Copycat Popeye's Red Beans And Rice Recipe
Recreate the classic Popeye’s Red Beans and Rice at home with this easy recipe. Creamy red beans simmered with smoky ham hock, blended to perfection, and served over fluffy long-grain rice. A budget-friendly, comforting dish that tastes just like the original!
4 Servings
Ingredients
- 3 16-ounce cans red beans (2 cans with liquid, 1 can drained)
- ½ – ¾ pound smoked ham hock
- 1 ¼ cups water
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 5 tablespoons lard
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 4 – 5 cups cooked long-grain rice for serving
Instructions
Prepare the Beans and Ham Hock
- In a medium saucepan, combine two cans of red beans (including their liquid), smoked ham hock, and water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat and allow it to cook for approximately one hour, or until the ham hock becomes tender, and the meat starts separating from the bone.
Blend for the Ideal Texture
- Remove the pot from heat and allow the ham hock to cool slightly. Once manageable, remove the meat from the bone and discard any excess fat or bone.
- Transfer the cooked beans, ham hock meat, and remaining liquid to a food processor. Add onion powder, garlic salt, red pepper flakes, salt, lard, and black pepper. Pulse the mixture for only a few seconds until a thick, creamy texture develops—be careful not to over-blend.
Incorporate Whole Beans for Texture
- Drain the third can of red beans and add them to the blended mixture. Pulse the food processor for 1–2 seconds just to incorporate the whole beans while keeping some of their texture intact.
Simmer and Thicken
- Return the blended mixture to the saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for 10–15 minutes or until the mixture thickens to the desired consistency. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve Over Rice
- Spoon the red bean mixture over freshly cooked long-grain rice and serve immediately.
Notes
This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but to ensure zero gluten contamination, double-check that your ham hock, lard, and canned beans are labeled gluten-free. Some processed meats and canned goods may contain additives that include gluten.