Classic Popeyes Cajun Rice Copycat
This copycat recipe brings the flavor of Popeyes' famous Cajun rice to your kitchen, combining seasoned ground beef, pork sausage, vegetables, and rice in a savory tomato-infused broth for a comforting and flavorful side dish.
Equipment
- Large pot or Dutch oven
- Spoon
- Lid
- Fork
Ingredients
Meat
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1/2 lb ground pork sausage (mild or hot)
Vegetables
- 1 medium yellow onion finely diced
- 1 stalk celery finely diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
Rice & Liquid
- 2 cups white rice (long-grain)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 tomato sauce (8 ounce) can
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (e.g., Tony Chachere's)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Cooking Meat
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, then add ground beef and pork sausage. Cook, breaking apart, until browned (8-10 minutes), drain excess fat, and set aside.
Sautéing Vegetables
- In the same pot, add diced onion, celery, and bell pepper; cook until softened (5-7 minutes). Stir in minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
Combining and Simmering
- Return the cooked meat to the pot with the vegetables, then stir in rice, chicken broth, tomato sauce, and all seasonings. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
- After simmering, remove from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, adjust salt as needed, and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
For extra heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper. Ensure the pot is tightly covered during simmering to allow the rice to cook evenly. Do not lift the lid while the rice is cooking!