Popeyes Red Beans & Rice

Popeyes’ Red Beans and Rice, a popular side dish, combine tender red beans with smoky chorizo, rich seasonings and hearty brown rice. Slow-cooked beans allow the flavors to blend to create a flavorful, comforting dish. This is how to make a Southern favorite.

Ingredients

Red Beans

• 1 pound of dried red kidney beans
• Olive oil 1 tablespoon
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 diced bell pepper
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 smoked sausage link, sliced (or 2 if you like extra sausage)
• 1 Bay Leaf
• Thyme dried 1 teaspoon
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• Cayenne pepper, 14 teaspoons (adjust according to taste).
• Black pepper, 1 teaspoon
• Salt to taste: 1/2 teaspoon
• 6 cups of chicken broth (or chicken bouillon in water)
• Add 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce to the recipe for an extra-rich flavor.
• Hot sauce, optional (if you like it spicy).

Rice is a good choice:

• 2 cups of long-grain rice
• 4 cups of water
• Add 1 tablespoon of butter for flavor.
• 1 teaspoon of salt

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Red Beans. If using dried red kidney beans, rinse them well and place them into a large bowl. Let the beans soak in water overnight (or for at least 6-8 hrs). You can also use the quick soak method if you don’t want to soak the beans. Bring the water and the beans to a boil and let them sit for about 2 minutes. Then cover them and let them rest for one hour. Drain and rinse the beans after soaking.

To remove excess sodium and preservatives, drain and rinse canned beans.

Step 2: Cooking the Sausage and Vegetables. Heat olive oil in a large pot, Dutch oven or saucepan over medium heat. The sausage should be cooked for 5-6 minutes until it is browned and crispy. The smoky flavors from the sausage will be released and will infuse into the beans.

Add the celery, onion, bell pepper and garlic once the sausage has been cooked. Sauté everything for 5 minutes or until the vegetables have softened and garlic has become fragrant.

Step 3: Add Beans and Seasonings. Add the dried thyme (bay leaf), cayenne pepper (black pepper), and salt to the pot. Stir the seasonings into the vegetables and sausage to coat them evenly.

Add the red beans (drained and soaked) to the pot along with the water or chicken broth. Add Worcestershire sauce or hot sauce to the pot at this stage if you want more heat and depth. Stir well to combine.

Step 4: Simmer the Beans. Bring mixture to a rolling boil, reduce heat to low, and cover the pot. Let the beans simmer between 1 1/2 and 2 hours or until they are softened and the flavors are unified. Stir the beans occasionally. If it becomes too thick, you can add more water or broth.

As the beans cook, taste them and add salt, pepper or hot sauce if necessary.

Step 5: Prepare the Rice While you are cooking the beans, prepare the white rice. Bring 4 cups of water in a separate pan to a rolling boil. Add the butter and salt (if you are using them). Add the 2 cups of rice to the boiling water, stir and turn the heat down. Cover the pan, and cook it for 18-20 minutes or until the rice has become tender and all the water has been absorbed.

When the rice is ready, fluff it with a fork. Cover it until you are ready to serve.

Step 6: Serve Red Beans with Rice Remove the bay leaf once the beans have become tender and absorbed all the flavors. Serve the beans on a bed of hot, fluffy rice. For added color and flavor, you can add some extra hot sauce.

Red Beans and rice: Tips to make it perfect

• Sausage options: To get the true Popeyes taste, choose a smoked meat sausage such as Andouille or Kielbasa. These sausages give the beans a rich, smoky taste. Andouille is a great choice if you prefer a spicy kick.
• Slow Cooking: the longer you simmer the beans, the richer the flavor will be. You can simmer beans for up to three hours if you have the time. This will give them a richer, deeper taste. If the liquid is reduced too much, add more water or broth.
• You can adjust the spice level by adjusting cayenne and hot sauce. Reduce the cayenne pepper or leave out the hot sauce if you want a milder dish.
• Dutch Oven: Use a Dutch Oven or a heavy-bottomed pot for even cooking. This will ensure that the beans are cooked evenly and prevent them from burning at the bottom.

Why This Recipe Works:

This recipe for homemade Popeyes Red Beans and Rice combines the earthy flavor and richness of the sausage with the rich, earthy taste of red beans. The seasonings and spices create a rich, flavorful base, while the creamy texture from the beans complements the fluffy rice. This is a satisfying, filling dish that can be served on its own or as a side with fried chicken or shrimp.