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Best Instant Pot Hoppin John Recipe

Best Instant Pot Hoppin John Recipe

The Best Instant Pot Hoppin John Recipe is your ticket to a flavorful and traditional Southern dish, perfectly cooked with minimal effort. This easy-to-follow guide will walk you through creating a satisfying meal that's both delicious and steeped in culinary heritage, making it a must-try for your next family dinner or New Year's Day celebration.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Natural Release 15 minutes
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 pound dried black-eyed peas rinsed and sorted
  • 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option)
  • 1/2 pound smoked ham hock or 4 ounces smoked sausage sliced (optional, but highly recommended for flavor)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for a little kick)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish (optional)
  • Hot sauce for serving (optional)
  • Cooked white rice for serving

Equipment

  • Instant Pot

Method
 

  1. Press the "Sauté" button on your Instant Pot. Once hot, add the olive oil. Add the chopped onion, celery, and green bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften.
    1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 large yellow onion, 2 celery stalks, 1 green bell pepper
  2. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
    4 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  3. Add the diced tomatoes (undrained), rinsed and sorted black-eyed peas, chicken broth, smoked ham hock or sliced smoked sausage (if using), and bay leaves to the Instant Pot. Stir everything gently to combine.
    1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, 1 pound dried black-eyed peas, 6 cups chicken broth, 1/2 pound smoked ham hock or 4 ounces smoked sausage, 2 bay leaves
  4. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the venting knob is sealed. Select the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" setting and set the time for 25 minutes on high pressure.
  5. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for 15 minutes. This is crucial for achieving perfectly tender peas without them bursting.
  6. After 15 minutes of natural release, carefully turn the venting knob to the "Venting" position to release any remaining pressure. Once the float valve drops, open the lid.
  7. Carefully remove the ham hock (if used) and bay leaves. If using a ham hock, shred any meat from the bone and return it to the pot. Stir the Hoppin' John, then taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. The ham hock or sausage will add a lot of salt, so taste before adding more.
    1/2 pound smoked ham hock or 4 ounces smoked sausage, 2 bay leaves, Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  8. Ladle the hot Best Instant Pot Hoppin John Recipe over a bed of cooked white rice. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve with hot sauce on the side, if desired.
    Cooked white rice, Fresh parsley, Hot sauce

Notes

Proper storage is key to enjoying your Best Instant Pot Hoppin John Recipe for days to come. Store in an airtight container for 3-4 days in refrigerator or up to 3 months in freezer.
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