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Popeyes Red Beans and Rice Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 114 reviews

This recipe recreates Popeyes’ famous Red Beans and Rice, featuring creamy, smoky red beans simmered in bacon fat and spices, served over fluffy, buttery white rice. It’s a hearty, comforting Louisiana-inspired dish perfect for a flavorful weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Beans and Seasoning

  • 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

  • 2 cups cooked white rice (drained)
  • 1/2 cup Uncle Ben’s Converted White Rice (dry)
  • 1.5 cups water
  • 1 tbsp butter

Instructions

  1. Start the rice: Bring 1.5 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Add 1/2 cup Uncle Ben’s rice and 1 tablespoon butter. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 20 minutes until the water is absorbed and rice is tender.
  2. Prepare the beans: Pour both cans of red beans, including the juice, into a large saucepan. Add 1/4 cup water, onion powder, garlic powder, hot sauce, salt, liquid smoke, and bacon fat.
  3. Mash the beans: Use a potato masher to partially mash the beans and seasoning together, leaving some beans intact to maintain texture.
  4. Simmer the beans: Cook the bean mixture slowly over medium heat for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until thickened and excess water has evaporated.
  5. Finish the rice: Once cooked, remove the rice from heat and let it sit covered for five minutes to fluff and absorb any remaining moisture.
  6. Serve: Remove both the beans and rice from heat. For an authentic Popeyes presentation, plate the cooked rice over the warm spiced red beans.

Notes

  • Use bacon fat for authentic smoky flavor; however, butter or oil can be substituted for a lighter version.
  • Partial mashing of beans gives the classic creamy yet chunky texture.
  • If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the hot sauce slightly.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on stovetop or microwave.

Keywords: Popeyes, red beans and rice, Louisiana, Creole, red beans, rice, Southern, smoky beans, easy side dish

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