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Popeyes-Style Cajun Gravy

Popeyes-Style Cajun Gravy

This homemade Popeyes-style Cajun gravy is rich, savory, and packed with Southern flavor. Made with ground beef, chicken gizzards, a dark roux, and bold Cajun spices—this is comfort food done right. Perfect over mashed potatoes, biscuits, or fried chicken.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Gravy, Sauce, Side Dish
Cuisine: American Comfort Food, Cajun, Creole, Southern
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup ground beef
  • ¼ cup chicken gizzards finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp vegetable or canola oil
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • ½ medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 cups water or beef broth
  • 1 beef bouillon cube
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1½ tsp Cajun seasoning
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Optional: 1 tbsp liver spread or cooked chicken liver for added richness

Method
 

  1. Cook the meats: In a skillet, brown the ground beef and chopped gizzards. Remove and set aside.
  2. Make the roux: In the same skillet, heat oil and stir in flour. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it turns a deep golden brown.
  3. Sauté the aromatics: Add chopped onions and garlic to the roux. Cook until softened.
  4. Add back the meats: Stir in the browned meat mixture.
  5. Build the gravy: Pour in water or broth. Add bouillon cube, soy sauce, Cajun seasoning, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
  6. Simmer: Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The gravy will thicken.
  7. Optional step: For extra richness, stir in liver spread during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  8. Serve hot: Great over mashed potatoes, fried chicken, biscuits, or rice.

Notes

  • If you can't find gizzards, substitute with more ground beef or minced chicken liver.
  • Want it spicier? Add a pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
  • Reheat slowly with a splash of water or broth to loosen the texture.