ByDonna Elick
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MyPopeyes Red Beans and Ricerecipe captures that creamy texture and smokey, peppery flavor perfectly. Savor this super delicious side dish! If you’re a fan of New Orleans flavors, pair this with your main dish!
Popeyes™ is known for their delicious, homestyle sides. Sometimes, I look forward to them more than my main meal!
And with my Popeyes red beans and rice recipe, you can save the trip and make it at home. I knew that I could make my own Popeye’s version of beans – and I did just that.
The creamy red beans are such an easy recipe to make, and I love the smoky flavor. Copycat recipes like this are the best!
Popeyes Red Beans and Rice
Savory red beans and deliciously sauteed peppers and onions over a bed of fluffy grains – my mouth is watering just thinking about it!
What are Popeyes sides usually served with? Chicken! Check out thisfried chickenrecipe that is super crispy and tasty.
Plus, it has a fraction of the calories since it’s made in the air fryer.
Let’s switch over to another fast food favorite for dessert.
MyMcDonald’s apple piecopycat recipe captures the ooey gooey flaky goodness of the retro apple pie in all of its glory.
Red Beans and Rice Popeyes Tips and Tricks
- Just like the real thing.For a more authentic Popeyes beans and rice recipe, run the finished dish through the blender or use an immersion blender to get that classic puree consistency.
- A little liquid smoke goes a long way!It’s a great way to get a smokey flavor in vegetarian dishes, but don’t overdo it – use ½ teaspoon at first, then add more to taste.
- Time saving tip:If you make rice often, then you may want to invest in a rice cooker. You’ll save space on the stove and get perfect, fluffy grains every time!
Popeyes Rice and Beans Serving Suggestions
The original red beans and rice Popeyes recipe is vegetarian, but either a ham hock or andouille sausage would taste amazing in this dish!
You can add the ham hock with everything else, but simmer the pot for at least 1 hour to really get a nice, deep flavor.
With sausage, it’s best to saute it first. Transfer it to a plate when done, cook the vegetables, then add it back in to simmer with the beans.
Popeyes Rice and Beans FAQs
What does liquid smoke taste like?
Well, it’s smokey! It gives a nice charred barbecue taste to your red beans and rice popeyes dish and gives every flavor more depth.
It’ssuperimportant to taste test when using it for the first time! Remember: a little goes a long way.
What should I pair with this easy Popeye’s red beans recipe?
When it comes to making Copycat Popeyes beans, it’s a hearty dish in its own right. You can easily enjoy this bean mixture as a main meal, or pair it with cooked rice to create a truly hearty dish.
While this is my favorite side dish to make because it has so much flavor, I do love to change the type of foods that I pair with it. The great flavor goes well with copycat Popeye’s chicken, white or brown rice, and even cooked smoked sausage.
Plus – this perfect side dish somehow tastes more flavorful the next day!
Can I use any kind of rice for this popeyes beans and rice recipe?
I use jasmine rice to mimic the original Popeyes rice and beans. It’s sticky and clumps well when served. However, you can certainly use another long grain variety in a pinch.
I add the fluffy white rice on top of the beans, but it’s up to you on how you fill the bowl.
How long do leftovers last in the refrigerator?
Once cooled, this Popeyes red beans and rice dish can be stored in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to store it in an airtight container.
What’s the easiest way to make this dish spicy?
The secret ingredient to add is red pepper flakes. You can sprinkle this on top of the bean recipe for a quick kick of heat. White pepper and cajun seasoning can also add a hint of heat to the bean mixture as well.
I always recommend that if you’re a fan of spicy foods, add these extra ingredients to your own bowl – and let everyone else do the same.
The reason for this is that when you add spice to the entire dish, this commits everyone who is eating it to eat spicy flavors. Not everyone likes spice or deals well with spice, so save the stress and worry and add the spice to your own individual serving instead.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Copycat Recipes
Popeyes Red Beans and Rice + Video
Donna Elick
Popeyes Red Beans and Rice is a Cajun side with creamy texture and smoky, peppery flavor. This copycat recipe replicates it perfectly!
5 stars from 2 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Method Stovetop
Servings 6 – 8
Ingredients
- 2 cups jasmine rice
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 4 cups water
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 rib of celery, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons tomato paste
- pinch of red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons Tony Chacher’s creole seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 2 30 ounce cans of red beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- Chopped Italian parsley for garnish
Instructions
Add rice, salt, and water to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook about 30 minutes or until all liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Set aside.
In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, add olive oil, onion, celery, and bell peppers. Saute for 5-8 minutes or until vegetables are soft and the onion is translucent.
Add garlic and saute 1 minute longer.
Add tomato paste, red pepper, creole seasoning, and liquid smoke and saute 1-2 minutes.
Add beans, chicken stock, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring mixture to a simmer, reduce heat, and cook, covered, for about 30 minutes total. Remove the lid during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking to reduce overall liquid level. Keep in mind that the beans will thicken as they cool.
Serve beans with a scoop of rice and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Video
Donna’s Notes
Meat can also be added to this recipe, but Popeye’s does not have meat. A hamhock or Andouille sausage would both be delicious. Saute the sausage before the vegetables, remove from the pot to cook the vegetables, and then add the sausage back in to simmer with the beans. The ham hock can be added along with the beans and chicken stock – simmer the whole pot for at least 1 hour to really get the flavor from the ham hocks integrated into the red beans.
For a more authentic Popeye’s dish, run the finished beans through a blender or use an immersion blender to produce a pureed consistency.
Liquid smoke is a nice alternative for vegetarian versions of this dish. Adjust the amount to taste – a little goes a long way.
Storage: Store in the refrigerator for 4-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 334cal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 1492mg | Sugar: 6g | Fiber: 3g | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 2mg
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Originally published February 2022, updated and republished January 2024
Disclosure: Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate linkyour price will remain the sameand The Slow Roasted Italian will automatically receive a small commission. Thank you for supporting us, it helps us keep creating new recipes.
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