Easy Hoppin' John Recipe
The Easy Hoppin' John Recipe is a classic Southern dish that is simple, comforting and full of flavor. This dish combines black-eyed peas, rice and a touch of smoky bacon.
Ingredients
- Black-eyed peas canned or cooked – 2 cups
- Long-grain white rice – 1 cup
- Bacon – 4 slices chopped
- Onion – 1 medium diced
- Green bell pepper – 1 diced
- Celery – 1 stalk diced
- Garlic – 2 cloves minced
- Chicken broth – 2 cups
- Salt – ½ teaspoon
- Black pepper – ¼ teaspoon
- Hot sauce – optional to taste
- Fresh parsley – 1 tablespoon chopped
Instructions
Cook the bacon
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside. Keep drippings in the pan.
Cook the vegetables
- Add diced onion, bell pepper and celery to bacon drippings. Sauté until softened and fragrant.
Add garlic
- Add minced garlic to vegetables. Stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let it burn.
Add black-eyed peas
- Stir in black-eyed peas with vegetables. Mix well to combine and heat through.
Add rice and broth
- Add rice and chicken broth to the pan. Stir to distribute ingredients evenly.
Season the dish
- Add salt, black pepper and optional hot sauce. Stir gently to mix flavors.
Simmer
- Cover the pot. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
Combine with bacon
- Stir cooked bacon into the rice and pea mixture. Mix gently for even distribution.
Garnish
- Top with chopped parsley before serving. This adds fresh color and flavor to the dish.
Notes
- Use low-sodium broth if you want less salt.
- Rinse canned black-eyed peas before using.
- Adjust hot sauce for preferred spice level.
- Keep bacon drippings for better flavor.
- Stir occasionally to prevent rice from sticking.