Slow Cooker Hoppin’ John Recipe
This Slow Cooker Hoppin’ John recipe is a comforting and traditional Southern dish featuring tender black-eyed peas cooked with savory ham bone and a vibrant mix of vegetables and spices. Slow-cooked to perfection, it delivers rich flavors and hearty texture, perfect for a satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 8 hours soaking)
- Cook Time: 7 to 8 hours on low or 4 to 5 hours on high
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
Peas and Meat
- 16 ounces dried black eyed peas
- 1 ham bone with meat attached
Vegetables
- 1 small sweet onion, finely diced
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 Tablespoon creole seasoning (such as Tony Chachere’s)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 cups unsalted chicken stock
Instructions
- Soak the Black Eyed Peas: Place 16 ounces of dried black eyed peas into a large bowl and cover with cold water, ensuring water is 2 inches above the peas. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to soak for 8 hours or overnight to soften the peas.
- Drain the Peas: After soaking, drain the water completely and set the peas aside for later use.
- Prepare Slow Cooker Ingredients: Place the ham bone with meat attached in the center of an 8-quart slow cooker. Add the drained black eyed peas along with finely diced sweet onion, celery, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, minced garlic, bay leaves, creole seasoning, and black pepper into the cooker.
- Add Stock and Combine: Pour 6 cups of unsalted chicken stock over the ingredients and stir gently to combine all the flavors evenly.
- Cook Slowly: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the peas are tender but still hold their shape, avoiding a mushy texture.
- Remove and Shred Ham Meat: Carefully take out the ham bone from the slow cooker, let it cool slightly, then remove all the meat from the bone.
- Discard Bay Leaves: Remove and discard the bay leaves from the slow cooker to avoid bitterness.
- Combine Ham Meat: Add the shredded ham meat back into the slow cooker, stir well to incorporate, then taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Soaking the black eyed peas overnight helps reduce cooking time and improves texture.
- If you prefer a smokier flavor, use smoked ham hock instead of a ham bone.
- You can add a splash of hot sauce or vinegar for extra tang and heat when serving.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the ham bone and use vegetable broth; add smoked paprika for depth.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and taste even better the next day.
Keywords: Hoppin' John, slow cooker, black eyed peas, southern recipe, ham bone, creole seasoning
Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/slow-cooker-hoppin-john-recipe/
