If you’re craving a comforting, soulful dish that bursts with Southern charm and incredible flavor, then you absolutely must try this Instant Pot Hoppin’ John Recipe. It’s an easy, hearty meal of tender black-eyed peas, smoky bacon, and vibrant vegetables, all cooked to perfection in the Instant Pot. The beauty of this dish lies in how seamlessly it blends simple ingredients into a medley of rich, satisfying tastes that are perfect anytime you need a warm hug from your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for this Instant Pot Hoppin’ John Recipe is straightforward, and each one plays an essential role in making the dish sing. From the smoky depth of the bacon to the soft texture of the black-eyed peas, they come together beautifully to create that classic Southern flavor.
- Olive oil: A tablespoon is all you need to sauté your veggies and start building flavor.
- Onion (small dice): Adds sweetness and aromatic depth to the dish.
- Green pepper (small dice): Brings a subtle crunch and a pop of fresh color.
- Red pepper (small dice): Complements the green pepper while adding a natural sweetness.
- Black eyed peas (dried): The star of the show, providing hearty texture and tradition.
- Bacon (uncooked and cut into bite-sized pieces): Infuses smoky richness that elevates every bite.
- Chicken broth: The cooking liquid that imparts savory depth throughout.
- Bay leaves: A subtle herbal note that rounds out the flavors.
- Garlic: Adds that unmistakable punch of aroma and taste.
- Salt: Essential to bring all the flavors into harmony.
- Cooked rice: Perfect for serving this hearty Hoppin’ John on a fluffy bed that soaks up all the juices.
How to Make Instant Pot Hoppin’ John Recipe
Step 1: Sauté Your Veggies
First things first, set your Instant Pot to the SAUTE setting. Add the olive oil, and once it’s nice and hot, toss in the diced onions and bell peppers. Cooking them until they soften releases their natural sweetness and starts building the base flavor for your Hoppin’ John. Once they’re tender, scoop them out and set aside—you’ll stir them back in later for vibrant color and fresh texture.
Step 2: Combine Key Ingredients
Next, place the dried black-eyed peas, bacon pieces, chicken broth, bay leaves, garlic cloves, and salt into the pressure cooker pot. Give everything a good stir to distribute the flavors evenly. This medley of ingredients will work together to create that rich, smoky, comforting taste this recipe is known for.
Step 3: Pressure Cook
Secure the lid on your Instant Pot and lock it into place. Turn the valve to seal, then set the pressure cooker to HIGH for 20 minutes. This pressure cooking will fully tenderize the black-eyed peas and let the bacon render its flavor into the broth, infusing every spoonful with a wonderfully smoky essence.
Step 4: Natural Release
When the cooking time is complete, leave the pot to naturally release the pressure for 15 minutes. This gentle cooldown is key to preventing beans from bursting and ensures your dish stays perfectly tender. After the natural release, carefully vent the remaining steam before opening the lid.
Step 5: Add Back the Sautéed Veggies
Now that the black-eyed peas are cooked, stir back in the sautéed onions and bell peppers. This final step adds brightness and a hint of freshness, balancing the rich, smoky broth perfectly.
Step 6: Serve Hot Over Rice
Spoon your delicious Hoppin’ John over a mound of fluffy cooked rice. The rice absorbs all the savory juices, making each bite simply irresistible. Now, sit back, dig in, and enjoy the magic you’ve created!
How to Serve Instant Pot Hoppin’ John Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes can elevate your Instant Pot Hoppin’ John Recipe and personalize it to suit your taste. Try sprinkling freshly chopped green onions or parsley for a burst of color and freshness. A dash of hot sauce can add some kick, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the flavors wonderfully.
Side Dishes
Serve this dish alongside collard greens or a crisp, tangy coleslaw to add contrasting textures and flavors. Cornbread or a warm buttermilk biscuit is a classic accompaniment that effortlessly soaks up all the lovely broth and rounds out the meal perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the Hoppin’ John in individual bowls with a soft-boiled egg on top. You can also turn it into a hearty stuffing for bell peppers or bake it with a sprinkling of cheese for a comforting casserole. The Instant Pot Hoppin’ John Recipe is versatile enough to be the star of many creative meals!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers from your Instant Pot Hoppin’ John Recipe store beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to four days, making it the perfect meal prep for busy weeks.
Freezing
If you want to keep this deliciousness longer, portion it out into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to three months. Just be sure to leave out the rice if you plan to freeze the dish, as it reheats better when prepared fresh.
Reheating
Reheat your Hoppin’ John gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of broth or water if it seems too thick. For the best texture, reheat rice separately and combine right before serving.
FAQs
Can I use canned black-eyed peas instead of dried?
Yes, you can use canned black-eyed peas; however, since they are already cooked, you’ll want to reduce the pressure cooking time significantly or simply add them after the bacon and broth have been cooking to warm through without overcooking.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
Absolutely! Simply omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Adding smoked paprika or liquid smoke can mimic that smoky flavor without meat.
How spicy is Hoppin’ John traditionally?
Traditionally, this dish isn’t very spicy. It’s more about savory, smoky, and slightly earthy flavors. But feel free to add hot sauce or cayenne pepper to kick it up if you like heat.
What is the significance of Hoppin’ John?
Hoppin’ John is a classic Southern dish often eaten on New Year’s Day for good luck and prosperity. Its black-eyed peas symbolize coins, making it a favorite tradition for starting the year off with abundance.
Can I double the recipe in my Instant Pot?
You can, but be mindful of your Instant Pot’s maximum fill line. If doubling, it might be better to cook in two batches to ensure even cooking and avoid overfilling.
Final Thoughts
This Instant Pot Hoppin’ John Recipe is a shining example of how a few simple ingredients can come together to make a meal that feels like a warm, comforting hug. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week, this dish is sure to become a cherished favorite. Give it a try—you won’t regret it!
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Instant Pot Hoppin’ John Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Southern
Description
This Instant Pot Hoppin’ John is a hearty and flavorful Southern classic made with black-eyed peas, bacon, and aromatic vegetables, cooked to perfection using an electric pressure cooker. It combines tender beans infused with smoky bacon and savory spices, served over fluffy cooked rice, making it a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for any day of the week.
Ingredients
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 cup Onion (small dice)
- 1 Green pepper (small dice)
- 1 Red pepper (small dice)
- 2 cloves Garlic
Proteins and Others
- 1 pound Black eyed peas (dried)
- ½ pound Bacon (uncooked and cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Liquids and Seasoning
- 5.5 cups Chicken broth
- 2 Bay leaves
- ½ teaspoon Salt
To Serve
- 4 cups Cooked rice
Instructions
- Saute Vegetables: Turn your pressure cooker to SAUTE mode. Add the olive oil and, once heated, add the diced onions and bell peppers. Cook until they are softened and fragrant, then remove from the pot and set aside.
- Add Main Ingredients: Place the dried black-eyed peas, uncooked bacon pieces, chicken broth, bay leaves, garlic cloves, and salt into the pressure cooker pot. Stir the mixture gently to combine the ingredients well.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on the pressure cooker and lock it in place. Turn the pressure release valve to the sealing position. Set the cooker to HIGH pressure for 20 minutes to cook the beans and bacon thoroughly.
- Natural Release: After the 20-minute cooking cycle, allow the pressure cooker to release pressure naturally for 15 minutes. Then carefully vent the remaining steam before opening the lid.
- Combine and Serve: Stir the sautéed onions and bell peppers back into the cooked black-eyed peas and bacon mixture. Serve the hoppin’ john hot over the cooked rice.
- Enjoy Your Meal: Savor the rich flavors and comforting textures of this traditional Southern dish made effortlessly in the Instant Pot.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- You can soak the black-eyed peas overnight to reduce cooking time, but it’s not necessary when using an Instant Pot.
- Adjust salt to taste depending on the saltiness of your broth and bacon.
- Use fresh cooked rice or leftover rice for best results when serving.
- Make sure to naturally release pressure for the best texture of black-eyed peas.
