Slow Cooker

Slowcooker Hoppin' John

by:
November  3, 2010
4
2 Ratings
  • Serves 5-6 dinner portions
Author Notes

I'd never heard of Hoppin' John before I started going to the Meadowlark Restaurant. I ordered it out of curiosity- and I'm so glad I did. The black eyed pea stew has become one of my favorite meals. Chock full of vegetables and spicy, savory flavor. It's a great weeknight meal if you dice all the vegetables in advance. Combine the ingredients before work and you'll have an amazing, healthful stew waiting for you when you get back. Serve over rice, top with extra sharp cheddar cheese and green onions. Sprinkle a little white vinegar before serving- odd, but delicious. - Hilarybee —Hilarybee

Test Kitchen Notes

As a big fan of slow cooker recipes, I was really excited to try this out. Simmering the black eyed peas in chicken stock with vegetables and spices brought the flavors together and made for great tasting beans. I had to add hot sauce to get the full flavor I was looking for, but I would still recommend this dish; it would make a great weeknight meal! - forester_lady —duclosbe1

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 Orange or Yellow Bell Pepper, diced
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion diced
  • 2 celery stalks with tops finely diced
  • 1 bunch of Carrots, diced
  • 3 Garlic Cloves minced
  • 1 Jalapeno pepper, cut in half lengthwise
  • 1 1/2 cups Dry Black Eyed Peas
  • 32 ounces low salt stock (I use homemade vegetable; chicken would be nice, too)
  • 3 Bay Leaves
  • 2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1 Sprig Fresh Thyme
  • 4-6 servings cooked rice of your choice
  • Sharp White Cheddar (I like Dubliner)
  • 1 bunch Green Onions
  • 1 bunch Collard greens, leaves stripped from stems
  • 2-3 tablespoons White Vinegar (optional, but delicious)
Directions
  1. Rinse the peas under cold water and pick out any stones or discolored peas. Bring the peas to boil in a medium saucepan full of cold water. Boil the peas for 10 minutes. As the beans cool, start chopping the vegetables. If you are planning to simmer the stew all day while at work, skip boiling the peas.
  2. Combine peas, stock, diced yellow pepper, onion, carrots, garlic, jalepeno halves, stock and seasonings in a slow cooker.Cook for at least 4 hours on low.
  3. About an hour before you are ready to serve, prepare the rice and collards. While the rice is cooking, cut the collard green leaves into strips and add them to the stew. Cook the stew for another 40-60 minutes.
  4. Remove the bay leaves, thyme stems, and jalapeno halves. Spoon the stew over rice. Top with cheddar cheese, green onions, and a drizzle of white vinegar. Serve hot.
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See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • I Am The Eggman
    I Am The Eggman
  • Hilarybee
    Hilarybee
  • gingerroot
    gingerroot
  • kiki-bee
    kiki-bee
Dedicated locavore. I spend my weekends on the back roads (often lost!) looking for the best ingredients Ohio has to offer. I am often accompanied by my husband, Mr. Radar and our dog, Buddy. Born in West Virginia, raised in Michigan, I moved to Ohio for college and have lived there on and off since. I love to meet farmers and local producers. Cooking is an extension of this love. You can follow my move from government analyst to cottage industrialist and view the food I cook for my personal mad scientist on thistleconfections.com

5 Reviews

I A. September 19, 2012
I agree with kiki-bee from 9 months ago- this recipe needs a ham hock or two!
 
kiki-bee December 7, 2011
I'm a displaced southerner and I still eat Hoppin'John on New Year, but I love it any other time of year as well; it's one of those classic American foods I get fierce cravings for from time to time. I do have a little bone to pick with this recipe though - where's the bacon?!?!
 
Hilarybee December 11, 2011
Hi Kiki- since we're mostly vegetarian, there is no bacon. But feel free to add some bacon or a ham hock.
 
Hilarybee November 3, 2010
Thanks, gingerroot. I hope you try it out and let me know what you think!
 
gingerroot November 3, 2010
YUM! My family has adopted Hoppin' John as one of our New Year traditions...thanks for this great looking slow cooker version.