Simple Vegetarian Hoppin John

Savor the comforting flavors of the South with this Simple Vegetarian Hoppin' John, a plant-based twist on a classic soul food dish. Packed with hearty black-eyed peas, aromatic vegetables, and a zesty blend of smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper, this one-pot recipe delivers bold, smoky flavor in every spoonful. Simmered to tender perfection in vegetable broth and served over fluffy white rice, it’s a satisfying and wholesome meal perfect for any day of the week. Garnished with fresh scallions and parsley, and a splash of hot sauce if you'd like, this quick and easy vegetarian recipe is ready in under an hour. Whether you're celebrating New Year’s Day or just seeking a cozy vegan dinner idea, this Hoppin’ John is a delicious nod to tradition!

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 2 medium, diced celery stalks
• 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.25 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup dried black-eyed peas
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 3 sliced (for garnish) scallions
• 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional garnish) fresh parsley
• 1 splash per serving (optional) hot sauce

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried black-eyed peas thoroughly under cold water and set them aside. No soaking is required for this recipe if using dried peas.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion, celery, and green bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic, smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper. Stir well and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Step 4

Pour in the vegetable broth and stir to combine. Add the rinsed black-eyed peas, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 5

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the black-eyed peas are tender. Add more broth if needed to keep the mixture from drying out.

Step 6

While the black-eyed peas are cooking, prepare the rice according to the package instructions. Set aside and keep warm.

Step 7

Once the black-eyed peas are fully cooked, remove and discard the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 8

To serve, spoon a scoop of cooked rice into a bowl, then ladle the black-eyed pea mixture over it. Garnish with sliced scallions and fresh parsley, if desired. Add a splash of hot sauce for extra heat, if preferred.

Step 9

Serve immediately and enjoy your Simple Vegetarian Hoppin' John!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2172.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1385.3

Total Fat 52.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 8.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.9g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5438.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 193.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 39.3g	0%
Total Sugars 38.7g
Protein 44.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 524.4mg	0%
Iron 17.2mg	0%
Potassium 4288.3mg	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: 33.1%

Protein: 12.4%

Carbs: 54.6%