Hoppin John Soup

Warm up your soul with a hearty bowl of Hoppin’ John Soup, a Southern-inspired twist on a classic comfort dish. This flavorful recipe brings together smoky bacon, tender black-eyed peas, aromatic vegetables, and perfectly cooked rice in a savory broth infused with smoked paprika, thyme, and a touch of cayenne pepper for optional heat. Simmered to perfection, this one-pot wonder is a filling and protein-packed meal that’s as easy to make as it is satisfying. Topped with crispy bacon, fresh green onions, and a splash of hot sauce, Hoppin’ John Soup is a delicious way to celebrate tradition or simply enjoy a cozy, crowd-pleasing meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners or New Year’s Day luck!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 stalks celery stalks, diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
• 1 14.5-ounce can canned diced tomatoes (including liquid)
• 3 cups cooked black-eyed peas
• 0.5 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 stalks green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• 0 hot sauce (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Crumble and reserve for garnish.

Step 2

In the same pot, discard most of the bacon grease, leaving about 2 tablespoons. Add the diced onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables soften.

Step 3

Add the minced garlic, smoked paprika, thyme, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Pour in the chicken broth, canned diced tomatoes with their liquid, black-eyed peas, uncooked rice, and the bay leaf. Stir to combine.

Step 5

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 25-30 minutes, or until the rice is tender.

Step 6

Season the soup with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste. Discard the bay leaf before serving.

Step 7

Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with crumbled bacon and sliced green onions. Add a dash of hot sauce if desired for extra heat.

Step 8

Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2733.6 grams (2733.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1423

Total Fat 24.00g	31%
Saturated Fat 7.20g	36%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.90g
Cholesterol 48mg	16%
Sodium 8683mg	378%
Total Carbohydrate 229.00g	83%
Dietary Fiber 30.00g	107%
Total Sugars 32.50g
Protein 56.80g	114%

Vitamin D 8IU	39%
Calcium 435mg	33%
Iron 15mg	84%
Potassium 3263mg	69%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 15.9%

Protein: 16.7%

Carbs: 67.4%