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Copycat Popeye’s Red Beans and Rice Recipe

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4.6 from 103 reviews

This Copycat Popeye’s Red Beans and Rice recipe perfectly recreates the classic Southern side dish popularized by Popeyes. Creamy, flavorful red beans are slowly simmered with spices, liquid smoke, and bacon fat for an authentic smoky, savory taste, then served over fluffy white rice. Easy to prepare on the stovetop, this hearty dish is ideal for a comforting weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Beans Mixture

  • 2 16-oz cans red beans
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp hot sauce
  • 1/4 tsp liquid smoke
  • 3 tbsp bacon fat

Rice

  • 1/2 cup Uncle Bens Converted White Rice
  • 1.5 cups water
  • 1 tbsp butter

Instructions

  1. Cook the rice: In a saucepan, bring 1.5 cups water and 1 tablespoon butter to a boil. Add 1/2 cup Uncle Bens Converted White Rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes to fluff.
  2. Prepare the beans: Pour both cans of red beans with their juice into a large saucepan. Add 1/4 cup water, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp hot sauce, 1/4 tsp liquid smoke, and 3 tbsp bacon fat. Stir to combine.
  3. Mash the beans: Using a potato masher, partially mash the beans mixture, leaving some beans whole for texture.
  4. Simmer the beans: Cook the bean mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until it thickens and most of the liquid evaporates, about 15 minutes. Be careful to prevent sticking.
  5. Serve: Once both the rice and beans are ready, serve the fluffy white rice over the rich, smoky red bean mixture to replicate the authentic Popeyes presentation.

Notes

  • For extra smoky flavor, use bacon fat as instructed or substitute with smoked paprika if unavailable.
  • Adjust hot sauce quantity based on your preferred spice level.
  • Uncle Bens Converted White Rice gives optimal texture but you may use other long-grain white rice varieties with similar cooking method.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat gently on stovetop or microwave.

Find it online: https://queenrecipe.com/copycat-popeyes-red-beans-and-rice-recipe/