Description
Experience the comforting flavors of the South with this creamy and perfectly seasoned Popeyes-style Red Beans and Rice recipe. Featuring tender red beans simmered with smoky bacon and vibrant Creole seasonings, served over fluffy, buttery rice, this dish offers a hearty, soul-warming meal you’ll love.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the Red Beans
- 1/4 cup bacon, chopped
- 2 cans (15 oz each) red beans, drained
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke (or smoked paprika as an alternative)
Instructions
- Boil Water for Rice: Bring 4 cups of water to a vigorous boil in a large saucepan to prepare for cooking the rice to a fluffy texture.
- Cook Rice: Stir in 1 cup of uncooked rice and 1 tablespoon of butter. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes until the rice is tender and all water is absorbed.
- Cook Bacon: In a deep skillet over medium heat, cook 1/4 cup of chopped bacon until crispy and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
- Prepare Bacon Fat: Optionally remove the bacon bits, but retain the flavorful bacon fat in the skillet for cooking the beans.
- Add Beans: Pour in the 2 cans of drained red beans. Use a potato masher to mash half of the beans while leaving some whole for texture.
- Season Beans: Mix in 1 cup of water, 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning, and 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke for authentic Southern flavors.
- Simmer Beans: Let the beans simmer gently over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld.
- Serve: Ladle the creamy beans into bowls and top with a generous scoop of the fluffy rice. Serve hot and enjoy the hearty, comforting meal.
Notes
- You can substitute smoked paprika if liquid smoke is unavailable.
- For a vegetarian version, omit bacon and use olive oil instead.
- Adjust Creole seasoning to your spice preference.
- Leftover beans and rice reheat well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Using a rice cooker can simplify the rice cooking process.
