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slow cooker hoppin john

Slow Cooker Hoppin' John

A classic Southern dish, Hoppin' John, made easily in your slow cooker. Perfect for New Year's Day for good luck and prosperity!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Dish, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound dried black-eyed peas rinsed and sorted
  • 1 pound smoked ham hock
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 stalks celery chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth or water
  • 1 tsp Cajun seasoning or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper or to taste
  • Salt to taste (after cooking)
  • 3 cups cooked white rice for serving
  • Hot sauce for serving

Equipment

  • 6-quart slow cooker

Method
 

  1. Rinse and sort the dried black-eyed peas.
    1 pound dried black-eyed peas
  2. In a 6-quart slow cooker, combine the rinsed black-eyed peas, ham hock, chopped onion, celery, green bell pepper, minced garlic, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, and black pepper.
    1 pound dried black-eyed peas, 1 pound smoked ham hock, 1 medium onion, 2 stalks celery, 1 medium green bell pepper, 3 cloves garlic, 6 cups chicken broth, 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1/2 tsp black pepper
  3. Stir everything together to combine.
  4. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the black-eyed peas are tender.
  5. Carefully remove the ham hock from the slow cooker. Once cool enough to handle, shred the meat from the bone and discard the bone and any excess fat. Return the shredded ham to the slow cooker.
    1 pound smoked ham hock
  6. Taste and season with salt as needed. Remember that the ham hock and broth contribute to the saltiness.
    Salt
  7. Serve the slow cooker hoppin' john hot over cooked white rice, with a dash of hot sauce if desired.
    3 cups cooked white rice, Hot sauce

Notes

For an even richer flavor, you can sauté the onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic in a little olive oil before adding them to the slow cooker. If you can't find a ham hock, smoked turkey may be used as an alternative.