Popeyes Red Beans and Rice Copycat Recipe + Video
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My Popeyes Red Beans and Rice recipe 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 this fried chicken recipe 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.
My McDonald’s apple pie copycat 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
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’s super important to taste test when using it for the first time! Remember: a little goes a long way.
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!
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.
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.
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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Popeyes Red Beans and Rice Copycat Recipe + Video
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
Nutrition
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.
Originally published February 2022, updated and republished January 2024
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Are those beans kidney beans? Also you said run thru a blender, your pictures dont look like this recipe has been blended. Do you mean run a small portion thru a blender?
Thank you
You could make this with kidney beans, but the recipe is literally for 'red beans' referring to the name of the beans. I prefer not to blend the beans, but Popeyes does blend theirs so I mentioned that you could blend the finished product to get a more authentic copycat. I hope that helps! Happy Cooking.
These are awesome, and even better than popeyes. I prefer not to blend them, but that’s just my preference.
Popeye’s red beans & rice is a mere shadow of its former self. You now get about a tablespoon of beans on your rice. So sad…and I assure you there are no longer any onions or peppers in it. I’m sure this is better.
I love your recipe, though the tomato paste had a little richness, I had managed to tweek with a little more liquid smoke, chicken bouillon and ham hocks. Delicious and everyone else was delighted. Thank you kindly!😋 😋 😋
Hi Chuck!
Those are very good additions. Glad it turned out well!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
this red beans and rice recipe is simply incredible! so easy to make and it tastes just like the one from Popeyes. Donna and Chad from The Slow Roasted Italian really nailed it!
Hi Charlotte!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe.
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
Wow, I can’t believe how delicious and easy this recipe is! The flavors are spot on, and it’s a perfect side dish. Thanks to The Slow Roasted Italian for another winner!
Hi Aiden!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
what type of liquid smoke do you use? Hickery or some other flavour?
Hi Kim!
We use Hickory, hope that helps. Have a great day!
TSRI Team Member,
Holli