Easy Vegan Hoppin’ John Recipe

The first Hoppin’ John recipe in the U.S. appeared in The Carolina Housewife in 1857, and included one pint of rice, one pint of black-eyed peas, and one pound of bacon. It was served on New Year's Day to bring good luck and prosperity in the New Year. History.com has more on this New Year’s Tradition.

 

Today, there are many variations of the recipe. This dish is traditionally served in the south with collard greens, whose green color symbolizes wealth.

 

Black-eyed peas are featured too, and are symbolic of coins (more good fortune). An actual coin is sometimes added to the pot. Folklore tells us that eating black-eyed peas is lucky, and why we need to adopt eating this food as a New Year’s day custom.

 

Despite the name, black-eyed peas are not peas, but belong to a family called “pulses.” Pulses are plant products including chickpeas, lentils, and other dry peas and beans. In addition to ties to good fortune, black-eyed peas are healthy. They’re rich in fiber and protein. See “Black-eyed peas nutrition benefits” for specific details.

 

 

Now, without further ado, look below and discover my very easy to prepare, mouth-watering yet healthy (whole food plant-based version) of Hoppin' John Stew/Soup.

Bowl of Colorful Vegan Hoppin' John with Seeded GF Crackers

 

Ingredients:

1 large yellow onion chopped

3-4 cloves garlic chopped

2-3 stalks celery chopped

2 carrots chopped

1 red pepper chopped

2 cans organic black eyed peas rinsed and drained

2 cups organic brown rice cooked according to package directions (you may prepare and refrigerate cooked rice in a sealed container up to a day or two before you cook the rest of the dish)

3 or 4 cups chopped fresh kale or choose another green including collards, chard, or spinach

1 15 oz. can fire roasted tomatoes or one 15 oz. can of tomato vegetable soup (I used soup to cut down on vegetable prep time and add more veggies) 

2 cups of vegetable broth or water for stew, or 4 cups of vegetable broth or 4 cups water for soup

2 Tablespoons smoked paprika

1 Tablespoon dried thyme

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper and or ½ teaspoon ground red pepper flakes or to taste 

Tabasco (or other hot sauce) to sprinkle on the Hoppin' John, while seated at the table

salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Note: Ingredient measurements for this recipe are flexible, and making substitutions or adding more vegetables are part of the fun. Just remember to add enough liquid so food stays moist and yummy

 

What to Do:

1. Sauté the chopped onion, celery, and carrots with garlic in a few drops of water (use a Dutch oven or large pot) until soft and starting to brown.

2. Add the fire-roasted tomatoes or vegetable soup, spices, black eyed peas, and stir mixture well. Cover the pot.

3. Simmer for at least 20 minutes. Then, add kale or other greens, and simmer until tender and seasoning is melded (about 5-8 minutes. Add cooked rice now and heat until all ingredients are hot. 

 

This simple version of Nan's Vegan Hoppin’ John goes great with cornbread or corn muffins. Serve it for good luck at the start of the year or any time you crave a cozy, satisfying, and delicious plant-based high protein treat.

 

Have you ever made Hoppin' John for New Year's Day? Please comment in the space below.

Do you think you'd like to try making this recipe? Please share your ideas below.

What holiday food traditions do you have? Please share that too.

Before you go, please check out another delicious, healthy, and hearty dish. See 5 Star ★★★★★Vegan Collard Greens, Beans, and Dirty Rice for a tasty dish that features collards, beans, and rice.

Wishing you and yours a beautiful New Year and good health, joy, and prosperity in the year ahead.

  

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