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Hoppin' John

Black-eyed peas cooked with smoked sausage, onion, and celery over rice. A Southern American staple that has been feeding people cheaply for a very long time.

Total Cost $9.39
Per Serving $2.35
Prep 10 min
Cook 30 min
Servings 4
  • beans
  • rice
  • pork
  • one-pot
  • southern
  • high-protein

Ingredients

  • 2 cans (540 mL each) black-eyed peas, drained $3.00
  • 300 g dry long-grain white rice $0.75
  • 200 g smoked sausage or kielbasa, sliced $1.75
  • 1 medium onion, diced $1.23
  • 2 stalks celery, diced $0.60
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced $0.24
  • 500 mL chicken broth $0.83
  • 1 tsp dried thyme $0.05
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika $0.03
  • 1 bay leaf $0.02
  • to taste salt, black pepper, and hot sauce $0.03
  • 2 green onions, sliced (for serving) $0.66
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil $0.06
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper $0.03
  • 1 tsp apple cider or white vinegar $0.05
  • 0.5 tsp onion powder $0.03
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder $0.03
  • Recipe total$9.39

Instructions

  1. Cook the rice according to package directions.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the sausage slices and cook until lightly browned, about 3–4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  3. Add onion and celery to the same pan. Cook 5 minutes until softened.
  4. Add garlic, thyme, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne. Cook 1 minute.
  5. Add the black-eyed peas, broth, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
  6. Return the sausage to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered 15 minutes until the broth reduces slightly.
  7. Add the vinegar. Stir and simmer 2 more minutes.
  8. Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and hot sauce.
  9. Serve over rice. Top with green onions.

Nutrition per Serving

Estimated values per serving.

476 Calories
24g Protein
73g Carbs
10g Fat
10g Fiber
720mg Sodium
~20% DV Iron~8% DV Calcium

Gluten-Free

This recipe can be made gluten-free with substitutions.

  • Replace smoked sausage or kielbasa with verify the sausage brand is GF — some contain fillers. Schneiders and Hygrade kielbasa are typically GF. (no cost difference)

Black-eyed peas, rice, and vegetables are naturally gluten-free. Check the broth label as well.

Budget Notes

  • Black-eyed peas are sometimes hard to find at mainstream Ontario grocery stores. PC, No Name, and Unico brand carry them — check the canned bean aisle.
  • The sausage is more of a flavour component than a protein base here. 200 g is enough. Skip it entirely to make this vegan — add a teaspoon of smoked paprika to compensate.
  • Traditionally served on New Year's Day in the American South for good luck. The cultural context doesn't lower the grocery bill, but it's a good reason to cook it.