Hoppin’ John is a traditional New Year’s Day dish. It is said that eating this black-eyed peas dish on January 1 will bring luck all year long!
Traditionally, Hoppin’ John is a one-pot recipe. The Southern-style classic uses thick-cut bacon as opposed to a ham hock (which can overpower the dish).
We also kept the recipe simple, but you can certainly add ingredients including: finely sliced celery, chopped green pepper, sliced scallions, and chopped garlic. For more flavor, use chicken broth instead of water.
No matter what your variation, these three ingredients make a Hoppin’ John: the pork, the peas, and the rice.
Wondering why it is called Hoppin’ John? Learn more at our Hoppin’ John page!
In a Dutch oven, cook bacon add onions until bacon is crisp and onions are soft. Add black-eyed peas, rice, 1 cup of water, and red pepper flakes. Cover and simmer over low heat until rice is cooked, about 20 to 25 minutes. Toss with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
