The One Pot Southern Hoppin’ John is a beloved traditional dish, perfect for bringing good luck and flavor to your table, especially on New Year’s Day. This easy-to-follow recipe offers a comforting, wholesome meal, simplifying your cooking with its convenient one-pot preparation.
Key Ingredients for One Pot Southern Hoppin’ John
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound smoked sausage (such as Andouille or Kielbasa), sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
- 4 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little kick)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or green onions, chopped, for garnish
How to Make One Pot Southern Hoppin’ John
Get ready to effortlessly create a dish that’s incredibly easy to make, yet bursting with rich, satisfying flavor. The One Pot Southern Hoppin’ John comes together in a single pot, making clean-up a breeze while delivering a hearty, smoky, and subtly spicy meal that’s both comforting and nourishing. With a prep time of just 15 minutes and a cook time of 30-35 minutes, you’ll have a delicious, satisfying meal on the table in under an hour.
- Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Sausage: Stir in the minced garlic and sliced smoked sausage. Cook for another 3-5 minutes, allowing the sausage to brown slightly and release its delicious flavors.
- Combine Remaining Ingredients: Add the diced tomatoes (undrained), rinsed and drained black-eyed peas, chicken broth, rinsed long-grain white rice, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the pot. Stir everything to combine well.
- Bring to a Simmer: Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer and Cook Rice: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Avoid lifting the lid too often during this time to ensure even cooking.
- Fluff and Season: Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Then, fluff the Hoppin’ John with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Ladle the One Pot Southern Hoppin’ John into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley or green onions. Serve hot.
Why You’ll Love This One Pot Southern Hoppin’ John
You are absolutely going to adore this One Pot Southern Hoppin’ John for its incredible simplicity and heartwarming flavor. Its main feature is the harmonious blend of smoky sausage, tender black-eyed peas, and fluffy rice, all cooked together in one pot, creating a deeply satisfying meal. This not only makes for a straightforward cooking process but also an incredibly easy cleanup, transforming weeknight dinners into a stress-free experience. Plus, crafting this Southern classic at home is far more economical and wholesome than any store-bought alternative or takeout, allowing you to control the quality of ingredients and seasonings.
The richness of the smoked sausage, the earthy goodness of the black-eyed peas, and the bright freshness of a cilantro or green onion garnish elevate this dish beyond a simple meal. Unlike a plain rice and beans, this Hoppin’ John boasts a complex flavor profile that’s vibrant and comforting. Go ahead, give this recipe a try; your taste buds (and your wallet!) will thank you.
What to Serve One Pot Southern Hoppin’ John With
This versatile One Pot Southern Hoppin’ John pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, enhancing its Southern charm. Here are some delightful suggestions:
- Cornbread: A classic pairing, a warm, buttery slice of cornbread is perfect for soaking up all the delicious juices.
- Collard Greens: Stewed collard greens, often cooked with a bit of ham hock or bacon, provide a lovely bitter contrast and a true Southern experience.
- Fresh Green Salad: A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette can offer a refreshing textural and flavor contrast.
- Hot Sauce: For those who love a little extra heat, a dash of your favorite hot sauce is always welcome.
- Pickled Okra: The tangy crunch of pickled okra adds a unique Southern touch that complements the richness of the Hoppin’ John.
Top Tips for Perfecting One Pot Southern Hoppin’ John
To ensure your One Pot Southern Hoppin’ John is absolutely delicious every time, keep these tips in mind:
- Ingredient Quality Matters: Choose a good quality smoked sausage for the best flavor; Andouille or Kielbasa work wonderfully. Opt for high-quality chicken broth as it forms the base of your liquid.
- Rinsing the Rice: Don’t skip rinsing your long-grain white rice. This removes excess starch, preventing the dish from becoming overly gummy and ensuring fluffy grains.
- Black-Ey Pea Prep: If using canned black-eyed peas, always rinse them thoroughly to remove excess sodium and improve their texture. If using dried black-eyed peas, soak them overnight and cook them separately before adding to the pot to ensure they are fully tender.
- Don’t Overstir: Once you add the rice and broth, avoid excessive stirring. Too much stirring can break down the rice grains and make the dish starchy.
- Resting Time is Key: After cooking, let the Hoppin’ John rest, covered, for 5 minutes. This allows the rice to fully absorb any remaining liquid and steam, resulting in perfectly tender and separate grains.
- Flavor Boosters: A bay leaf added during the simmer can enhance the savory depth. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of liquid smoke or a small amount of leftover ham hock or bacon drippings when sautéing the aromatics.
- Adjusting Spice: If you prefer less heat, omit the cayenne pepper. For more spice, you can increase it or add a few dashes of hot sauce at the end.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Proper storage ensures your One Pot Southern Hoppin’ John remains delicious for longer, making it perfect for meal prep!
- Refrigeration: Allow the Hoppin’ John to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Store it in individual portions for quick, grab-and-go meals.
- Freezing: This dish freezes beautifully. Once cooled, transfer the Hoppin’ John to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating (Refrigerator): For best results, reheat individual portions in a microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, or in a saucepan over medium-low heat on the stovetop. If it seems a little dry, add a splash of chicken broth or water to restore moisture.
- Reheating (Frozen): Thaw frozen Hoppin’ John overnight in the refrigerator. Reheat using the stovetop or microwave method as described above. Alternatively, you can reheat directly from frozen in a saucepan on low heat, stirring frequently and adding liquid as needed, though this will take longer.
Final Thoughts
This One Pot Southern Hoppin’ John truly delivers on flavor and convenience, making it a perfect addition to any meal rotation, especially for those seeking a comforting, hearty dish. Don’t hesitate to give this recipe a try; you’ll be delighted by how easy it is to achieve such a delicious and satisfying meal right in your own kitchen.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
One Pot Southern Hoppin’ John
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5-7 minutes.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 medium yellow onion, 1 green bell pepper, 2 stalks celery
- Stir in the minced garlic and sliced smoked sausage. Cook for another 3-5 minutes, allowing the sausage to brown slightly and release its delicious flavors.2 cloves garlic, 1 pound smoked sausage
- Add the diced tomatoes (undrained), rinsed and drained black-eyed peas, chicken broth, rinsed long-grain white rice, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the pot. Stir everything to combine well.1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, 1 15 ounce can black-eyed peas, 4 cups chicken broth, 1 cup long-grain white rice, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Avoid lifting the lid too often during this time to ensure even cooking.
- Once the rice is cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Then, fluff the Hoppin’ John with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.Salt, freshly ground black pepper
- Ladle the One Pot Southern Hoppin’ John into bowls and garnish with fresh chopped parsley or green onions. Serve hot.Fresh parsley or green onions