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.
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
Instructions
- Cook the meats: In a skillet, brown the ground beef and chopped gizzards. Remove and set aside.
- 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.
- Sauté the aromatics: Add chopped onions and garlic to the roux. Cook until softened.
- Add back the meats: Stir in the browned meat mixture.
- Build the gravy: Pour in water or broth. Add bouillon cube, soy sauce, Cajun seasoning, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer: Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. The gravy will thicken.
- Optional step: For extra richness, stir in liver spread during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- 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.