The Best Sides on the Popeyes Menu
Popeyes is best known for its chicken, but no chicken meal is complete without pairing it with some delicious sides.
The Popeyes sides menu offers a variety of choices, each of which has a Cajun flare and complements their chicken or seafood.
Popeyes sides are inspired by southern cooking and include classics like Biscuits, Coleslaw, Mashed Potatoes, Mac and Cheese, Cajun Fries, and Red Beans with Rice.
All sides at Popeyes can be ordered a la carte or with a combo, allowing you to customize your meal.
Despite their simplicity, Popeyes sides stand out because they are made with a unique twist that you won’t easily find at other fast food restaurants.
To help you decide what to order next time, here are the 6 best Popeyes sides ranked from good to fantastic.
6. Coleslaw
The reviews are split on Popeyes’ coleslaw, but that’s often the case when it comes to coleslaw.
Some like it sweeter, while others prefer the tangy flavor of vinegar, not to mention the debate over how much mayonnaise is too much.
I fall into the “less mayo” group, so I enjoy this side. I usually order it to add to their chicken sandwiches.
This side dish is made with cabbage, carrots, pickle relish, and a light mayo mixture.
The cabbage is chopped into small squares rather than long strings, and it has a crisp and refreshing overall flavor.
Popeyes’ coleslaw can be ordered in two sizes: regular and large.
Nutritional Information:
Regular size: 140 calories, 10g of fat, 12g of carbohydrates, and 1g of protein
Large size: 420 calories, 30g of fat, 36g of carbohydrates, and 3g of protein
5. Mashed Potatoes With Cajun Gravy
The Mashed Potatoes side dish is a classic that naturally fits Popeyes’ southern-inspired menu.
It is served with a Cajun gravy that adds flavor and is perfect for dipping your chicken.
Although it pairs great with chicken, it is tasty and filling enough to be a snack or a light meal on its own.
However, note that it is not a vegetarian option.
The mashed potatoes side is made from potatoes, milk, butter, cream of celery, and a blend of spices, making it vegetarian, though not vegan.
On the other hand, the Cajun gravy is made using pork and chicken.
Ordering online through their website or app sadly offers no option to customize this side, but you can ask to hold the gravy when ordering in a restaurant.
The Mashed Potatoes with Cajun Gravy come in regular and large sizes.
Nutritional Information:
Regular size: 110 calories, 4g of fat, 18g of carbohydrates, and 3g of protein
Large size: 330 calories, 12g of fat, 54g of carbohydrates, and 9g of protein
4. Red Beans & Rice
There’s something so satisfying about Popeyes’ Red Beans & Rice.
The two types of starch make it a great comfort food, and the seasoning blend makes your tastebuds dance with joy.
It’s simple yet oh-so-good and pairs perfectly with their chicken nuggets or tenders.
If you’ve never tried this dish because it didn’t seem particularly interesting, you’re on the same train of thought as the restaurant.
They removed it from the menu for a while, but customers protested the decision, and it quickly made a return the following year as part of Popeyes’ rebranding for its 50th birthday celebration.
The Red Beans & Rice side comes in two sizes: regular and large.
Nutritional Information:
Regular Size: 110 calories, 4g of fat, 18g of carbohydrates, and 3g of protein
Large Size: 330 calories, 12g of fat, 54g of carbohydrates, and 9g of protein
3. Cajun Fries
A southern fast-food chain menu wouldn’t be complete without spicy fries, and Popeyes’ Cajun Fries are seasoned to perfection.
These fries are zesty and flavorful, and they pair great with any of their entrées.
Popeyes fries everything in beef tallow, a type of animal fat that gives the fried dishes extra flavor.
However, this means that these fries are not a vegetarian or vegan option despite containing no actual meat.
You can order the Cajun Fries in two sizes: regular and large.
Nutritional Information:
Regular size: 270 calories, 14g of fat, 33g of carbohydrates, and 4g of protein
Large size: 800 calories, 42g of fat, 97g of carbohydrates, and 10g of protein
2. Homestyle Mac & Cheese
Made to taste like a home-cooked dish fresh from the oven, the Homestyle Mac & Cheese on Popeyes’ sides menu does not disappoint.
In fact, it is one of the best fast food mac and cheeses out there.
The chain took the classic cheesy noodle that has been a fan favorite and made it even better with natural ingredients and a bit of care.
The Homestyle Mac & Cheese made its debut on the Popeyes menu in 2021 as an upgraded version of the original mac & cheese side.
It appeared shortly before the holiday season to cater to gatherings and parties.
This side dish is made with real butter, cream, and cheese.
A creamy mac and cheese base is topped with shredded cheddar cheese and baked into a golden-brown crust, making the dish taste as if it came straight from the oven.
You can order the Homestyle Mac & Cheese side in two sizes: regular and large.
Nutritional Information:
Regular size: 280 calories, 21g of fat, 16g of carbohydrates, and 11g of protein
Large size: 850 calories, 63g of fat, 48g of carbohydrates, and 33g of protein
1. Biscuit
Popeyes’ Biscuit can serve many purposes, which makes it the best item on their sides menu.
It can be used for dipping into Cajun gravy, turning chicken tenders into a sandwich, or pairing with Honey Sauce to get that sweet fix.
It is a delicious, warm, and flakey buttermilk biscuit, making it the perfect addition to any meal from Popeyes.
The A la Carte Biscuit is sold for around $1 apiece.
All dinners and combo meals at Popeyes come with a choice of side, and a free biscuit is served for all meals except chicken sandwiches.
And don’t forget that you can request complimentary butter or Honey Sauce with each biscuit order.
Nutritional Information (One piece):
210 calories, 13g of fat, 20g of carbohydrates, and 3g of protein
Conclusion
Regardless of which Popeyes side you choose, you can count on enjoying those Cajun spices that the fast food chain is known for.
From the tasty buttermilk Biscuits to Mac and Cheese and Cajun Fries, there are many options on the Popeyes sides menu to satisfy any craving.
Next time you’re ordering your meal at Popeyes, be sure to add one or several of their delicious sides to your order.
For more information about Popeyes, check out the articles below.
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