Crock Pot Hoppin' John

The Crock Pot Hoppin' John is a traditional Southern dish that combines black-eyed peas, rice, and savory seasonings into a hearty and flavorful meal, perfect for celebrating new beginnings or simply enjoying a comforting dinner. This slow-cooker version simplifies the classic, allowing you to achieve rich, deep flavors with minimal effort, making it ideal for busy weeknights or stress-free entertaining.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 8

Total Time 8 20

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Southern

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

1 pound dried black-eyed peas rinsed and picked over
8 cups chicken or vegetable broth low sodium preferred
1 pound smoked ham hock, ham shank, or flavorful smoked sausage (like Andouille or Kielbasa), diced
1 large yellow onion finely chopped
2 celery stalks finely chopped
1 green bell pepper finely chopped
4 cloves garlic minced
1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 ounce), undrained
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
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
Fresh chopped green onions or parsley for garnish (optional)
Hot sauce for serving (optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil

Equipment

Large Skillet or Dutch Oven
6-quart (or larger) Slow Cooker

Method

1. **Prepare the Aromatics:** In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and green bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 large yellow onion, 2 celery stalks, 1 green bell pepper, 4 cloves garlic
2. **Combine Ingredients in Crock Pot:** Transfer the sautéed vegetables to your 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker. Add the rinsed black-eyed peas, chicken or vegetable broth, smoked ham hock (or diced smoked sausage), diced tomatoes (undrained), dried thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), and bay leaves.
1 pound dried black-eyed peas, 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth, 1 pound smoked ham hock, ham shank, or flavorful smoked sausage, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 2 bay leaves
3. **Slow Cook:** Stir everything gently to combine. Cover the slow cooker and cook on **LOW for 6-8 hours** or on **HIGH for 3-4 hours**, or until the black-eyed peas are tender. The cooking time for dried peas can vary, so check for tenderness.
4. **Prepare the Rice (Separate Method for Best Results):** About 30-45 minutes before serving, cook 1 cup of long-grain white rice according to package directions. For optimal texture, it's best to cook the rice separately and stir it in at the end, rather than cooking it directly in the slow cooker with the peas, which can make the dish too starchy or mushy.
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
5. **Finish and Season:** Once the peas are tender, remove the ham hock (if using) from the slow cooker. If using a ham hock, shred the meat from the bone, discard the bone and any excess fat, and return the shredded ham to the slow cooker. Remove and discard the bay leaves.
6. **Combine and Serve:** Stir the cooked rice into the Crock Pot Hoppin' John. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. The amount of salt will depend on the saltiness of your broth and ham/sausage.
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
7. **Garnish:** Ladle the Crock Pot Hoppin' John into bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped green onions or parsley, and a dash of hot sauce if desired.
Fresh chopped green onions or parsley, Hot sauce

Notes

While not strictly necessary for slow cooking, soaking the black-eyed peas overnight can reduce cooking time slightly and make them more digestible. If you forget to soak, an hour-long "quick soak" (boil for 2 minutes, then let stand for an hour) works too.

Don't skip the smoked ham hock or quality smoked sausage! These are key to the traditional, smoky flavor profile. If you can't find them, a few drops of liquid smoke can be added, but it won't be quite the same.

For a perfect texture, cook the rice separately and stir it in *right before serving*. Adding it too early or cooking it directly in the slow cooker with the peas can lead to a mushy, starchy result that changes the overall consistency of the Hoppin' John.