Instant Pot Southern Hoppin’ John

Instant Pot Southern Hoppin’ John—dried black eyed peas and brown rice are cooked together in your Instant Pot with celery, green onions, green bell peppers and seasonings. Crispy crumbled bacon is stirred into the cooked peas and rice. A healthy and delicious meal to eat for good luck and prosperity in the new year!

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Instant Pot Southern Hoppin’ John

This version of black eyed peas has rice cooked with it at the same time and in the same pot. The pressure cooker cooks the dried legumes in only a 20 minute cook time. It also has bacon to add lots of flavor! This is the perfect food to make to celebrate the new year! If you’d rather eat hoppin’ john without rice try my other Instant Pot Hoppin’ John recipe.

What is Hoppin’ John?

Hoppin’ John is a classic one-pot southern dish made with black-eyed peas and bacon. Hoppin’ John is said to bring good luck and wealth in the new year with the black-eyed peas representing coins. Tradition says that if you leave three peas on your plate on New Year’s Eve then your year will be filled with luck and money!

What is the difference between Hoppin John and Black Eyed Peas?

Hoppin’ John is the rice, the black eyed peas, the bacon etc. all together in a one-pot dish. Black Eyed Peas are the dried legumes that have a pale cream color and a distinctive black spot resembling an eye.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces–you could also use cubes of ham or salt pork
• Green bell pepper, celery and green onions–you’ll saute these in the bacon grease
• Chicken broth–you can also use water and Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
• Dried black eyed peas–see below for how to make this recipe with canned peas
• Brown rice–see below for how to make this recipe with white rice
• Kosher salt, cayenne pepper, basil, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, bay leaf–for flavor

Instructions:

1. Cook bacon: Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the bacon and cook until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to move the bacon to a paper towel lined plate. 
2. Saute veg: Discard all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease. Add peppers, celery and onions into Instant Pot and saute. Scrape the bottom of the pot as you go to release any sticking bits of bacon. Saute the vegetables for about 5 minutes. 
3. Deglaze the pot: Pour in the broth and scrape any remaining bits off the bottom of the pot. 
4. Add ingredients: Add in the black eyed peas, rice, salt, cayenne, basil, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder and bay leaf. 
5. Pressure cook: Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 20 minutes on high pressure. When time is up let the pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
6. Serve: Season to taste. Add the bacon into the pot and stir. Serve and enjoy! Garnish with parsley, if desired. 

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Recipe Notes and Tips for Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas & Rice

Can You Use Canned or Frozen Black-eyed Peas Instead of Dry?

Yes you can. If you choose to use canned peas then I would rinse and drain them and add them into the pot after the rice has pressure cooked. I would use 2 cans. If you choose to use frozen peas then I would add them into the pot at the beginning with the rice. I would use about 2 cups of frozen peas. For both canned and frozen make sure to decrease the broth to 1 ¼ cups instead of 3 ¼ cups.

Can you use white rice instead of brown rice?

Yes you can. The best and easiest way to do this is to use canned black-eyed peas instead of dried. Use the same amount of rice and liquid listed in the recipe card. Rinse the canned peas and add them into the pot at the same time as the rice. Pressure cook for 5 minutes with a 10 minute natural pressure release.

Variation Ideas

• Try using cubed ham in the place or in addition to the bacon. Another idea is to cook a ham hock in the pot with the rice and black-eyed peas.
• To make this vegetarian use vegetable broth and leave out the bacon. Instead of sautéing the vegetables in bacon grease sauté them in olive oil.
• Use another color of bell pepper instead of green…red, yellow or orange
• You can use scallions in the place of green onions
• If you love spice then use a diced jalapeño pepper instead of bell pepper
• Add a few squirts of hot sauce to give more flavor to this dish. I added a bit to my individual bowl.

Do I have to soak black eyed peas?

No you do not. The pressure cooker cooks the peas quickly without soaking time.

What should I serve with Hoppin’ John?

Collard greens are a great side dish to Instant Pot southern hoppin’ john! You can even make them in the Instant Pot. Another delicious side dish is cornbread with honey butter. 

How to Store the Leftovers

Store the lucky leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What equipment did you use?

• I used my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo 60 7 in 1*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart Instant Pot.
• Saute paddle*
• Slotted spoon*

More Rice and Legume Instant Pot Recipes…

Instant Pot Chili Cheese Rice

Instant Pot Mexican Black Beans and Rice

Instant Pot Green and White Soup

Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc. Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.

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*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.