Description

Hoppin’ John is a classic Southern dish traditionally enjoyed on New Year’s Day to bring good luck and prosperity. This hearty recipe combines black-eyed peas, rice, and smoky bacon for a comforting meal that’s delicious any time of year.

Ingredients

Scale

4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 small green bell pepper, diced
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 can (15 ounces) black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
Sliced green onions, for garnish
Hot sauce, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

Cook the Bacon:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp.
- Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels to drain.
- Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the skillet.
Sauté Vegetables:
- Add the diced green bell pepper and onion to the skillet with the bacon drippings.
- Sauté over medium heat until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
Add Rice and Seasonings:
- Stir in the uncooked rice, ensuring it is well coated with the vegetable mixture.
- Add the chicken broth, bay leaf, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
Add Black-Eyed Peas and Bacon:
- After 15 minutes, stir in the rinsed and drained black-eyed peas and the cooked bacon.
- Cover and continue to simmer for an additional 10 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Finish and Serve:
- Remove the bay leaf and fluff the Hoppin’ John with a fork.
- Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with sliced green onions and a dash of hot sauce if desired.

Notes

For added depth of flavor, consider using smoked ham hock or andouille sausage in place of bacon.
If using dried black-eyed peas, soak them overnight and cook them separately before adding to the dish.
Serving Hoppin’ John with collard greens and cornbread is a traditional Southern New Year’s Day meal, symbolizing coins, paper money, and gold, respectively.