Description
Slow Cooker Hoppin John is a hearty and comforting Southern dish featuring smoky sausage, tender black-eyed peas, flavorful diced tomatoes and green chilies, combined with aromatic vegetables and Cajun seasoning. Cooked low and slow in a crockpot, this meal delivers rich, deep flavors with minimal hands-on time and is perfect for a satisfying family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Beans
- 1 pound Smoked Sausages (smoked turkey sausage or ham hock can be used for variation)
- 2 cups Black-Eyed Peas (canned eliminates soaking time)
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 can Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies (can use fresh cherry tomatoes for milder flavor)
- 1 medium White Onion (can substitute with shallots)
- 1 medium Green Bell Pepper (can use other bell pepper colors)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (can substitute with fresh garlic)
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning (add cayenne for extra spice if desired)
Liquids
- 4 cups Beef Broth (substitute with chicken broth if desired)
Grain
- 1 package Boil-in-Bag Rice (quick-cooking variety)
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Start by collecting all your delightful ingredients for the Slow Cooker Hoppin John to have everything ready before cooking.
- Brown the Sausage: Slice the smoked sausage into bite-sized pieces, then heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the sausage for 5-7 minutes until nicely caramelized to deepen the flavor.
- Combine in the Crockpot: Transfer the browned sausage to your slow cooker. Add black-eyed peas, diced tomatoes and green chilies, chopped white onion, diced green bell pepper, garlic powder, ground black pepper, Cajun seasoning, and beef broth. Stir all ingredients together.
- Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker and cook the mixture on low heat for 6 hours, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to become tender.
- Add Rice: After 6 hours of cooking, stir in the boil-in-bag rice to the mixture. Switch the slow cooker setting to high and cook for an additional 20 minutes until the rice is fully heated through and tender.
- Adjust Consistency: For a thicker texture, mash some of the black-eyed peas with the back of a spoon. If a soupier consistency is preferred, add extra broth and stir well before serving.
Notes
- For a leaner option, substitute smoked turkey sausage or ham hock for the smoked sausages.
- Using canned black-eyed peas skips soaking but rinse them well to reduce excess sodium.
- Fresh cherry tomatoes can be used instead of canned diced tomatoes and green chilies for a less spicy and fresher taste.
- Add cayenne pepper to cajun seasoning if you want a spicier dish.
- This dish pairs beautifully with cornbread or a green salad for a balanced Southern-style meal.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and also freeze well for up to 3 months.
