Slow Cooker Hoppin’ John

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is effortless, flavorful, and comforting. The slow cooker does all the work, allowing the ingredients to meld together into a warm, aromatic meal. It’s packed with protein, fiber, and smoky spices—perfect as a main dish or side. Whether you’re cooking for tradition, meal prep, or a cozy family dinner, this dish delivers soul-warming flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and sorted
• Smoked sausage or vegan sausage (optional)
• Yellow onion, diced
• Celery, chopped
• Green bell pepper, chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Long-grain white rice (or brown rice for extra fiber)
• Vegetable or chicken broth
• Smoked paprika
• Dried thyme
• Bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper
• Hot sauce or cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
• Chopped scallions or parsley, for garnish

Directions

1. Rinse and sort the dried black-eyed peas, removing any debris.
2. In a slow cooker, combine the peas, onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic, sausage (if using), smoked paprika, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour in the broth and stir well to combine.
4. Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until the peas are tender.
5. Remove the bay leaf, then stir in the uncooked rice. Add additional broth if needed to cover the rice.
6. Cover again and cook on high for 30–40 minutes, until the rice is fully cooked and the mixture has thickened.
7. Adjust seasoning to taste, adding hot sauce or cayenne if desired.
8. Serve warm, garnished with chopped scallions or parsley.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 6–8 people.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 8 hours (on low)
Total time: approximately 8 hours and 15 minutes

Variations

• Vegan version: Use vegetable broth and omit or replace the sausage with vegan sausage or smoked tempeh.
• Spicy kick: Add diced jalapeños or a teaspoon of hot sauce for extra heat.
• Smoky flavor: Stir in a dash of liquid smoke or use smoked paprika for depth.
• Rice alternatives: Substitute rice with quinoa or farro for a hearty twist.
• Shortcut version: Use canned black-eyed peas and reduce cook time to 2–3 hours on low.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove over medium heat with a splash of broth or water to loosen the mixture. You can also freeze Hoppin’ John for up to 3 months—thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

FAQs

What is Hoppin’ John?

Hoppin’ John is a traditional Southern dish made with black-eyed peas, rice, and smoky seasonings—often served for good luck on New Year’s Day.

Can I use canned black-eyed peas?

Yes, but add them later in the cooking process to prevent them from becoming too soft.

What kind of rice works best?

Long-grain white rice gives the best texture, but brown rice can be used for a nuttier flavor (increase cooking time slightly).

Do I need to soak the black-eyed peas?

It’s not required when using a slow cooker, but soaking overnight can shorten the cook time.

Can I make this dish vegetarian or vegan?

Absolutely—just use vegetable broth and skip the meat or substitute with plant-based sausage.

How can I make this dish more flavorful?

Try adding smoked paprika, liquid smoke, or a splash of hot sauce to enhance the flavor depth.

What goes well with Hoppin’ John?

It pairs perfectly with collard greens, cornbread, or sautéed cabbage.

Can I cook it overnight?

Yes, cook on low overnight, then stir in rice in the morning about 40 minutes before serving.

Why is it called “Hoppin’ John”?

The origin is unclear, but it’s believed to have African and Caribbean roots, with the name evolving from Creole dialects.

Can I use ham hock instead of sausage?

Yes, a smoked ham hock or turkey leg adds incredible flavor—just remove the bones before serving.

Conclusion

Slow Cooker Hoppin’ John is a warm, comforting dish filled with tradition, flavor, and heart. Whether you’re serving it for New Year’s luck or a cozy weeknight meal, this easy slow cooker recipe delivers perfectly tender black-eyed peas, fluffy rice, and savory seasoning with every bite. Simple, nourishing, and full of soul, it’s a true Southern classic made effortlessly modern.

Slow Cooker Hoppin’ John

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Slow Cooker Hoppin’ John is a classic Southern comfort dish made easy—featuring tender black-eyed peas, smoky spices, and rice slow-cooked to perfection. Traditionally served for good luck on New Year’s Day, this hearty and flavorful meal is perfect for cozy dinners any time of year.

• Author: Laura
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (on low)
• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: Southern

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and sorted
• 8 oz smoked sausage or vegan sausage (optional), sliced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup long-grain white rice (or brown rice)
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Hot sauce or cayenne pepper (optional)
• Chopped scallions or parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Rinse and sort the black-eyed peas, removing any debris.
2. In a slow cooker, combine peas, onion, celery, bell pepper, garlic, sausage (if using), smoked paprika, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour in the broth and stir well to combine.
4. Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours, until peas are tender.
5. Remove the bay leaf, then stir in the uncooked rice. Add extra broth if needed to cover the rice.
6. Cover again and cook on high for 30–40 minutes, until the rice is cooked and mixture has thickened.
7. Adjust seasoning to taste, adding hot sauce or cayenne if desired.
8. Serve warm, garnished with chopped scallions or parsley.

Notes

• No need to soak peas when cooking in a slow cooker, though soaking overnight can reduce cooking time.
• For a vegan version, use vegetable broth and plant-based sausage or smoked tempeh.
• Brown rice may require 15–20 minutes longer to cook.
• Pairs perfectly with collard greens and cornbread for a complete Southern meal.
• Leftovers reheat beautifully and taste even better the next day as flavors meld.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 580mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fiber: 8g
• Protein: 14g
• Cholesterol: 10mg