Low Sodium Copycat Popeyes Red Beans and Rice

Recreate the magic of a beloved fast-food classic with this flavorful and heart-smart *Low Sodium Copycat Popeyes Red Beans and Rice*. Perfect for those watching their salt intake, this recipe swaps high-sodium ingredients for bold, aromatic seasonings like smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a touch of liquid smoke to deliver authentic Southern flavor without compromise. Tender red kidney beans are slow-simmered with unsalted vegetable stock, thyme, and oregano, then mashed slightly for a luscious, creamy texture. Paired with fluffy white rice and garnished with fresh green onions, this dish is both comforting and wholesome. Whether you're meal-prepping or serving it as a hearty side, this healthier take on a classic is sure to impress your taste buds!

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:135 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Dried red kidney beans
• 4 cups Water
• 2 cups Unsalted vegetable stock
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 Bay leaf
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon Liquid smoke
• 1 cup White rice
• 2 Green onions, sliced

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried red kidney beans thoroughly under cold water and remove any debris or damaged beans.

Step 2

In a large pot, add the rinsed beans and 4 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and let the beans cook for about 1 hour or until they are tender.

Step 3

Drain the cooked beans and return them to the pot. Add the unsalted vegetable stock to the pot with the beans.

Step 4

Stir in onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, bay leaf, and black pepper. Simmer the mixture on low heat for another 30 minutes to allow the beans to absorb the flavors.

Step 5

Add the liquid smoke to the beans, stir thoroughly, and continue to simmer for an additional 15 minutes.

Step 6

While the beans are simmering, prepare the rice. In a separate pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil and add the rice. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for about 15 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the water has been absorbed.

Step 7

Remove the bay leaf from the bean mixture. Using a potato masher or the back of a large spoon, slightly mash a portion of the beans to create a creamy texture while leaving some beans whole.

Step 8

Serve a scoop of the beans on top of a serving of rice. Garnish with sliced green onions for added flavor and vibrancy.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1840.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	932.2

Total Fat 2.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 113.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 178.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 34.0g	0%
Total Sugars 7.5g
Protein 53.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 437.2mg	0%
Iron 18.9mg	0%
Potassium 3179.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 2.5%

Protein: 22.4%

Carbs: 75.1%