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A bowl of Popeyes Cajun rice copycat recipe, rich in flavor and texture.

Authentic Popeyes Cajun Rice Copycat

This recipe recreates the beloved Popeyes Cajun Rice, featuring a savory blend of ground beef and pork, aromatic vegetables, and a kick of Cajun spices, all simmered with long-grain rice to fluffy perfection. It's a flavorful side dish that brings the taste of Louisiana home.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Dutch oven
  • spoon
  • fork

Ingredients
  

Meat

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 lean)
  • 1/2 pound ground pork (or more beef for pork-free)

Vegetables

  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

Spices

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice preference)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Remaining

  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 3 cups chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
  • Optional: dash of hot sauce for extra kick

Instructions
 

Cooking

  • Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then brown ground beef and pork for 8-10 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease, leaving 1-2 tablespoons.
  • Reduce heat to medium, add onion, celery, and green bell pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften (5-7 minutes).
  • Stir in minced garlic and all the spices; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add rinsed rice to the pot, stir to coat in the mixture, and toast for 2-3 minutes.
  • Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 20 minutes without lifting the lid.
  • Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes to ensure fluffy rice.
  • Uncover, fluff with a fork, stir in fresh parsley, and adjust seasoning as needed before serving hot.

Notes

For an extra kick, a dash of hot sauce can be added with the parsley. To make this recipe pork-free, use an additional 1/2 pound of ground beef instead of ground pork. Adjust cayenne pepper to your liking for more or less spice. Make sure to let the rice rest for the full 10 minutes after cooking; this steaming process contributes significantly to its texture and prevents it from being mushy or undercooked.