This flavorful dirty rice recipe is a classic Cajun dinner packed with onion, bell pepper, juicy ground beef and pork. It’s a classic Cajun dish made in 30 minutes with just one-pot for the perfect hearty meal!
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This is easy rice dinner is packed with hearty protein to fill you up after a long day! My family loves this easy dinner and I love that it’s ready in just 30 minutes.
This dirty rice recipe has been in my family for a long, long time. My Granny is from Louisiana and we grew up eating her Cajun recipes! While I love her gumbo, I think her dirty rice might be my favorite thing she made. This recipe was passed down from her, so you’re in for a real treat.
Why You’ll Love This Dirty Rice Recipe
- Simple: It’s just like steaming your favorite rice but with way more Cajun flavor and meaty goodness loaded in each bite.
- 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.
- 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!
Love well seasoned Cajun dishes? Try this creamy Cajun chicken pasta or easy red beans and rice!
What Is Dirty Rice?
Dirty rice is a classic Creole 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 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Originally made with ground chicken livers, this recipe leaves them out while still preserving its authentic flavor.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: You will need diced yellow onion, green bell pepper, celery and garlic. While optional, sliced green onions are the perfect garnish that also add 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.
- Make it meatless: Skip the ground beef and pork. Swap them for crumbled tofu or 1 to 2 cups drained lentils or chickpeas.
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
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Instructions
- In a large heavy bottomed pot (like a dutch oven), over medium-high heat, cook ground meat until no longer pink. Drain grease.
- 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 additonal Cajun seasoning, to taste. Garnish with green onions, if desired. Enjoy!
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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).