Popeyes Red Beans and Rice: Prices, Calories & Recipe

Popeyes red beans and rice is a popular side dish known for its rich and smoky flavor. It combines creamy red beans with seasoned rice, making it a hearty and satisfying choice. The price may vary by location, but it is usually affordable, making it a great addition to any meal.

In terms of calories, a regular serving has around 230 calories, while a large serving contains more. If you want to make it at home, cook red beans with smoked sausage or ham, add Cajun spices, and serve it over rice. This homemade version brings the same bold taste with fresh ingredients.

Popeyes Red Beans and Rice Prices & Calories

This is a flavorful and filling side dish available in regular and large sizes. The price may vary by location, but it remains an affordable choice for a tasty meal addition. Below is the latest price and calorie information for 2025.

Popeyes Red Beans and Rice Recipe

This is a classic Southern-style side dish known for its creamy texture and smoky flavor. This copycat recipe brings the same delicious taste to your kitchen using simple ingredients. With red beans, flavorful seasonings, and perfectly cooked rice, you can enjoy this comforting dish at any time. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to make your own Popeyes-style Red Beans and Rice at home. (Copycat Recipe)

Red Beans and Rice Ingredients

These ingredients help replicate the original Popeyes red beans & rice taste. The key to its smoky flavor is the combination of liquid smoke and bacon grease, which gives the beans their signature taste. To make this Popeyes-style Red Beans and Rice, you will need:

For the Beans:

• 2 cans of red beans (not kidney beans)
• ½ cup water
• ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)
• 2 tablespoons bacon grease or butter (for extra flavor)

For the Rice:

• 1 cup white rice
• 2 cups water
• ½ teaspoon salt (optional)

Instructions for Cooking

Step 1: Cook the Rice

• In a medium pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
• Add 1 cup of white rice and a pinch of salt (if using).
• Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes until the water is absorbed.
• Once cooked, remove from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

2: Prepare the Beans

• In a medium saucepan, add the canned red beans along with ½ cup of water.
• Use a potato masher or fork to mash about half of the beans while leaving some whole for texture.
• Stir in the liquid smoke, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using).
• Let the mixture simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Add the Flavor

• Stir in the bacon grease or butter to enhance the creamy texture and smoky flavor.
• Continue to simmer until the beans are thick and smooth.

Step 4: Serve with Rice

• Once the beans are ready, spoon them over a bowl of white rice and serve warm.

This easy copycat recipe captures the restaurant’s signature flavor and is perfect for a quick homemade meal.

Tips for the Best Taste

Make it smokier: Add a little more liquid smoke for a stronger smoky flavor, but don’t use too much.

Using dry beans: Soak 1 cup of dried red beans overnight, then boil them until they are soft before mashing.

Add more spice: Sprinkle extra cayenne pepper or serve with hot sauce for extra heat.

Richer, meatier flavor: Instead of liquid smoke, cook the beans with a smoked ham hock for a deeper taste.

Is Popeyes Red Beans & Rice Vegetarian?

No, the traditional Popeyes dish is not vegetarian because it includes bacon grease. However, you can make a vegetarian version by using butter or olive oil instead and choosing a plant-based liquid smoke.

How to Make a Vegetarian Version

To make this dish meat-free, follow the same recipe but with these changes:

• Use olive oil or plant-based butter instead of bacon grease.
• Make sure your liquid smoke is vegetarian.
• Add ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika for extra flavor.

This version keeps the same smoky and delicious taste while being completely plant-based.

Popeyes Red Beans and Rice Nutritional Information

This is a flavorful side dish, but it is also high in fat and sodium. The regular size has 250 calories, while the large size has 610 calories. It provides a good amount of fiber and protein but contains a significant amount of sodium and fat. Below is the full nutritional breakdown.

Conclusion

Popeyes red beans and rice is a tasty and comforting side dish with a rich, smoky flavor. It comes in regular and large sizes at a budget-friendly price. This dish has a good amount of protein and fiber, but it is also high in fat and sodium. Making it at home is easy with a copycat recipe that uses simple ingredients. A vegetarian version is possible by replacing bacon grease with plant-based options. Enjoying this dish from Popeyes or homemade, it remains a flavorful favorite.

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