Instant Pot Hoppin John

Here’s the best Instant Pot Hoppin John with ham recipe that’s made in just 30 minutes. We use dried black eyed peas with no soak required either! Great with leftover or ham hocks. You’ll love this traditional New Years recipe.

Instant Pot Hoppin John

Either way this easy Hoppin John recipe with ham is super yummy and a great way to use leftover ham like we did here. I used dry black eyed peas with NO soaking required when using your pressure cooker but if you’d like to use frozen that is an option too.

Same goes with our Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas and Ham recipe that we tend to make year round. Difference is this doesn’t incorporate the kale or cheese on the top. Of course those are optional as well and it is fantastic without them, just use what is your favorite ingredients beyond the basics.

Ninja Foodi Hoppin John

I don’t like canned because they can get quite mushy in the Instant Pot so I’d opt for frozen or dried, dried is best. This is what ours looked like when it was done….and in just 30 minutes! If you haven’t tried this fun comfort food before I suggest that you do. It might become a new year tradition for your family too.

Don’t have an IP? No problem, it can be made in a Crockpot Express or as a Ninja Foodi recipe too with the lid that is not attached. As long as it is electric and has the high pressure function this can be made to be enjoyed year round really.

Why is it called Hoppin John?

What is Hoppin John anyway?? Well I have to be honest, I had no idea until a friend of mine said she was making it for dinner the other night. I am a sucker for recipes with fun names so I asked her about it and she said it was a popular southern dish made for New Years but she loved it so much they made it year round.

So…..I did a little research about where the name came from and it’s origination and this is what I found. Tradition began in the Southern United States. Eating Hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day is thought to bring a prosperous year filled with luck.

What do you eat with Hoppin’ John?

Serving leafy green vegetables (we used kale) served along with this dish (or inside like I did) are supposed to add wealth since it’s the color of money!

• Another traditional side served with Hoppin John is cornbread, you can make our pressure cooker cornbread recipe to serve with it.
• On the day after New Year’s Day leftovers are usually called Skippin’ Jenny bringing a hope for an even better chance of prosperity in the New Year.

Doesn’t this look yummy ?? Topped with smoked gouda it really was a hit with all 5 of us.

Instant Pot Hoppin John Recipe Ingredients

1. Bag of black eyed peas – can use frozen or canned but time will be different than that in the recipe card below
2. Ham – diced leftover ham is what we used, can use a ham hock
3. Can of diced tomatoes
4. Butter
5. Chicken broth
6. Onion and celery is optional
7. Rice – make separately, here’s how to make perfect Instant Pot white rice
8. Smoked gouda
9. Spices
10. Kale is wonderful and traditional

Additional Instant Pot Hoppin John Ingredients

When it comes to adding vegetables really the sky is the limit. The only thing you really want to remember is that everything should be submerged to get tender. If you add too many then they will sit out of the sauce/liquid and not work well.

• Add diced celery
• Add diced bell peppers
• Don’t the kale I added inside and/or serve sauteed collard greens on the side
• You could use frozen black eyed peas vs. dried but that will alter the cook time. 30 minutes on high pressure vs 12 would be the difference.
• You could omit the smoked gouda cheese on top, or use a different type but this is our favorite
• Use a ham hock instead of diced ham like we did, and some like adding bay leaves

You could use 4 cups water instead of chicken broth but that wouldn’t add any flavor so I wouldn’t suggest that substitution but is an option.

Leftovers are great too, just make a fresh pot of rice and serve on top with cheese and you’ve got a second meal! Watch our video to see how easy it is to make this traditional New Years recipe

Can you use canned and pre cooked black eyed peas instead of dry?

You could but it will be mushier. See timing difference in step 4 if you want to do it this way. Timing with this cooking method is 12 minutes instead with a quick release. I’m telling you that to pressure cook dry beans is super easy. I would highly recommend this method.

Now with our Instant Pot red beans and rice I have used canned and it worked but in that dish you want them softer, at least we do.

Can you use something other than black-eyed peas to make Hoppin John?

I mean it wouldn’t be traditional that way but yes you could use anything since you’re making it yourself. Northern beans would work, or Pinto but either would have a totally different flavor profile. You could get close using the same other ingredients listed below though.

After you’d made this here are a few other Instant Pot dinner recipes you’ll enjoy

• Pressure cooker chili with dry beans is super easy to throw together from scratch.
• Healthy Instant Pot pinto bean soup

How can you make Hoppin’ John better?

There are many variations to traditional Hoppin’ John. Some cook black-eyed peas and rice in one pot with cajun seasoning to make it spicy. We omitted the rice and added diced tomatoes instead because we preferred it that way.  Others insist on simmering ingredients separately.

We’re all about one pot meals though so that’s not our style. Some also like to add the collard greens to the pot, that isn’t my favorite veggie so I opted for kale. The favorite traditional way to eat this meal is with collard greens and corn bread.

Here is the printable recipe below, good luck!