Meatless Hopping John

Celebrate Southern comfort food with a modern, plant-based twist in this vibrant Meatless Hopping John recipe! Packed with earthy black-eyed peas, perfectly tender long-grain rice, and aromatic vegetables like onion, bell pepper, and celery, this meat-free version of the classic dish retains all the soulful flavors you love. Infused with smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, and a dash of optional cayenne for a smoky, slightly spiced kick, it’s a hearty, one-pot wonder that’s easy to make and deeply satisfying. The recipe comes together in just 45 minutes, making it a fantastic option for weeknight dinners or New Year’s Day traditions. Garnish with fresh parsley and green onions for a burst of color and extra freshness. Whether you’re embracing a vegetarian lifestyle or simply seeking a flavorful, wholesome meal, this Meatless Hopping John is sure to become a household favorite. Perfect for serving to four and sure to deliver comfort in every bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 82/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 medium Yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium Green bell pepper, diced
• 1 stalk Celery stalk, diced
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional)
• 2 cups (canned or cooked) Black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
• 3 cups Vegetable broth
• 1 cup Long-grain white rice, rinsed
• 1 leaf Bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• 2 stalks Green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the black-eyed peas, vegetable broth, rinsed rice, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine.

Step 5

Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and has absorbed most of the liquid.

Step 6

Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Discard the bay leaf.

Step 7

Fluff the rice and black-eyed pea mixture with a fork. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 8

Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley and sliced green onions.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1811.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1373.0

Total Fat 38.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4240.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 213.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 45.5g	0%
Total Sugars 36.1g
Protein 53.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 473.5mg	0%
Iron 17.8mg	0%
Potassium 3553.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 24.4%

Protein: 15.1%

Carbs: 60.5%