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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Bilbos Marine
I absolutely love cajun dishes. I’ll check out the other cajun recipes you suggested in your blog as well. They look so good!
Heather
It’s been way too long since I’ve had dirty rice. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Heather! Enjoy!!
Catalina
Now I have a great idea for my tonight side dish! Love how flavorful is!
Sandra
I loved it!! So flavorful and easy to make! Thanks for the recipe!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Erin
I just became so hungry because of this dirty rice!! It looks absolutely delicious! I can’t wait to try it.
Jenny
What kind of spice could I use instead of Cajun spice ? I want to try this dish but I don’t care for spicy food.
Beth Pierce
Perhaps Italian seasoning. It would be different but still delicious.
Juliane
Haven’t tried this for SO long! I can’t wait to give this a try!
Beth Pierce
Thanks! Enjoy!
Patricia
Are the chicken livers cooked or raw when you add them to the pan?
Beth Pierce
Raw. Because they are finely minced it does not take long for them to cook.
Amanda
There are so many meals I want to have this with! Thank you for sharing!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure!
Laurence Guglielmetto
I love this recipe. I add 1 heaping teaspoon each of dried basil and dried thyme to it like I do when I make Gumbo. It really adds even more to this dish.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Laurence! So glad that you like it.
Laurence
I haven’t made dirty rice for a very long time. Can’t wait to make this again.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Laurence! Enjoy!!
Laurence Guglielmetto
I use Jimmy Dean sausage, add a teaspoon of dried thyme and dried basil in mine. I also cheat with the rice. I just cook minute rice in chicken broth and add it to the mix. You’d never know the difference. An old Cajun friend turned me onto this cheat.
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tips Laurence!
wilhelmina
Love this dirty rice! I remember my mom making something similar growing up and I always loved it. This was so yummy and tasted just like I remembered!
Patty
I never thought about using chicken livers in dirty rice! I’m definitely going to give this a try. It sounds soooo delicious!
Katie
Looks so good! Can’t wait to try this one.
Kelli
Love Cajun cooking! This dirty rice looks so flavorful, yet easy to make. I’ll probably leave out the chicken liver, but the combination of pork and beef sounds like it’ll still lend enough fat and flavor. Thanks for the great tips!
Jessica Formicola
This looks like such a quick and easy weeknight meal! Definitely adding it to our menu for the week!
Toni
This is so good and so easy to make!! Definitely a must-try!