This flavorful dirty rice recipe is packed with the Cajun “Holy Trinity” (onion, celery, and bell pepper) and lots of juicy ground beef and pork. Made in 30 minutes with just one-pot, it’s the perfect hearty and easy weeknight meal!
Want to save this recipe?
We'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
My family is from Louisiana and we grew up eating all of my Granny’s Cajun recipes! This dirty rice recipe was passed down from her, so you’re in for a real treat. While I love her gumbo recipe and red beans and rice, I think her dirty rice might be the one we make the most because it’s so quick and easy. Packed with hearty protein and starchy rice, it will fill you up after a long day!
What Makes This Dirty Rice Recipe So Good?
- Simple: It’s just like steaming your favorite rice but with way more Cajun flavor and meaty goodness loaded in each bite.
- Authentic: This dirty rice recipe was handed down from my granny, who was born and raised in southern Louisiana. Make it with chicken livers for an even more authentic version!
- Family Friendly: While you can make it extra spicy, if you keep the heat on the milder side, this recipe for dirty rice is guaranteed to be a hit with all ages!
- One-Pot: You can enjoy dinner without thinking about cleaning up a huge mess afterwards.
What Is Dirty Rice?
Dirty rice is a classic Cajun rice dish from Louisiana. White rice gets a “dirty” color from being cooked with ground meat, vegetables and Cajun seasonings. “The Holy Trinity” — sweet onions, green bell peppers, and crisp celery — adds a traditional medley of textures and flavor. Originally made with ground chicken livers, this recipe leaves them out while still preserving its authentic flavor. It’s often served as a hearty main course or side dish.
Key Ingredients
The Holy Trinity is the savory flavor base for most dishes in Cajun cuisine, including this easy dirty rice recipe! Scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact amounts!
- Meat: I used a combination of ground pork sausage and beef. However, you can use ground chicken livers instead! For a lighter version, use ground turkey.
- Holy Trinity: A traditional Cajun trio of vegetables: diced onion, celery, and green bell pepper. My granny dices the celery leaves and includes those for extra flavor. We also use garlic, and while optional, sliced green onions are the perfect garnish that also adds a lot of flavor.
- Seasonings: You will need salt, thyme and Cajun seasoning. Slap Ya Mama is my favorite store-bought version!
- Rice: You want to use a long grain white rice. Basmati rice and Jasmine rice will also work.
- Beef Broth: You can use veggie or chicken broth. Water will work in a pinch, but add a little beef bouillon if you have it!
How to Make Dirty Rice
It’s like making an easy fried rice but you steam it with the add-ins. Scroll to the recipe card at bottom of the post for full detailed instructions.
- Brown: Cook the ground meats in a heavy bottomed pot, like a dutch oven, over medium-high heat until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Veggies: Add the onions, celery and bell pepper and cook until softened. Add the garlic and Cajun seasoning, mixing well.
- Simmer: Add the rice, broth, and thyme. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat, cooking until the rice is tender.
- Serve: Season with more salt or Cajun seasoning, to taste. Garnish with green onions and enjoy!
Chef’s Tips and Variations
- Make it spicy: As prepared, this recipe for dirty rice is well seasoned, but not spicy in my opinion. If you want it hotter, use hot ground sausage or add cayenne pepper, to taste! Be careful using Cajun seasoning to add heat, as it can make a dish overly salty fast.
- Brown the meat well: To make sure your rice has a good meat-y flavor, make sure you get a good browning on the ground meat. I cook it until it starts to darken on the edges.
- Check the ratio: If this will be your main dish, I recommend adding 1 pound of meat per 1.5 cups of rice. If it’s a side dish, you can reduce the amount of meat if desired.
- Add chicken livers: Dirty rice is traditionally made with ground chicken livers. You can add 1/2 cup finely diced chicken livers in addition to the ground pork and beef, or replace them fully with all chicken livers.
- Toss in more veggies: You might alter the Holy Trinity but no one’s going to judge you for it. Feel free to mix in 1 cup corn, peas, or diced carrots for a heartier dish.
Dirty Rice
Ingredients
- ½ pound ground pork
- ½ pound ground beef
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 cup diced green bell pepper
- 1 cup diced celery
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 ½ cups long grain white rice
- 24 oz beef broth
- 2 fresh thyme sprigs
- salt, to taste
- green onion, sliced, optional garnish
Want to save this recipe?
We’ll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Instructions
- In a large heavy bottomed pot (like a dutch oven), over medium-high heat, cook ground meat until no longer pink. Drain grease. To make sure your rice has a good meat-y flavor, make sure you get a good browning on the ground meat. I cook it until it starts to darken on the edges.
- Add in the onion, green bell pepper and celery. Cook, stiring often, until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add in garlic and Cajun seasoning, cook for 30 seconds. Add rice, broth and thyme sprigs.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce heat. Cover pot with a tight fitting lid and simmer until rice is tender and cooked through, about 20 minutes.
- Taste and add salt or additional Cajun seasoning, to taste. For more heat, I recommend using cayenne pepper or hot sauce. Garnish with green onions, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Store: Place it in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freeze: Transfer leftovers into freezer-friendly bags or containers in serving-size portions. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat as usual.
- Reheat: Microwave in 30-second intervals until warm, stirring half way through. You can also heat it in a pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes.
- Chicken Liver: Dirty rice is traditionally made with ground chicken livers. You can add 1/2 cup finely diced chicken livers in addition to the ground pork and beef, or replace them fully with all chicken livers.
Video
Nutrition
Categories:
More Cajun Recipes To Try
Post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
What about this recipe makes the rice look dirty..hence dirty rice?
This question is answered extensively in the post above, but the quick answer is the meat (either ground beef or if more traditional, livers).