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Hoppin’ John Rice and Black-Eyed Peas Recipe

Hoppin John rice and black-eyed peas - featured image
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A classic Southern comfort dish featuring tender black-eyed peas, fluffy rice, and smoky bacon, all simmered together for a hearty, flavorful meal. Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or cozy weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup dried black-eyed peas (or 2 cans, drained and rinsed)
  • 4 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups water or broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped (or smoked turkey)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 celery stalk, diced
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional garnish)
  • Hot sauce (optional, to taste)

Instructions

  1. Rinse dried black-eyed peas under cold water. Place in a large pot, cover with 4 cups water, and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let soak for 1 hour. Drain and set aside. (Skip this step if using canned peas; just drain and rinse.)
  2. In a Dutch oven or large pot, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy (about 5-7 minutes). Remove bacon bits and set aside, leaving fat in the pot.
  3. Add diced onion, celery, and green bell pepper to the pot. Sauté in bacon fat until soft and fragrant (about 6 minutes). Stir in garlic, smoked paprika, black pepper, and bay leaf. Cook another minute.
  4. Add soaked (or canned) black-eyed peas to the pot. Pour in 4 cups water or broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes, until peas are tender but not mushy.
  5. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water or broth to a boil. Add rice and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15-18 minutes until rice is fluffy.
  6. Remove bay leaf from peas. Taste and adjust seasoning. Gently fold cooked rice into the pea mixture, or serve peas ladled over rice.
  7. Sprinkle reserved bacon and chopped parsley on top. Serve warm with hot sauce if desired.

Notes

For vegetarian, use olive oil and mushrooms instead of bacon. For gluten-free, double-check broth and bacon labels. Leftovers taste even better the next day and freeze well. Adjust seasonings to taste and add hot sauce or lemon for brightness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Hoppin John, black-eyed peas, rice, Southern comfort food, easy dinner, New Year's recipe, gluten-free, bacon, family meal

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