This quick and easy Dirty Rice Recipe, also known as Cajun rice, combines ground beef, ground sausage, onion, celery, green pepper, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and rice into an abundantly flavorful side dish. It is always a huge hit that is hearty enough to serve as a main dish if desired.
This recipe is so full of flavor that it is sure to impress. I love to serve this Louisiana-style dish with homemade hush puppies, fried okra, Cajun gumbo, and Creole jambalaya. Treat your family or friends to a bowl, sit back, and listen to the praises.
Are you looking for an authentic and easy dirty rice recipe? Look no further! This recipe includes all the traditional ingredients and is sure to become a family favorite. It is one of our favorite rice dishes with tons of Cajun flavors. It takes less than thirty minutes to prepare and is one of my most beloved Cajun dishes.
The dish combines the “Cajun Holy Trinity” flavors with plenty of protein, like ground beef, ground pork, and minced chicken livers. You don’t like chicken livers? Then go ahead and omit them. Cooking is about adapting a recipe to your personal preferences.
What is Dirty Rice?
It is a classic Cajun side dish with long grain rice, flavorful and savory spices, onions, celery, and green peppers, commonly known as the holy trinity of Cajun cooking. The name “dirty” comes from the overall color that the rice takes on after cooking with ground beef, pork sausage, Cajun seasoning,
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Chicken broth: low sodium is best
- Long grain white rice: like basmati or jasmine
- Ground beef: with a bit of fat in it. Fat gives the dish flavor.
- Ground pork sausage: I use a mild-flavored one like Jimmy Dean’s All-Natural.
- Vegetables: the holy trinity, which consists of onion, celery, and green bell pepper, plus garlic and green onions.
- Chicken livers: are optional, but they are an authentic ingredient.
- Seasonings: Cajun or Creole seasoning and fresh parsley
How to make Dirty Rice
Start by bringing a pot of chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Then, add the rice and bay leaf. Stir to combine, letting it return to a boil. Then, turn it to simmer, cover, and cook until the rice is tender. Next, remove it from the heat and let it sit covered for a few minutes. Then, fluff with a fork and remove the bay leaf.
While the rice is cooking, brown the ground beef and pork sausage in a large skillet or pan over medium heat. When it is about halfway through the browning process, add the onions, celery, peppers, and chicken livers (if using), cooking until the veggies are tender and the meat is no longer pink. Then reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, cooking for a minute while stirring constantly.
Now stir in the Cajun seasoning, chicken broth, and rice. Then add the chopped parsley and green onions, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Preparation Tips
- I cook the rice in chicken broth to give it more flavor. If you are in a pinch, try minute rice cooked in chicken broth. It is quick and easy, and it cooks up well every time.
- The rice can be cooked up to a day in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Chop your onions, celery, and peppers (also known as the Holy Trinity) fine so you get a little bit in every bite.
- You can use either Cajun or Creole seasoning. For a more robust flavor, make your seasoning.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
To freeze, fully cool, then store in a sturdy container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power or on the stovetop over low heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken livers are optional, although they are traditionally used in dirty rice. Just chop them finely to blend well with the ground beef and pork sausage.
More Cajun Recipes
Dirty Rice
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice like basmati
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground pork sausage
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 rib celery chopped
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and chopped
- ½ cup finely minced chicken livers optional
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 2 green onions finely sliced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups of chicken broth to a boil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the rice and bay leaf. Stir to combine, letting it return to a boil. Turn it to simmer, cover and cook until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it sit covered for a few minutes. Fluff with a fork and remove the bay leaf.
- Brown the ground beef and pork sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. When it is about halfway through the browning process, add the onions, celery, green pepper, and chicken livers (if using), cooking until the vegetables are tender.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, cooking for 1 minute while stirring constantly. Stir in the Cajun seasoning, 1 /2 cup chicken broth, and rice. Add the chopped parsley and green onions, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Video
Notes
- I cook the rice in chicken broth to give it more flavor. If you are in a pinch, try minute rice cooked in chicken broth. It is quick and easy, and it cooks up well every time.
- The rice can be cooked up to a day in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Chop your onions, celery, and peppers (also known as the Holy Trinity) fine so you get a little bit in every bite.
- You can use either Cajun or Creole seasoning. For a more robust flavor, make your seasoning.
Nutrition
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Kristyn
Filling & so tasty!! The flavors go so well together! Great alone or as a side!
katerina
My family loved this! I can’t wait to make it again!
Amanda Finks
Such an easy recipe. And so flavorful! Love it!
Jennifer
This rice has to be the most flavorful rice I have ever eaten! YUM!
Ardra
This was a great recipe. I didn’t follow it completely but it gave me a foundation. I did not use livers or regular ground pork. I bought Tennessee Pride hot sausage. For some reason when ever I’ve had dirty rice the flavors from that sausage is what I seem to taste and it’s my favorite. Thank you for providing us all with a great recipe. Everything turned out perfect.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Ardra! The pleasure was all mine. I love a good cook that can improvise and substitute with the things that they love!
Annie
Oooh loving the sound of this rice and the name!! Rice is a staple in my house, so I’m always looking for new and interesting ways to ramp up the flavour. Definitely trying your dirty rice!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Annie! Enjoy!
Kelly Anthony
My husband and I also love cajun food especially a delicious dirty rice recipe. I can’t wait to make this for him!
Danielle Wolter
Dirty rice is one of my favorites and it’s been so long since I’ve made. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Megan
Oh I love the sound of this. The chicken livers and cajun have me intrigued. I am thinking this would be great with cauliflower rice too. Thanks for sharing!
kim
Love this recipe! So easy and flavorful! Definitely one that I will make again and again!
Adele Aiken
Can this be frozen
Beth Pierce
Yes it most certainly can!! You might want to add 1-2 tablespoons chicken broth or water when you reheat for moisture.
Judy
Do you cook the chicken livers before you put them into the pot with the other meat
Beth Pierce
About halfway through the browning process of the beef and pork add the minced chicken liver. It is in step 2. Happy cooking!!
Julie
I’ve never thought about doing anything with chicken livers other than the Jewish style chopped liver with schmaltz pate. Love this as a new way to try using them!
Amanda
I’m a huge fan of Cajun cuisine, and this dirty rice is wonderful! The chicken livers add such a nice rich flavor, especially with the Cajun seasoning. Thanks for sharing!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure Amanda!
Danielle
Wow – I can’t imagine how many ingredients this dish has! I mean, you’ve got it all in one place – I wonder how flavorul it makes the rice!
Beth Pierce
Very flavorful!
Michelle
I had dirty rice a few years back when I was visiting New Orleans and couldn’t get enough of it. I’ll have to try this soon because I miss that flavor!