Make Popeyes-style Red Beans and Rice at home! Creamy, smoky, and comforting, this Louisiana classic simmers with sausage, spices, and love. A soul-satisfying dish that gets even better the next day.

Smoky Red Beans & Rice (Just Like Popeyes!)

🛒 Ingredients

(serves 4–6)

• 1 lb dried red beans (or 3 cups canned, drained)

• 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)

• 2 cups water

• 4 oz smoked sausage or ham hock

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ tsp liquid smoke

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp cayenne pepper

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp salt, to taste

• 1 tsp Creole seasoning (like Tony Chachere’s)

• 1 Tbsp butter

• 2 cups cooked long-grain rice

• Optional: chopped green onion or parsley for garnish

👩🏻‍🍳 Directions

1️⃣ Soak the beans (if using dried):
Rinse and soak overnight. Drain before cooking.

2️⃣ Sauté aromatics:
In a large pot, melt butter and sauté onion for 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute.

3️⃣ Add beans & flavor base:
Add beans, broth, water, smoked sausage or ham hock, liquid smoke, paprika, cayenne, black pepper, salt, and Creole seasoning.

4️⃣ Simmer low and slow:
Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 1½–2 hours (or 30–40 minutes if using canned beans) until creamy.

5️⃣ Mash & thicken:
Remove ½ cup beans, mash them, and stir back in to thicken the pot.

6️⃣ Taste & finish:
Adjust seasoning, remove sausage/ham hock if desired. Serve over warm rice and sprinkle with green onions.

❤️ Sunday Tip

For authentic Louisiana flavor, add a dash of hot sauce and serve with a side of cornbread.
It’s even better the next day — the flavors deepen beautifully overnight.