Copycat Popeyes Cajun Rice Recipe
Description
Popeyes Cajun Rice copycat — the discontinued side dish made at home in 35 minutes. The gizzard debate answered, the holy trinity explained, beef broth rice base, and an Instant Pot method no other recipe offers.
Ingredients
The Rice
- 2 cups long-grain white rice, Uncle Ben's converted rice or Success boil-in-bag work best — see note
- 3½ cups beef broth, not water — this is essential
- ½ teaspoon salt
The Meat Mixture
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
- ½ cup chicken gizzards, finely minced (optional — see gizzard note above)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Vegetables:
- ½ green bell pepper, finely diced
- ½ medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced (or 1 teaspoon celery seed if no fresh celery)
The Seasoning
- 1½ teaspoons Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning, or Zatarain's, or Slap Ya Mama
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon celery seed
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, adjust to heat preference
- Salt to taste
The Finish
- 3 stalks green onion, scallions, green parts only, sliced
- Additional Creole seasoning to taste
Instructions
- Cook rice in beef broth: bring to boil, reduce to lowest simmer, cover 18–20 min. Rest 5 min off heat. Fluff. Set aside.
- If using gizzards: pulse in food processor until finely minced.
- Heat oil in cast iron skillet over medium-high. Add beef, gizzards, bell pepper, onion, celery. Cook 6–8 min until beef is browned and vegetables are soft. Drain excess grease, leaving 1 tbsp.
- Reduce to medium-low. Add all seasonings. Stir 1 minute.
- Add cooked rice. Stir thoroughly to combine. Add green onion tops.
- Cook 3–5 min on medium-low, stirring occasionally, until heated through and dry.
- Taste. Adjust seasoning. Serve immediately.
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Spoon
Notes
Instant Pot: Sauté meat + vegetables 5–6 min. Drain fat. Add seasonings, rice, broth. Pressure Cook High 4 min. Natural release 10 min. Fluff. Add green onion. Serve.
Notes
- Beef broth not water — biggest single flavor upgrade
- Converted rice (Uncle Ben's) produces fluffiest result
- Finely mince gizzards — large pieces are tough
- Tony Chachere's contains salt; taste before adding extra
- Without gizzards: use 1¼ lb beef + ¼ tsp Worcestershire
Nutrition
Serving: 1ServingCalories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 17gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 601mgPotassium: 335mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 235IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 2mg