Plant-Based Hoppin’ John (Black Eyed Peas & Rice)

RECIPE BELOW!! I’ve only heard of “hoppin’ John” recently, only to discover “OH! It’s just black eyed peas and rice!” Lol!

My Paw-Paw always tried to get me to eat black eyes… I always hated them when I was little.

Confession: I hated beans. Like… hated. My husband alway loved red beans & rice, and I always scoffed when he wanted to make it. “Ughh…😒” I hated the taste, texture, everything.

I’ll never forget making one of our first plant-based meal preps. I stared down those damn beans 🤨 😩 as if to say, “OK… we’re gunna do this. It’s going to be OK. I’m going to be OK. I’m going to eat you and LIKE it!! Watch me.. Watch…” (Yes, I did have to give myself pep-talks back when we started bean plant-based recipes.)

I’m one of the biggest testaments to taste bud changes… Y’all, I love beans now. We make/eat them at LEAST once a week, most weeks it’s several days/meals a week that we eat them. WHAAAT!!

This recipe was a WIN for the kiddos!! It’s taken a couple years (👈🏻years) for them to ever ask for beans… and this was the meal where they asked for beans OVER a PB&J when given the choice! Both my husband and I rejoiced!

This is a GREAT meal prep! My husband requests it all the time. I hope y’all enjoy!

Print

With ImageWithout Image

Plant-Based Hoppin' John (Black Eyed Peas & Rice)

Yield: 6-8

Author: Camryn Clements

Prep time: 7 MinCook time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 7 M

This was the first bean recipe that my kids chose over a PB&J! It's simple, delicious, healthy, and filling! My husband requests it all the time for meal preps.

Ingredients

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 bell pepper, seeded & diced
• 1 pound of black eyed peas, soaked 6-8 hours OR overnight, drained (*no soak needed for the Instant Pot! You can use dried beans)
• 1 can diced tomatos
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 3 bay leaves
• 2-4 Tbsps olive oil (*omit if needing an oil-free recipe)
• 1 Tbsp (or to taste) of Cajun seasoning, like Tony's Chacheres
• 1 Tbsp of dillweed
• Cooked rice of choice for serving (I did a rice blend -- it's what I had on hand)

Instructions

1. In a large pot, saute the onion, celery, and bell pepper in the oilive oil until tender.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients, bring to a boil.
3. Turn heat to medium and let simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally, until the black eyed peas are soft.
4. Taste and adjust
5. Serve over cooked rice. Enjoy!

Instant Pot

1. Put all ingredients into the pot.
2. Seal the lid and vent. Cook on HIGH pressure for 45 minutes.
3. Let steam release. Taste & adjust.
4. Serve over cooked rice!

Notes

~ We love the liquid that this recipe creates, almost like a tasty gravy.

theplantbasedcajun.com/blog-posts/plant-based-hoppin-john

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @theplantbasedcajun on instagram and hashtag it # theplantbasedcajun