Vegetarian Hoppin John (Print)

Savory black-eyed peas with vegetables and aromatic spices over fluffy rice

# Ingredients:

→ 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 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
12 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1½ 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 - ¼ cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
19 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
20 - Lemon wedges, optional

# Instructions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced 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 in the spices.
04 - Pour in the drained black-eyed peas, vegetable broth, soy sauce, and bay leaves. Stir to combine.
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 - Discard bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
07 - Spoon Hoppin John over warm cooked rice. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro, green onions, and a squeeze of lemon if desired.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes smoky and deeply savory without any animal products, proving Southern comfort food doesn't need meat to shine.
  • Black-eyed peas are cheap, shelf-stable, and packed with protein and fiber so you feel full and satisfied for hours.
  • One pot, minimal chopping, and you're done in under an hour, making weeknight dinners feel effortless.
  • It's the kind of dish that tastes even better the next day when all the spices have gotten cozy with each other.
02 -
  • Rinsing canned beans removes their starchy liquid which can make the final dish taste metallic or gummy, so don't skip that step even though it feels unnecessary.
  • The smoked paprika is non-negotiable because it provides the savory, smoky depth that makes people forget this is vegetarian in the best way possible.
  • Resist the urge to cook it covered because you want the liquid to reduce and concentrate, turning brothy and thin into creamy and cohesive.
03 -
  • Toast your spices for 30 seconds in the hot oil before adding vegetables if you want even more depth and complexity in every bite.
  • If your hoppin John seems too thick after 25 minutes, thin it with more broth rather than cooking it longer, because overcooking the beans makes them mushy and sad.
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