Hoppin' John Recipe (Southern Black Eyed Peas)

This Hoppin’ John recipe is unbelievably satisfying and full of Southern comfort. It combines perfectly cooked black-eyed peas and tender vegetables with smoky, crispy bacon and fluffy white rice to make a hearty one-pot meal you will want to eat all year long, not just on New Year’s Day. Also known as Carolina peas and rice or simply black-eyed peas and rice, this Hoppin’ John is rich, savory, and deeply flavorful, the kind of dish that feels both rustic and special at the same time.

Why Everyone Loves This Hoppin' John Recipe

Peas and rice on their own do not exactly sound exciting, but Hoppin’ John is a completely different story. This black-eyed peas recipe is packed with so much flavor that I honestly crave it on a regular basis. The black-eyed peas simmer slowly with bacon, onion, celery, and bell pepper, so they soak up all that smoky, aromatic goodness. Then everything is served over rice (or cooked together with the rice, depending on your preference), which turns it into a complete, super satisfying meal. It is the kind of dish where you go back for seconds without thinking about it.

If you have never had Hoppin’ John before, it is a classic Southern dish traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day for good luck. Many people believe that starting the year with black-eyed peas symbolizes prosperity and good fortune. Beyond the tradition though, it is just genuinely delicious comfort food. The combination of seasoned black-eyed peas, bacon, rice, and the “trinity” of onion, celery, and bell pepper makes the kitchen smell amazing and the bowl in front of you incredibly inviting.

This recipe takes about an hour and a half from start to finish, but most of that time is hands off while the peas simmer on the stovetop, which leaves you plenty of time to make a simple side like Bisquick sausage balls, these sauteed green beans, or even these glazed carrots. It is budget-friendly, feeds a crowd, and has that “downright addictive” quality that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Ingredients for Hoppin' John

• 1 cup bacon
• 1 celery rib, diced
• ½ onion, diced
• ½ green bell pepper, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 ½ cups black-eyed peas
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• Salt
• 2 cups white rice, cooked
• Green onions to serve

You can use almost all of these ingredients to make this Instant Pot black eyed peas. It's another delicious black eyed peas recipe that's perfect to kick off the New Year with.

My Ingredient Substitution and Modifications

You can make this Hoppin’ John exactly as written, but it is also very flexible if you need to use what you have on hand or want to tweak the flavor a bit. Here are some easy swaps and add-ins that still keep it true to classic black-eyed peas and rice.

Bacon substitutes (for smoky flavor):

• Ham hocks
• Salt pork
• Smoked turkey wings or legs. Just make sure to remove bones and excess fat before serving.

Rice options:

• Long-grain white rice is the traditional choice
• Brown rice (add extra liquid and time, since it takes longer to cook)
• Carolina Gold rice for a more old-school Lowcountry vibe
• Jasmine or basmati, if that is what you have, just note that the texture will be slightly different.
• Pea choices (dried, canned, or frozen)

If needed, you can use:

• Canned black-eyed peas (drain and rinse; shorten the simmer time so they do not get mushy)
• Frozen black-eyed peas (no soaking needed; simmer until tender)
• Flavor boosters and add-ins

To add more Southern flair or make it a bit heartier, you can stir in:

• Collard greens or other leafy greens
• Field peas or crowder peas along with the black-eyed peas
• Cayenne pepper or hot sauce for extra heat
• Freshly ground black pepper and a squeeze of lemon or vinegar at the end to brighten the flavors

These tweaks let you customize your Hoppin’ John without losing what makes it special: smoky meat, tender black-eyed peas, and comforting rice in one bowl.

How To Make Hoppin John (Black-Eyed Peas and Rice)

Step 1: Cook the bacon

Set a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the bacon pieces in a single layer and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are browned and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the rendered bacon fat in the pot. You will use this fat to cook the vegetables and build flavor.

Step 2: Cook The Beans

To the same pot with the bacon drippings, add the chopped celery, onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until the onions are soft and translucent and the vegetables smell fragrant. This is your flavor base, so do not rush this step.

Step 3: Add the black-eyed peas, herbs, and water

Stir in the black-eyed peas, bay leaf, and thyme until everything is well combined with the vegetable mixture. Pour in 3 cups of water and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the mixture up to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat.

Step 4: Simmer until peas are tender

Once the pot reaches a simmer, reduce the heat to low and partially cover with a lid. Let the black-eyed peas simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and the broth has thickened slightly. If the liquid level gets too low or the peas are not yet tender, you can add a little extra water and continue simmering.

Step 5: Add the bacon back and finish

When the peas are cooked through and creamy, remove the bay leaf. Return the crispy bacon to the pot and stir it into the peas. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. To serve, spoon the hot Hoppin’ John over bowls of cooked white rice. Garnish with sliced green onions for a fresh, peppery bite. Enjoy as a main dish or alongside your favorite Southern sides.