Crock Pot Hoppin' John

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A Crock Pot Hoppin' John is perfect for that New Year's Day recipe you've been looking for. The smokiness of the black eyed peas paired with the tastiness of the smoked sausage really makes this dish a must for New Years.

Close up shot cropped square, of a crock pot hoppin john with a spoon diggin in. — Crock Pot Hoppin' John

I like using dried beans in any of my slow cooker recipes. I like the ability to allow them to cook all day without worrying about them turning to mush.

This is one of those addictive dishes where you'll be reaching for seconds in no time.

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❤️ Why you'll love it
🧅 Ingredients
🥣 Instructions
🔄 Substitutions and Variations
🔌 Equipment
📘 Related Recipes
🧊 Storage
💡 Tips
👩‍🍳 FAQs
Crock Pot Hoppin' John
💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love it

If you're superstitious then it will take care of the 'black eyed peas for New Years' belief. This recipe will bring you all the good luck, a prosperous year as the black eyed peas are the color of money - it's a southern tradition.
It's relatively inexpensive.
Cooking in the slow cooker makes this recipe really hands-off.
Sometimes on New Year's Day you may not be feeling too good.... for various reasons (lol). This is some good old fashioned home-cooked comfort food, perfect for this occasion.

🧅 Ingredients

Black Eyed Peas
Smoked Sausage (I like to use Polska Kielbasa)
Canned Tomatoes and Chilies (Rotel)
Beef Broth
Onion
Green Bell Pepper
Garlic
Celery
Water
Creole Seasoning
Onion Powder
Garlic Powder
Thyme

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

🥣 Instructions

Step 1: In a large skillet add the sliced smoked sausage and cook over medium-high heat until caramelized and the sausage has a nice browned look.
Step 2: Add to the slow cooker along with all the other ingredients.
Step 3: Start off on a high setting for 1 hour then turn down to low.
Step 4: Cook on low for 7 hours then serve with white rice and corn bread.

Close up shot cropped square, of a crock pot hoppin john.

Hint: Soak your beans overnight if you wish, it will speed up the cooking time and you'll need less fluid.

🔄 Substitutions and Variations

Brown Rice - instead of serving with white rice.
Chicken Stock - or chicken broth instead of the beef broth.
Salted Pork - if you prefer instead of smoked sausage.
Smoked Ham Hock - same as above, if you prefer.
Andouille Sausage - a smoked sausage packed with even more Cajun flavor.
Red Pepper Flakes - add a little heat.
Hot Sauce - for a little kick.
Bay Leaves - for another flavor dimension.
Cajun Seasoning - instead of the Creole seasoning.
Cooked Rice - throw in some cooked rice into the dish itself and make it a one pot meal.
Field Peas - are also considered lucky, with the color of money.
Cherry tomatoes - instead of the Rotel.
Bacon salt - if you have some, this adds more flavor.

A bowl full of crock pot hoppin john on rice.

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🔌 Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You'll need a large 12" skillet to caramelize the sausage slices as well as at lease a 6 quart slow cooker. I have some affiliate links in the recipe card below.

🧊 Storage

Once the beans have cooled completely store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

This Hoppin' John recipe does freeze well. Any leftovers can be frozen in an airtight freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

💡 Tips

Expert Tip: If you like your beans creamier, smash some of the beans up against the side of the crock pot. The starches will release into the beans and make them more creamy.

👩‍🍳 FAQs

Can I used canned Black Eyed Peas instead of the dried ones?

Definitely. I would rinse them first and cook only on low for maybe 4-6 hours.

I can't get that smoked sausage, do you recommend any other options?

I have friend who like to use salted pork in their black eyed peas. You should be able to find that at any grocery store. Failing that, a ham hock also tastes great.

If you’ve tried this Crock Pot Hoppin' John Recipe or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!

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Crock Pot Hoppin' John

Yield: 10

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 8 hours

Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes

Deliciously creamy and full of flavor, Crock Pot Hoppin' John has that smokiness you'd expect from black eyed peas paired with tasty smoked sausage.

Ingredients

1lb Dried Black Eyed Peas
1lb Smoked Sausage, sliced
1 Small Yellow Onion, diced
1 Small Green Bell Pepper, diced
1 Stalk Celery, diced
4 Cloves Garlic, minced
1 (10oz) Can Rotel (tomatoes and chilies)
3 Cups Beef Broth
4 Cups Water
1 Tablespoon Creole Seasoning
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
½ teaspoon dried Thyme
Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

Sliced the smoked sausage and add to a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook just to caramelize them. They'll start to color.
Add the sausage to the crock pot along with all the other ingredients. Give a stir and turn on the crock pot to high.
After 1 hour turn down to low and cook another 7 hours.

Notes

Starting temperature on high will move things along a little quicker. If you don't have time and need to dump and go, that's also fine, just start off on low. It may take a little longer on the back end.

If you soak the beans overnight you'll find it won't take so long to cook and you'll need less fluid in your recipe.