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slow cooker hoppin john

Slow Cooker Hoppin' John

This easy Slow Cooker Hoppin' John recipe is a traditional Southern dish made with black-eyed peas, rice, and savory seasonings. It's often served on New Year's Day for good luck and prosperity. This crockpot version makes it incredibly simple to prepare, letting your slow cooker do all the work.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 6 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Hoppin' John Ingredients
  • 1 pound dried black-eyed peas rinsed and sorted
  • 1 cup diced onion
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth low sodium
  • 1/2 pound smoked ham hock or bacon diced
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley or green onions for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • slow cooker
  • Cutting Board
  • knife

Method
 

  1. Rinse the dried black-eyed peas thoroughly under cold water and sort through them to remove any small stones or debris. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large slow cooker, combine the rinsed black-eyed peas, diced onion, celery, green bell pepper, minced garlic, broth, smoked ham hock (or diced bacon), smoked paprika, dried thyme, cayenne pepper (if using), and bay leaf. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.
  3. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours, or until the black-eyed peas are tender. If using a ham hock, remove it from the slow cooker, shred the meat, and discard the bone and skin. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker.
  4. About 30-45 minutes before serving, stir in the uncooked long-grain white rice. Ensure there is enough liquid; if the mixture seems too thick, add a little more broth or water. Continue cooking until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaf before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions, if desired, and serve warm.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, omit the ham hock/bacon and use vegetable broth. You can add a tablespoon of liquid smoke for a smoky flavor. Soaking the black-eyed peas overnight can reduce cooking time, but it's not strictly necessary for slow cooker recipes.