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Slow Cooker Hoppin’ John: A Southern Classic Made Easy

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Slow Cooker Hoppin’ John is a hearty Southern dish made easy with tender black-eyed peas, smoky meat, and flavorful aromatics slow-cooked to perfection. Served over rice, it’s a comforting and symbolic meal ideal for holidays or everyday.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1½ cups dried black-eyed peas, soaked overnight (or 2 cans, drained)

  • 1 smoked ham hock (or 8 oz andouille sausage, diced)

  • 1 small onion, diced

  • 1 celery stalk, diced

  • 1 bell pepper, diced

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 tsp dried thyme

  • ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)

  • Salt and black pepper to taste

  • 4 cups cooked white or brown rice (for serving)

  • Hot sauce and chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  • (Optional) Sauté onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic in a skillet until softened.

  • Add sautéed vegetables, black-eyed peas, ham hock, broth, bay leaf, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.

  • Cover and cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 4–5 hours, until peas are tender.

  • Remove ham hock, shred meat, and return to the pot. Discard bay leaf.

  • Taste and adjust seasoning.

  • Serve over hot cooked rice with optional parsley or hot sauce.

Notes

  • Add canned peas in the last hour of cooking to avoid overcooking.

  • Use smoked turkey or vegetarian substitutions as needed.

  • Freeze leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 months.

  • For more broth-like texture, add an extra cup of stock.

Find it online: https://feasttrove.com/slow-cooker-hoppin-john-a-southern-classic-made-easy/