Copycat Popeye’s Red Beans & Rice

Copycat Popeye’s Red Beans & Rice

Copycat Popeye’s Red Beans & Rice

calories in red beans and rice popeyes

Popeye’s Red Beans & Rice is one of my favorite take-out side dishes and making at home is SO SIMPLE!!! This Copycat Popeye’s recipe has creamy red beans with a slightly smoky flavor topped with fluffy white rice – the perfect side!

I don’t have a Popeye’s anywhere near me and I was missing their Red Beans and Rice – it was my favorite side so I decided to just make it for myself and I was shocked with how easy – I can’t wait to share my SECRET ingredient with you!

(Don’t miss my recipe for their Popeye’s Strawberry Biscuits!)

Does Popeye’s Red Beans and Rice have meat in it?

Well that’s where the secret ingredient comes in! It doesn’t have meat – but it does have – wait for it – bacon grease! Bhahahahaha! I have a jar on my counter for the bacon grease after I make air fryer bacon – so it was just right there waiting to be used! It adds so much flavor!!!

Does Popeye’s Red Beans use Kidney Beans?

Nope!!! Red beans and Rice is made with RED BEANS! Red beans are smaller, more of an oblong shape and are pinkish red. They’re not as hard and are smoother. They’re super cheap too – this recipe uses two cans of them.

How to make Red Beans and Rice Like Popeye’s?

It’s so easy! First – start your rice! You can use any white rice – I used Uncle Ben’s Converted White Rice – it takes a while to cook – but it ends up being the same amount of time you need for the beans!

Next up – the easiest part! Dump two cans of red beans in a sauce pan and start heating them up. As they’re heating – grab your potato masher and start mashing. You don’t want to mash them all! You still need some bean pieces.

Then you’ll add the rest of your ingredients – including the bacon fat – and thicken it up. As you cook it – uncovered – it’ll reduce and thicken up.

Once it’s thick – your rice should be done and you’re ready to serve! the bacon fat and liquid smoke are definitely the keys to success here – so don’t skip either ingredient!

This recipe is one I’m going to be making all the time!!! I couldn’t believe how easy it was and delicious. I had the leftovers for lunch a couple of days! This makes four servings – and it reheats perfectly in the microwave. It’s so good!

What to serve with Red Beans & Rice?

Really – you just need some meat – right?! Here are some of my favorites:

  • These Garlic Brown Sugar Pork Chops are a perfect complement to the red beans & rice.
  • Check out my tips on making the PERFECT medium rare steak with Texas Roadhouse Steak Seasoning
  • Since RBR is a southern dish – you could make Mary Mac’s Chicken Fried Chicken to go with it – so good and there’s gravy!
  • Grilled Pork Chops are delicious with red beans & rice!

Other Copycat Side Dish Recipes

  • Popeye’s Strawberry Biscuits
  • Chipotle Black Beans
  • Texas Roadhouse Honey Butter
  • PF Chang’s Fried Rice
  • Ruby Slipper Buttermilk Biscuits
  • More Copycat Recipes

This post was last modified on December 3, 2024 11:20 am