Hoppin’ John Recipe
Dec 27, 2019, Updated Dec 27, 2025
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This Hoppin’ John recipe is a classic Southern one-pot dish made with black-eyed peas, ham, and rice. Traditionally served on New Year’s Day for good luck and prosperity, this easy comfort food recipe is perfect for ringing in the new year.
An Easy Hoppin’ John Recipe For Good Luck
This Hoppin’ John recipe is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover Christmas ham, making it perfect for the days between Christmas and New Year’s. Black-eyed peas, rice, smoky ham, and simple ingredients come together into a cozy, meaningful dish that’s traditionally served on New Year’s Day for luck and prosperity.
Why You’ll Love This Hoppin’ John Recipe
- One pan. Everything cooks together in one skillet, which means big flavor and minimal cleanup. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a relaxed New Year’s Day meal.
- Perfect for leftovers. This is a great way to use up leftover Christmas ham. The smoky, salty bits add incredible flavor to the black-eyed peas and rice. Bacon works too if that’s what you’ve got.
- Pantry ingredients. Black-eyed peas, rice, onion, and a handful of basics make a comforting, satisfying dish.
- Traditional New Year’s good luck food. Hoppin’ John is a classic Southern New Year’s Day recipe, traditionally served to bring luck, prosperity, and good fortune in the year ahead. No guarantees… but we’ll take all the good vibes we can get.
What Is Hoppin’ John?
Hoppin’ John, also known as Carolina peas and rice, is a black-eyed peas and rice dish served in the Southern United States, and it’s a traditional New Year’s Day dish.
According to legend, beans, in some cultures, represent fortune and growth because of their shape – they look like coins and thus represent prosperity. In the South (USA), black-eyed peas symbolize good luck and are traditionally prepared on New Year’s Day for good fortune in the coming year.
How To Make This Hoppin’ John in a Skillet
Here’s the way I do Hoppin’ John, which is wonderful because A) I made it, B) it’s the best way to use up leftover ham, and C) one skillet brings it all together, beautifully and deliciously.
- Sauté the aromatics and ham. Heat oil in a large skillet and cook the diced onion until softened. Stir in the garlic and diced ham and cook until everything is heated through and lightly browned.
- Add the rice, liquids, and seasonings. Stir in the quick-cooking rice, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, and seasonings until well combined.
- Simmer until tender. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Taste and finish. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed, then remove from heat. Spoon into bowls and serve as-is or with your favorite New Year’s sides and dinner rolls.
How To Store Leftovers
- Fridge. Store completely cooled leftovers in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.
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Hoppin’ John Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- pinch of salt
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cooked diced ham
- 1 cup quick cooking rice, (Minute Rice)
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 15.5 ounces can of black-eyed peas, well rinsed and drained
- 14.5 ounces can of diced tomatoes, drained
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Sauté the aromatics. Heat the oil in a large heavy bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and a pinch of salt, and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and ham and continue to cook for 4 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add rice, seasonings, and remaining ingredients. Stir in the rice, seasoned salt, paprika, and pepper. Add the vegetable broth and mix in the black-eyed peas, then stir in the tomatoes. Set the heat on high and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer. Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to a simmer; continue to cook for 10 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Finish and serve. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the parsley before serving.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
I’d like to try it but I’ll replace it with cauliflower rice and leave out the tomatoes. I’d also think about trying it with lentils as well.