Vegetarian Hoppin John (Print Version)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 for heat
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

# How-To Steps:

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 vegetables are softened.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and sea salt. Stir well to coat vegetables evenly with spices.
04 - Pour in drained black-eyed peas, vegetable broth, soy sauce, and bay leaves. Stir thoroughly to combine all components.
05 - Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens and flavors meld together.
06 - Remove and discard bay leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
07 - Spoon Hoppin John over warm cooked rice. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro, sliced green onions, and a squeeze of lemon if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like comfort food but won't leave you feeling weighed down afterward.
  • One pot, straightforward steps, and you've got something that feels way more impressive than it actually is to make.
  • The smoked paprika gives you that depth you'd normally get from meat, so nobody at the table will miss it.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the canned peas, or your dish will be unexpectedly salty and starchy instead of clean and flavorful.
  • Smoked paprika is not regular paprika, and the difference is everything, so don't swap them out thinking they're the same thing.
03 -
  • Taste the broth before you use it, because some brands are surprisingly salty and will throw off your seasoning.
  • Let the mixture simmer uncovered so the liquid can reduce and concentrate the flavors instead of creating a watery stew.
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