Instant Pot Hoppin' John
Hoppin' John is my New Year's Day tradition for bringing good luck and prosperity, but I make it year-round because it's too delicious to save for just one day. It's a hearty Southern dish with black-eyed peas, smoky sausage, crispy bacon, and vegetables served over rice. I make it for family gatherings and meal prep because it's budget-friendly, feeds a crowd, and cooks in one pot. It stays fresh in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or freezes beautifully for up to 3 months and reheats perfectly.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound black-eyed peas
- 3 strips bacon chopped
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 1 stalk celery chopped
- 1 jalapeño chopped (with seeds and membranes)
- 1 large carrot chopped
- 2 large cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 pound smoked sausage cut into large chunks
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
For Serving:
- Cooked white rice
- Cilantro for garnish
- Hot sauce
Instructions
- Sort through the black-eyed peas, removing any debris. Place them in a large bowl and cover with water by about 2 inches. Soak overnight. Drain and rinse the peas and set them aside.1 pound black-eyed peas
- Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Once hot, add the chopped bacon and cook for 3–4 minutes until the fat renders and the bacon begins to crisp.3 strips bacon
- Add the onion, celery, jalapeño, carrot, and garlic. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the vegetables soften.1 cup onion, 1 stalk celery, 1 jalapeño, 1 large carrot, 2 large cloves garlic
- Stir in the cumin and bay leaf and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the soaked peas, chicken broth, and smoked sausage.1 teaspoon cumin, 1 bay leaf, 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 1 pound smoked sausage
- Switch to Pressure Cook mode and set the timer for 12 minutes. (Allow extra time for the pot to come to pressure.) Let the pressure release naturally. Stir in the chopped cilantro.½ cup cilantro
- Serve warm over cooked white rice and top with more cilantro and a dash of hot sauce if desired.Cilantro, Hot sauce, Cooked white rice
Video
Notes
Here are a few important notes I always keep in mind to make sure my Hoppin' John turns out perfect every time:
Soak overnight for even cooking: Field peas or cowpeas like black-eyed peas need a full overnight soak to soften properly and cook evenly in the pressure cooker.
Render the bacon completely: Cook it until the fat melts and the pieces begin to crisp, so the flavor coats the peas and vegetables. You can also swap for pork shoulder or ham hock to get a different depth of smoky flavor.
Adjust the heat level: Leave the jalapeño seeds in for more spice, or remove them for a milder version that's still flavorful, or stir in cayenne pepper and smoked paprika at the end for warmth without the jalapeño bite.
Use natural pressure release: Quick release can cause the peas to split and turn mushy, so let the pressure drop on its own for the best texture.
Stir in cilantro after cooking: Fresh cilantro wilts and loses flavor under pressure, so add it at the end to keep it bright and fresh.
Flash-freeze for storage: Spread cooled Hoppin' John on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour, then transfer to containers so portions don't clump together. Chill for 3 to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Warm on the stove, in the oven, or in the microwave with a splash of liquid.
Nutrition
Calories: 304kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 15gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 581mgPotassium: 455mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1378IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 3mg
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