New Year's Hopping John

Kick off the New Year with a bowl of soulful comfort by whipping up New Year's Hopping John, a Southern classic steeped in tradition and flavor. Featuring tender black-eyed peas, smoky bacon, and a savory ham hock, this dish is simmered to perfection with aromatic spices like smoked paprika and thyme. The addition of fluffy long-grain rice makes it a hearty, one-pot meal that’s as satisfying as it is symbolic—believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. Garnish with vibrant green onions and a splash of hot sauce for a pop of freshness and heat. Perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying leftovers, this recipe captures the essence of Southern hospitality in every bite. Keywords: Hopping John recipe, Southern black-eyed peas dish, New Year's Day meal, lucky New Year recipes, one-pot comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried black-eyed peas
• 4 cups water
• 4 bacon slices
• 1 smoked ham hock
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 green onions (optional, for garnish)
• 0 hot sauce (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried black-eyed peas under cold water and inspect for any debris or stones. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large pot, add the water and bring to a boil. Add the black-eyed peas, cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes to partially cook them. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon, crumble it, and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.

Step 4

Add the smoked ham hock to the pot and sear it for 2-3 minutes on each side to develop flavor.

Step 5

Dice the yellow onion and mince the garlic cloves. Add them to the pot with the ham hock and sauté in the bacon fat until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the bay leaf, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper, cooking for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 7

Return the partially cooked black-eyed peas to the pot and add the chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 8

Add the long-grain white rice, crumbled bacon, salt, and black pepper to the pot. Stir everything together and ensure the rice is fully submerged in the liquid.

Step 9

Cover the pot and simmer over low heat for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 10

Once cooked, remove the ham hock and shred any meat from the bone, returning the meat to the pot.

Step 11

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Discard the bay leaf before serving.

Step 12

Serve hot, garnished with sliced green onions and a dash of hot sauce, if desired. Enjoy this hearty dish as a delicious start to the New Year!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2122.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1067.8

Total Fat 45.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 12.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.2g
Cholesterol 106mg	0%
Sodium 5671.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 113.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.5g	0%
Total Sugars 12.6g
Protein 57.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 262.2mg	0%
Iron 11.4mg	0%
Potassium 1836.7mg	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: 37.5%

Protein: 21.0%

Carbs: 41.5%