Vegetarian Hoppin John (Print View)

Hearty plant-based Southern dish with black-eyed peas, aromatic vegetables, and smoky spices over fluffy rice.

# Components:

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Legumes

06 - 2 cans (15 ounces each) black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

→ Seasonings

07 - 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
08 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
12 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1.5 teaspoons sea salt
14 - 2 bay leaves

→ Liquids

15 - 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
16 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari

→ To Serve

17 - 4 cups cooked long-grain white or brown rice
18 - 0.25 cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
19 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
20 - Lemon wedges, optional

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, cumin, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. Stir well to coat the vegetables evenly in the spices.
04 - Pour in the drained black-eyed peas, vegetable broth, soy sauce, and bay leaves. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat, and cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and flavors meld.
06 - Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Spoon Hoppin John over warm cooked rice. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro, green onions, and a squeeze of lemon if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like comfort without requiring a grocery store hunt for obscure ingredients.
  • The smoked paprika gives you that deep, smoky richness you'd swear came from meat.
  • It's the kind of meal that actually gets better if you make extra and reheat it the next day.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing your canned peas—it makes a real difference in the final taste and texture.
  • The smoked paprika is non-negotiable; regular paprika won't give you that smoky depth that makes people do a double-take.
03 -
  • If you want even more smokiness, add a tiny splash of liquid smoke or swap the cayenne for chipotle powder.
  • You can swap the black-eyed peas for pinto or kidney beans and the dish will still be delicious.
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