Hoppin' John Recipe | Hallmark Ideas & Inspiration (2024)

FAQs

What is traditional Hoppin John? ›

Hoppin' John, also known as Carolina peas and rice, is a peas and rice dish served in the Southern United States. It is made with cowpeas, mainly, black-eyed peas and Sea Island red peas in the Sea Islands and iron and clay peas in the Southeast US, and rice, chopped onion, and sliced bacon, seasoned with salt.

What's the difference between Hoppin' John and black-eyed peas? Hoppin' John has black-eyed peas in it, but it also has other ingredients. In this recipe, the black-eyed peas are stewed with onion, garlic, celery, and a ham hock, similar to how some Southern-style black-eyed peas would be cooked.

Soak Them

You'll need at least six hours to rehydrate the black-eyed peas. Place them in a large bowl and add three cups of water for every one cup of peas. Cover, place in the refrigerator, and let the beans soak for six hours or overnight.

What Is Hoppin' John? Served on New Year's Day with a side of collard greens and cornbread, Hoppin' John is a hearty African-American dish made by slowly simmering black-eyed peas with pork and vegetables.

hoppin' John was, and still is, often eaten with collard greens, which can resemble paper money, and “golden” cornbread. The peas themselves represent coins. Some families boost the potential of their hoppin' John by placing a penny underneath the dishes—or adding extra pork, which is thought to bring more luck.

Hoppin' John is made with black-eyed peas and rice, chopped onion and sliced bacon. Some recipes substitute another type of field peas for the black-eyed peas. Others also may use ham hock, fatback or country sausage in place of the bacon.

The tradition of eating black-eyed peas for luck and prosperity dates back to the era of the Civil War. During tumultuous times, black-eyed peas were considered more of a humble food for livestock. However, they became a symbol of survival and resilience for enslaved Africans and later, freed African Americans.

Black-Eyed Peas: The Star of Hoppin' John

And depending on where you are from, you might not even call it that. It's simply black-eyed peas and rice. Hoppin' John is one of those classic Southern dishes that come with as many versions, stories, and flavors as there are cooks.

Navy beans contain significantly more calcium than black-eyed peas. Calcium is essential for the development and maintenance of strong bones and teeth and helps the heart, nerves, muscles and other body systems work properly.

Not soaking the black-eyed peas can slightly impact the texture, as they can take longer to cook and may be slightly firmer compared to soaked ones. However, the taste will remain similar whether you soak them or not.

Should I rinse canned black-eyed peas? ›

It is recommended to rinse canned black-eyed peas before cooking. Rinsing helps remove any excess sodium or brine that may be present from the canning process. Additionally, rinsing can help reduce the gas-producing carbohydrates that can cause discomfort.

Drain them the next day and bring them to a boil in cold water, then reduce the heat so the water barely simmers: dried black-eyed peas can overcook, and a rolling boil could cause them to break apart. Taste the peas often to check their doneness: They should be creamy but retain their shape.

Hoppin' John is traditionally served with collard greens, whose green color symbolizes wealth. The black-eyed peas are symbolic of coins (more good fortune), and an actual coin is sometimes added to the pot. This is where eating black-eyed peas on New Year's came from.

And our tastiest superstitious tradition is eating Hoppin' John on New Year's Day. This classic Southern dish, a one-pot meal of black-eyed peas, ham hock, and rice, is believed by many (not just the Sterlings) to ensure wealth and bring good luck in the upcoming year.

As for wine, an earthy Pinot Noir from either Burgundy or the New World will pair nicely with this dish (to view a selection of these wines from The Wine Atelier, please click here). I hope you enjoy this delicious Hoppin' John as much as we did!

The tradition of eating black-eyed peas for luck and prosperity dates back to the era of the Civil War. During tumultuous times, black-eyed peas were considered more of a humble food for livestock. However, they became a symbol of survival and resilience for enslaved Africans and later, freed African Americans.

Greens, pork, and cornbread, as well as black-eyed peas, cowpeas, or beans, are some of the typical symbolic foods served on New Year's Day. When planning your dinner menu, add the Southern foods that some say bring good luck and avoid those that may do just the opposite in the new year.

But, why is that? According to author and food scholar Adrian Miller, eating black eyed peas on New Years Eve or New Years Day promises good luck, health, and abundance. The bean has taken the form of good fortune and has even adopted a few different aliases along the way.