Hoppin' John

Hoppin' John is a classic Southern U.S. dish made with black-eyed peas, rice, and often smoked pork like ham hock or bacon. It's a staple of Southern cuisine, particularly associated with New Year's Day traditions for bringing good luck.

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🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

It's a hearty, balanced meal that's high in plant-based protein and fiber from the peas, with carbohydrates from the rice. A typical serving provides around 400-500 calories, along with iron, folate, and other essential minerals.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	280 kcal
Protein	15 g
Carbs	40 g
Fat	5 g
Fiber	10 g
Sugar	3 g
Sodium	650 mg
Iron	4 mg
Potassium	450 mg
Folate	120 mcg
Magnesium	60 mg
Zinc	2 mg
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)	0.3 mg
Phosphorus	180 mg
Calcium	50 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, eating Hoppin' John on New Year's Day is a deep-rooted tradition believed to ensure prosperity—the peas represent coins, and the greens often served alongside represent paper money. Nutritionally, it's an excellent example of a complete protein when the legume (black-eyed pea) and grain (rice) are combined.