Skip to content

Top Navigation

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Food and Recipes
  • Culture and Lifestyle
  • Style
  • Holidays & Occasions
  • Home
  • Gardening Ideas
  • News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Southern Living

Southern Living Southern Living
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      The Best New Haircuts to Try in 2022

      Here are the haircuts you'll be seeing everywhere this year. Read More
    • How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      How To Season A Cast-Iron Skillet

      Learn how to season this Southern kitchen staple in five easy steps. Read More
    • 50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      50 Thoughtful Messages for a Meaningful Thank You Note

      Not sure what to write in a thank you card? Here's how to show your gratitude with a handwritten note. Read More
  • Food and Recipes

    Food and Recipes

    See All Food and Recipes
    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    4 Easy Ways to Tell if an Egg Has Gone Bad

    It’s not all in the senses, but they sure can help.
    • Recipes
    • Quick and Easy Dinner
    • Kitchen Assistant
    • Casserole
    • Holiday and Occasion Food
    • Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Desserts
    • Healthy and Light
    • Side Dishes
    • Party Food and Drink
    • Appetizers
    • Meat
    • Breakfast
    • BBQ
    • Drinks
    • What's Cooking
  • Culture and Lifestyle

    Culture and Lifestyle

    See All Culture and Lifestyle
    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    70 Cute and Funny Nicknames For Your Best Friends

    Let your besties know how much they mean to you with these unique nicknames.
    • Quotes and Sayings
    • Biscuits and Jam Podcast
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Healthy Living
    • Coastal Living
  • Style

    Style

    See All Style
    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The Coziest Winter Nail Colors for January 2022

    The beginning of a new year often has us all feeling like starting off fresh by taking on better habits, getting rid of old ones, and—most commonly—changing up our look. While others are hitting the squats and going into the salon for a pixie cut, why not start slow and steady with a cozy winter manicure in a color that feels new to you? It takes only a little courage to step outside your usual OPI Lincoln Park After Dark or Essie Bordeaux, which is all you need to kick 2022 off on a fanciful foot.  From new wintry takes on classic dark nail colors to unique pops of color that'll have you feeling the opposite of boring, these are the best nail colors to try this January and tick off all the way into spring. 
    • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Fashion
    • Short Hairstyles
    • Nails
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Skincare
    • Long Hairstyles
  • Holidays & Occasions

    Holidays & Occasions

    See All Holidays & Occasions
    • Thanksgiving
    • Gifts
    • Christmas
    • Mother's Day
    • Hanukkah
    • New Year's
    • Easter
    • Mardi Gras
    • 4th of July
    • Weddings
  • Home

    Home

    See All Home
    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    16 Kitchen Design Trends Southern Designers Predict Will Be Everywhere in 2022

    There's no denying how the pandemic fundamentally changed the world—including how we live (and work) inside our homes. An overall trend toward celebrating the history and originality of our homes is displacing ultramodern aesthetics and sharp lines as we all look to create cozier, colorful, more personalized spaces that better suit our lifestyles. We're turning away from big-box stores and toward vintage items—first, out of necessity due to supply-chain issues, and now, for design reasons—to add charm and character to every room in the house, including the kitchen. Here, interior designers from around the South share their predictions for what's trending in kitchen design for 2022 and beyond.
    • Home Decor Ideas
    • Idea Houses
    • Kitchen Design
    • Before & After Photos
    • Bathroom Design
    • Curb Appeal
    • Bedroom Design
    • DIY Home Decor
    • Color Palettes & Paint
    • House Plans & Builders
    • Inspired Communities
  • Gardening Ideas

    Gardening Ideas

    See All Gardening Ideas
    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    If You Keep Finding Ladybugs in Your House, Here's What You Need to Know

    Plus a few strategies for keeping them out-of-doors
    • Container Gardening
    • Gardening Flowers
    • Fruit, Vegetable & Herb Gardens
    • Garden Pests
    • Plant Guides A-Z
    • Indoor Plants
    • Fall Plants
    • Landscaping Ideas
    • The Grumpy Gardener
  • News

    News

    See All News
    • Celebrities
    • Local News
  • Video

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Southern Living
  2. Holidays & Occasions
  3. New Year's
  4. 12 Delicious Ways with Hoppin' John That Are Perfect for New Year's Day

12 Delicious Ways with Hoppin' John That Are Perfect for New Year's Day

Kaitlyn Yarborough, Assistant Editor and Writer for Southern Living
By Kaitlyn Yarborough Updated December 17, 2021
Skip gallery slides
FB
Hoppin' John Soup
Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

For many Southerners, New Year's Day means we're eating one thing: Hoppin' John. With a side of collard greens and cornbread, as a rule. A hearty bowlful of this classic recipe filled with black-eyed peas, Carolina Gold rice, and ham hock (or bacon) ensures we kick off the year with a promise of good fortune. As it goes, the black-eyed peas represent coins or, because they swell when cooked, symbolize growing prosperity. Collard greens represent paper money, and cornbread looks something akin to gold. (If you cook it correctly.) Southerners eat this sacred trio—black-eyed peas, potlikker greens, and cornbread—because we're a tad on the superstitious side.

For those who aren't, it certainly doesn't hurt to chow on a New Year's Day meal this delicious. Hoppin' John might be ultra-traditional, but we're not afraid of tweaking it every now and then. Make our forever-classic versions, whether made in the slow-cooker or served as a soup, or try something different, like our crispy Hoppin' John cakes and hush puppies. Whatever you choose, make one of these 12 delicious Hoppin' John recipes this New Year's Day.

Start Slideshow

1 of 12

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Classic Hoppin' John

Classic Hoppin’ John
Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Mary-Claire Britton

Recipe: Classic Hoppin' John

Consider this the ultimate classic recipe. When served for the New Year, this Lowcountry dish promises prosperity with its perfect blend of Carolina Gold rice, black-eyed peas, and bacon.

1 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 12

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Hoppin' John Soup

Hoppin' John Soup
Credit: Johnny Autry; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Recipe: Hoppin' John Soup

The most important rule in making Hoppin' John is to cook everything together in the same pot. This soup makes it easy. Smoked turkey wings, country ham, and collard greens make it overflow with flavor.

2 of 12

3 of 12

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Hoppin' John Cakes with Tomato-Jalapeño Gravy

Hoppin' John Cakes with Tomato-Jalapeño Gravy
Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Hoppin' John Cakes with Tomato-Jalapeño Gravy

These crispy cakes will make you rethink the one-pot version, at least for the day. A tomato-jalapeño gravy gives a warm, slightly fiery finishing touch.

3 of 12

Advertisement

4 of 12

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Hoppin' John Noodle Bowls

Hoppin' John Noodle Bowls
Credit: Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Hoppin' John Noodle Bowls

If you're thinking outside of the box, these noodle bowls just might be the ticket. Black-eyed peas, collard greens, and pickled okra make it as Southern as can be.

4 of 12

5 of 12

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Slow-Cooker Hoppin' John

Hoppin’ John
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Hoppin' John

If you're still nursing the post-holiday blues, this slow-cooker rendition makes it almost too easy to get back in the spirit. Just set it, and forget about it until dinnertime.

5 of 12

6 of 12

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Hoppin' John with Braised Oxtail

Hoppin' Juan
Credit: Erin Kunkel; Styling: Melissa Padilla

Recipe: Hoppin' John with Braised Oxtail

Chef Sheldon Simeon updated the Lowcountry staple with braised oxtail as a nod to his time on Top Chef season 14 in Charleston.

6 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 12

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Hoppin' John Hush Puppies

Hoppin' John Hush Puppies
Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Hoppin' John Hush Puppies

We transformed this Lowcountry classic into a crispy, satisfying fritter—you can thank us later. Serve these bites with our tomato-corn relish, and it's absolute snackable heaven.

7 of 12

8 of 12

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Hoppin' John Parfaits

Hoppin' John Parfaits Recipe
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Hoppin' John Parfaits

Why not turn the dish into an adorably miniature appetizer? With layers of black-eyed peas, hot cooked rice, and a marinated tomato mixture, these parfaits make a charming addition to the New Year's spread.

8 of 12

9 of 12

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Summer Hoppin' John Salad

Summer Hoppin' John Salad
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Summer Hoppin' John Salad

We'd happily serve Hoppin' John all year long, and this salad variation works from New Year's Day to summertime picnics.

9 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 12

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Hoppin' John Stew with White Cheddar Cheese Grits

Hoppin' John Stew with White Cheddar Cheese Grits
Credit: Photo: Van Chaplin

Recipe: Hoppin' John Stew with White Cheddar Cheese Grits

As far as we're concerned, grits are never an unwelcome idea. Though we're generally partial to Carolina Gold rice, these cheesy grits have us feeling okay about the switch.

10 of 12

11 of 12

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Hoppin' John Salad

Hoppin' John Salad
Credit: Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Hoppin' John Salad

Trust us, this dish uses the term "salad" loosely. Kick off the year feeling good with this take on Hoppin' John with fresh mint, parsley, and jalapeño peppers.

11 of 12

12 of 12

FB
Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print

Hoppin' John Stew

Hoppin’ John Stew
Credit: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

Recipe: Hoppin' John Stew

Smoked sausage is the unabashed star of this stew. This Hoppin' John recipe feeds a crowd.

12 of 12

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Kaitlyn Yarborough

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 12 Classic Hoppin' John
    2 of 12 Hoppin' John Soup
    3 of 12 Hoppin' John Cakes with Tomato-Jalapeño Gravy
    4 of 12 Hoppin' John Noodle Bowls
    5 of 12 Slow-Cooker Hoppin' John
    6 of 12 Hoppin' John with Braised Oxtail
    7 of 12 Hoppin' John Hush Puppies
    8 of 12 Hoppin' John Parfaits
    9 of 12 Summer Hoppin' John Salad
    10 of 12 Hoppin' John Stew with White Cheddar Cheese Grits
    11 of 12 Hoppin' John Salad
    12 of 12 Hoppin' John Stew

    Share & More

    Tweet Pinterest Email Send Text Message Print
    Southern Living

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Southern Living
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    MeredithSouthern Living is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. Southern Living is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab All Rights Reserved. Southern Living may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Southern Living. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.southernliving.com

    Sign in

    View image

    12 Delicious Ways with Hoppin' John That Are Perfect for New Year's Day
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.