secret is in the slow simmer. You let those black-eyed peas get all tender and creamy. They soak up the flavor from the smoky ham. I like to use a big, heavy pot for this. It makes me think of my own grandma’s kitchen. She taught me this recipe when I was no taller than the counter.

Here is how we make our own pot of luck.

• Step 1: Grab your biggest, coziest pot. Warm up a little oil in the bottom. Toss in your chopped onion and celery. We just want them soft and smelling sweet. Listen for that gentle sizzle. It’s the sound of a good meal starting. Now stir in the minced garlic. (Don’t walk away from the garlic! It can burn in a blink and turn bitter.)
• Step 2: Now, pour in your broth. Add the ham and those zesty tomatoes with their juice. Bring it all to a happy little boil. This is when the magic starts. Next, stir in the frozen black-eyed peas. They will look like little pebbles at first. Let it all simmer with the lid on. The peas will become soft and perfect.
• Step 3: While the peas are bubbling away, cook your rice. Follow the directions on your rice bag. It’s the easiest way to get fluffy rice every time. I still laugh at the time I forgot to turn the rice cooker on. We had a very late dinner that night! When everything is ready, just spoon those saucy peas right over the rice. Do you have a favorite type of rice? Share below!

Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Dinner, Southern

Three Fun Twists to Try

This recipe is like a good friend. It’s wonderful just as it is. But it’s also happy to change its clothes for a new occasion. Feel free to play with your food! I do it all the time. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

• The Veggie Delight: Skip the ham! Use a spoonful of smoked paprika instead. It gives that smoky flavor without any meat. So good.
• The Spicy Kick: Add a chopped jalapeño with the onions. Or shake in some red pepper flakes. It will warm you right up.
• The Greens for Greens: Stir in a big handful of chopped kale at the very end. The luck is even better with greens, they say. They stand for dollar bills!

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

The Perfect Plate

Now, how should we serve this beautiful dish? I love a big, shallow bowl for my Hoppin’ John. It lets the rice and peas mingle just right. A sprinkle of green onion on top makes it look so pretty. It adds a nice little crunch, too. Sometimes I put a bottle of hot sauce on the table. Everyone can make their own bowl as spicy as they like.

For a drink, a tall glass of sweet iced tea is my go-to. It’s the classic Southern partner. For a grown-up treat, a cold lager beer is wonderful. It cuts through the richness of the ham. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Hoppin’ John Happy

This dish is even better the next day. Let it cool completely first. Then store it in the fridge for up to four days.

You can also freeze it for a quick future meal. I use freezer-safe containers. It keeps for about three months this way.

I remember my first big batch. I froze single portions for my busy son. He was so thankful for a home-cooked meal. Batch cooking saves time and money.

Reheat it gently on the stove with a splash of broth. This keeps it from drying out. A warm, ready meal makes any day better.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Troubles

Is your Hoppin’ John too soupy? Just take the lid off the pot. Let it simmer a bit longer. The extra liquid will cook away.

Are the black-eyed peas still too hard? They might need more time. Add a little more broth and keep cooking. I once served them a bit too firm. We just laughed and called them “al dente.”

Does it taste a little bland? Wait until the end to add salt. The ham makes it salty. Getting the flavor right makes you feel like a real cook.

This builds your confidence in the kitchen. A small fix can make a big difference. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Hoppin’ John Questions Answered

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free? A: Yes, it is naturally gluten-free. Just check your broth labels to be sure.

Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Absolutely. Make it the day before. The flavors get even richer.

Q: What if I don’t have ham? A: Use smoked turkey or sausage instead. It will still be delicious.

Q: Can I make a smaller portion? A: Yes, just cut the ingredients in half. It is easy to scale down.

Q: Any extra tips? A: A dash of hot sauce at the end is lovely. *Fun fact: Eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is said to bring good luck!* Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. It is a bowl of warm comfort. Cooking for others is a way to show you care.

I would be so happy to see your creation. Share a picture of your finished dish. It makes my day to see your kitchen successes.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking! —Anna Whitmore.