Might anybody else use a bit of luck this yr? How a couple of quick, wholesome dinner? In case your reply to both query is a convincing sure, then this Hoppin’ John recipe is for you!

A savory, smoky mixture of black-eyed peas, rice, and greens, Hoppin’ John is a conventional New Yr’s Day meal within the South.
It’s additionally straightforward to make, richly flavored, and, in case you observe this explicit wholesome vegetarian Hoppin’ John recipe, contains each meals group in a single pot.
Now, I cannot fake it is a conventional Southern Hoppin’ John recipe.
This explicit model is made with out pork. That’s proper, Hoppin’ John with out bacon, ham, or sausage (!).
I’d apologize to the skeptics, however contemplating how tasty it turned out, and that it may be in your desk in minutes as a substitute of hours (like these different 30-minute recipe wonders), I’m hoping you’ll simply belief me and do that solely vegan and vegetarian adaptation.
With oodles of wholesome veggies, protein-packed beans, and whole-grain brown rice, this dish will nourish you from the within out and begin your New Yr’s Day without work proper.

5 Star Evaluate
“This was glorious! WOW! I did all the things to a T, however I doubled it to share. Actually, actually good! Thanks for an ideal veggie change! Yummmmm!”
— Janice —
What Does Hoppin’ John Imply?
Hoppin’ John is a straightforward however wealthy pea, rice, and pork dish generally known as Carolina Peas and Rice.
Whereas there are a number of debated meanings of the particular phrases “Hoppin’ John,” essentially the most generally accepted clarification is that it’s a corruption of the French phrase pois à pigeon, which suggests “pigeon peas.”
Like a lot else about this recipe, nevertheless, loads of folks disagree with that concept too.
Hoppin’ John Historical past
- The primary Hoppin’ John recipe appeared in The Carolina Housewife in 1857 and known as for one pint of rice, one pint of peas, and one pound of bacon. Right now, there are lots of variations of the recipe, now together with this one.
- Hoppin’ John is historically served with collard greens, whose inexperienced shade symbolizes wealth.
- The black-eyed peas are symbolic of cash (extra luck), and an precise coin is usually added to the pot. That is the place consuming black-eyed peas on New Yr’s got here from.
My conclusion: We are going to all the time be debating why it’s known as Hoppin’ John (and Eggs in Purgatory).
Let’s accomplish that over a shared plate of this aromatic, soul-satisfying meal, we could?

The Best Vegetarian Hoppin’ John
In search of a Hoppin’ John recipe that may be wholesome and weeknight-friendly, I took just a few departures from the standard model to create a vegetarian model that has the spirit of the unique however with a shorter prep time and a extra full dietary profile.
(Don’t miss these different vegetarian recipe favorites.)
The Substances
- Greens. Bell peppers, celery, and carrots make this dish colourful and scrumptious. Each has its personal distinctive well being advantages and provides texture.
- Spices. Whereas this isn’t a spicy Hoppin’ John recipe, the smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper make this dish extremely flavorful. A beneficiant spoonful of smoked paprika presents the identical addictive, smoky taste as bacon. YUM!
- Kale. Collard greens are swapped for kale on this model of the recipe. It cooks extra rapidly and has oodles of dietary advantages.
- Black-Eyed Peas. Regardless of their title, black-eyed peas usually are not peas (difficult!). They belong to a household known as “pulses,” a gaggle that features different stellar wholesome components corresponding to chickpeas, lentils, dry peas, and plenty of beans. Along with their ties to luck, black-eyed peas are wholesome. They’re wealthy in fiber and protein.
TIP!
Moderately than fuss with soaking dried black-eyed peas for hours, swap canned blacked eyed peas. Make sure to rinse and drain them earlier than including them to the recipe.
- Hearth-Roasted Tomatoes. Smoky, deep taste within the comfort of a can.
- Brown Rice. Rather than the extra basic Carolina gold rice, I used whole-grain brown rice on this recipe. (This Lemon Rice is one other favourite rice recipe.)
The Instructions

- Sauté the greens.

- Stir within the spices.

- Add the kale. Prepare dinner till wilted, then add the peas and tomatoes. Serve with rice. ENJOY!
Storage Suggestions
- To Retailer. Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic storage container for as much as Four days.
- To Reheat. Rewarm this recipe in a Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium-low warmth.
- To Freeze. Retailer leftovers in an hermetic freezer-safe storage container within the freezer for as much as Three months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Leftover Concepts
- Add an Egg. Serve leftovers with a fried egg excessive for a protein-packed and flavorful brunch thought.
- Hoppin’ John Soup. Add the leftovers to a Dutch oven, and pour in some vegetable broth to create a hearty soup. I wish to serve it with an enormous piece of Rosemary Olive Oil Bread or No Knead Focaccia to take in the yummy broth.
What to Serve with Hoppin’ John
With complete grains, veggies, and protein, this recipe is a good wholesome meal by itself. Or pair it with one in every of these stellar sides:
Really useful Instruments to Make this Recipe
The Finest Dutch Oven
A high-quality Dutch oven is a worthy funding. It should final you a lifetime and is beneficial in SO many alternative recipes.

Each time I make this recipe, I really feel lucky to have such a useful, wholesome dinner in my again pocket. I hope it leaves you feeling fortunate too!
Continuously Requested Questions
Sure! Whereas not all Hoppin’ John recipes are gluten free, this one is protected to serve to these with gluten sensitivities.
This vegan Hoppin’ John recipe is full of plant-based protein, fiber, and vitamin-rich greens. In contrast to basic Hoppin’ John recipes that will comprise bacon, ham, or sausage, this wholesome Hoppin’ John recipe is decrease in fats, ldl cholesterol, and energy.
Sure. Historically, deep south Hoppin’ John recipes are loved heat. I’ve loved this vegetarian Hoppin’ John recipe at room temperature too.
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 massive inexperienced bell pepper diced
- 1 massive purple bell pepper diced
- 3 stalks celery
- 4 medium carrots peeled and diced (about 10 ounces)
- 3 massive cloves garlic minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper plus extra to style
- 1 small bunch kale trimmed and chopped (about eight ounces)
- 2 cans (15-ounces) black-eyed peas drained and rinsed (about Three 1/2 cups)
- 1 can (14-ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- Ready brown rice for serving
- Chopped inexperienced onions elective for serving
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Warmth the oil in a big, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium warmth. Add the purple and inexperienced bell peppers, celery, carrots, and garlic and prepare dinner, stirring sometimes, till starting to brown, about eight minutes.
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Stir within the smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and cayenne. Prepare dinner, stirring, for 30 seconds.
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Working in small handfuls, stir within the kale, stirring after every addition to let it wilt barely earlier than including one other handful. Prepare dinner and stir till you possibly can match all the kale within the pot.
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Add the black-eyed peas and tomatoes with their juices. Stir and proceed to prepare dinner till heated via, about 2 extra minutes. Style and add extra salt or spices as desired. Serve scorching with rice and a sprinkle of inexperienced onion.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic storage container for as much as Four days.
- TO REHEAT: Rewarm this recipe in a Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium-low warmth.
- TO FREEZE: Retailer leftovers in an hermetic freezer-safe storage container within the freezer for as much as Three months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Serving: 1(of 6), about 1 1/2 cups with 1/2 ready brown riceEnergy: 278kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 14gFats: 6gSaturated Fats: 1gPolyunsaturated Fats: 1gMonounsaturated Fats: 4gPotassium: 749mgFiber: 14gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 9886IUVitamin C: 72mgCalcium: 130mgIron: 5mg
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