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If you’re wondering what to serve with your hoppin’ John, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I list 33 of the most popular side dishes for hoppin’ John.

In a rush? Here’s the short answer.

The best dishes to serve with hoppin’ john are hot water cornbread, spicy collard greens, stewed okra and tomatoes, and buttermilk fried chicken. You can also serve glazed pork chops, baked Cajun salmon, shrimp creole, and baked beef BBQ ribs. For a salad option, try green bean and tomato salad.

Ready? Let’s jump right in.

Spicy collard greens

Serving collard greens with hoppin’ john is a New Year’s tradition!

And I especially like this recipe – the soft greens are cooked low and slow with vinegar, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes, infusing them with a fiery kick.

Plus, you get this delicious concentrated broth at the bottom (pot likker), which you can spoon over your hoppin’ john for extra flavor.

Why we love this recipe: it’s nourishing comfort food.

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Apple cider glazed pork chops

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/9429480462763500/

Beef up your hoppin’ john with a serving of these glazed pork chops.

Aside from the pork chops, the remaining ingredients required are basic pantry staples.

And they’re a breeze to make – the sauce gets cooked in the same pan you seared your pork chops, making it tastier and minimizing the clean up.

Win-win!

Why we love this recipe: you can also bake these for a hands-off cooking approach.

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Stewed okra and tomatoes

Keep to the Southern theme by serving your hoppin’ john with stewed okra and tomatoes.

It’s a simple veggie side that’s hearty and super nourishing.

This recipe calls for bacon, which adds a smoky, savory bite, but you can easily skip this to keep it meat-free.

Psst… fancy some heat? Just add a splash of tabasco sauce as you eat.

Why we love this recipe: it’s budget-friendly.

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Buttermilk fried chicken

Everyone has their own recipes for making fried chicken, but this is my go-to.

It requires soaking the meat in brine to ensure moist and juicy chicken.

And then the chicken is double-coated in a spicy flour mixture to give it an irresistibly crunchy bite.

With fried chicken as good as this, you only need a simple base like hoppin’ john to complete the meal.

Why we love this recipe: who doesn’t love fried chicken?

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Hot water cornbread

This isn’t your usual cornbread recipe. Instead of baking the batter, you fry it.

The results? Crisp pancake-like treats that are light and oh-so-fluffy.

You need self-rising cornmeal to achieve this, but if you can’t find any, this recipe provides an easy DIY hack.

Why we love this recipe: you only need 3 ingredients!

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Baked Cajun salmon

Hoppin’ john is already rich in protein, thanks to the black-eyed peas but if you want more, pair it with this salmon dish.

Salmon is a protein powerhouse and packed with omega-3s and minerals like selenium and iodine, making it super healthy.

It also has a rich flavor, making it perfect for bold spice blends like Cajun seasoning.

Why we love this recipe: it requires zero hands-on cooking.

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Candied jalapenos

Also known as cowboy candies, these morsels are the perfect topping for your pinto beans.

They’ll provide a sweet and spicy kick that will balance out your creamy, savory hoppin’ john.

Psst… you can use whatever seasonings you want – try ground turmeric, celery seeds, or smoked paprika.

Why we love this recipe: you can get so much use from a single batch.

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Baked beef back ribs

This recipe will give you ribs with juicy, fall-off-the-bone meat, and a finger-lickingly good sauce… all in the comfort of your own kitchen.

Adding smoked paprika to the dry rub emulates that smoky flavor you normally get from the grill, but normal paprika will do in a pinch.

Pro tip: don’t open the foil packet before the 3 hours mark. You’ll release too much valuable steam!

Why we love this recipe: everyone will be clamoring for second helpings of these ribs.

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Oven-baked baby back beef ribs
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Green bean and tomato salad

Want to give your hoppin’ john a boost of freshness? This green bean salad is the way to go.

The green beans are blanched, making them perfectly crisp-tender and able to hold the dressing without getting soggy.

You can serve the salad as it is or jazz it up even further with feta and nuts.

Why we love this recipe: it’s a great salad for summer or winter.

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Andouille sausage with veggies

For those days when you’re too busy to cook, sheet pan dinners are lifesavers.

The oven does all of the cooking for you!

Psst…if you want our veggies and sausages to get extra crisp, broil them for a minute or two after roasting.

Pair this with Instant pot hoppin’ john for an effortless, satisfying meal.

Why we love this recipe: you can customize it to your taste.

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Shrimp creole

This classic Cajun dish is an excellent accompaniment to your hoppin’ john.

Aside from the meaty shrimps, the highlight of this dish is its vibrant, zesty sauce that’s based on the holy trinity of southern cooking (onions, green bell peppers, and celery).

YUM!

Why we love this recipe: the leftovers will taste even better the next day.

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The best side dishes to serve with hoppin’ John

Spicy collard greens
Apple cider glazed pork chops
Stewed okra and tomatoes
Buttermilk fried chicken
Hot water cornbread
Baked Cajun salmon
Candied jalapenos
Baked beef back ribs
Green bean and tomato salad
Andouille sausage with veggies
Shrimp creole