This Hoppin’ Jack recipe is a comforting Southern dish made with black-eyed peas, salt meat or ham, and a kick of spice from dried red chili pepper. It’s a simple, yet flavorful meal that’s slow-cooked to perfection. You can let this dish simmer in your crockpot for several hours, making it ideal for a busy day when you want a satisfying meal waiting for you at dinnertime. Serve it over a bed of rice for a traditional Southern experience. The recipe note “Good!” says it all—this one’s a keeper!
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Hoppin’ Jack Recipe
Hoppin’ Jack Recipe History
Hoppin’ Jack is closely related to Hoppin’ John, a classic Southern dish made with black-eyed peas, rice, and pork. The origins of Hoppin’ John can be traced back to the African and Caribbean slaves who worked on plantations in the southern United States. Black-eyed peas, a crop brought over from Africa, were a staple food for enslaved people. Over time, Hoppin’ John became a popular dish throughout the South, particularly in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina and Georgia.
Salt meat or ham, often used in these dishes, was a common way to preserve meat in the days before refrigeration. The dried red chili pepper adds a touch of heat, giving the dish extra depth. While the recipe has evolved over the years, Hoppin’ Jack retains the core ingredients of its ancestor, with black-eyed peas at its heart.
Traditionally, Hoppin’ John was eaten on New Year’s Day to bring good luck for the coming year. The peas were said to symbolize coins or prosperity. Leftover Hoppin’ John, known as “Skippin’ Jenny,” was eaten the next day to show frugality and extend that good fortune.
Timeline
- 1700s: Black-eyed peas are brought to the American South via the transatlantic slave trade.
- 1800s: Hoppin’ John becomes a staple dish in Southern cuisine.
- Early 1900s: Salt meat and ham are commonly used for seasoning in Southern cooking.
- Mid-1900s: Crockpots become popular, making slow-cooked dishes like Hoppin’ Jack easier to prepare.
- Present day: Hoppin’ Jack remains a favorite in many Southern households, especially during the New Year holiday.
Recipe Discussion
Hoppin’ Jack is a one-pot dish that combines black-eyed peas, salty meat, onions, and a touch of heat from the dried red chili pepper. The recipe calls for soaking the black-eyed peas overnight, which helps to soften them and reduce cooking time. This dish is very similar to Hoppin’ John, though the ingredients here are slightly simplified.
- Black-eyed peas: These peas are the star of the dish. They are small, creamy beans that are earthy and slightly nutty. Soaking them overnight helps them cook evenly in the crockpot.
- Salt meat or ham: This adds a rich, salty flavor to the dish. You can use any cured or smoked pork—ham hocks, salt pork, or even bacon work well. The meat’s saltiness infuses into the peas as they cook, giving the dish a deep, savory flavor.
- Dried red chili pepper: The crushed chili pepper adds just the right amount of heat. You can adjust the spice level based on your taste by adding more or less chili. If you don’t have dried chili, you can substitute with red pepper flakes.
- Onion: Finely chopped onions add sweetness and depth to the dish. They cook down and blend into the broth, enhancing the overall flavor.
Once all the ingredients are combined in the crockpot, it’s a set-it-and-forget-it kind of dish. Cook on low for 6 to 10 hours, and you’ll have a savory, hearty meal ready by dinner time. The long, slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, with the peas becoming tender and infused with the smoky, salty flavors of the meat.
Preparation Tips
Here are a few tips to help you make the best Hoppin’ Jack possible:
- Soaking the peas: Make sure to soak the black-eyed peas overnight. This reduces cooking time and helps the peas become tender without falling apart. If you forget to soak them, you can use the quick soak method by boiling them for 2 minutes, then letting them sit covered for an hour before draining.
- Choosing the right meat: If you want a smoky flavor, use ham hocks or smoked pork. For a less smoky, saltier taste, salt pork or thick-cut bacon works well. You can also use leftover ham, especially after a holiday meal.
- Spice level: If you’re sensitive to heat, use only half of the dried red chili pepper or omit it entirely. For those who like more heat, feel free to add another chili pepper or some crushed red pepper flakes.
- Cooking time: The dish cooks on low for 6 to 10 hours, depending on your crockpot and how tender you want the peas. Check the peas after 6 hours for doneness, and cook longer if needed.
- Add salt at the end: Since the salt meat adds plenty of salt to the dish, wait until the end to adjust the seasoning. This prevents the dish from becoming overly salty.
Recommended Kitchen Products
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- Crockpot: A slow cooker is essential for this recipe. Look for a crockpot with a “low” setting and a timer to ensure your meal cooks perfectly every time.
- Chef’s Knife: A sharp chef’s knife makes chopping onions and preparing other ingredients easier and more precise.
- Measuring Spoons: A reliable set of measuring spoons ensures you’re adding the right amount of crushed chili pepper and other spices.
- Storage Containers: If you have leftovers, good-quality airtight containers help keep them fresh in the fridge or freezer for later meals.
Serving Suggestions
Hoppin’ Jack is traditionally served with rice, making it a hearty, filling meal. Here are some additional serving ideas to enhance your meal:
- With steamed rice: Serve the black-eyed peas and ham over a bed of white or brown rice. The rice soaks up the flavorful juices from the crockpot, making each bite satisfying.
- With cornbread: Pair the dish with a slice of cornbread to complement the rich, savory flavors with a slightly sweet, crumbly side.
- With collard greens: Serve with sautéed or braised collard greens for a complete Southern meal.
- With hot sauce: For those who like extra heat, serve with a bottle of hot sauce on the side.
- As a leftover: If you have extra, the dish can be enjoyed the next day as a hearty lunch or even turned into a soup by adding more broth.
A Southern Comfort Classic
Hoppin’ Jack is a comforting, slow-cooked dish packed with the flavors of the South. Whether you’re making it for a New Year’s meal or simply want a hearty dinner, this recipe delivers. The black-eyed peas, salt meat, and subtle heat from the chili pepper create a delicious balance of flavors. Serve it with rice for a complete, satisfying meal that will quickly become a favorite in your household. Just like the notation says, “Good!” really sums up this easy, flavorful dish.
Vintage Recipe Box 36
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Hoppin Jack Recipe
Hoppin Jack
Ingredients
- 1 pound black-eyed peas
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 onion, chopped fine
- 1 pound of salt meat or ham
- 1 dried red chili pepper, crushed
Instructions
- Soak 1 lb. black eyed peas overnight, then combine w/ 1 T. cup water, 1 onion, chopped fine, 1 lb. of salt meat or ham & 1 dried red chili pepper, crushed.
- Place all ingred. in crock pot.
- Cook on low 6-10 hrs.
- Add salt & pepper.
- Serve w/ rice.