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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SONIA SEIVWRIGHT
What I love most about dirty rice is its versatility. It can be served as a main or a side dish and customised with different meats and vegetables to suit individual tastes. It’s also a great option for meal prep and can be stored in the fridge or freezer for later consumption.
Lasonia
I love Dirty Rice! I am ashamed to say that I have never made it from scratch (only the boxed kind). I used to have a co-worker that made it often and I can’t even begin to describe how good it was. I didn’t realize it was pretty simple to make. I am adding this to my list of recipes to make.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Lasonia! Enjoy!
MELANIE E
This is my favorite recipe for dirty rice. So full of flavor and so easy to make. I cook it at least once a month for my hungry family.
Debbie
This was amazing. I haven’t been to New Orleans in a few years and miss Cajun cooking and a good dirty rice recipe. Thanks for sharing. I will be making this often!
Roxyflown
Thank you for sharing your love for Cajun cooking and the recipe for Dirty Rice! It sounds like a delicious and flavorful dish that can be adapted to personal preferences. The Cajun Holy Trinity of onions, celery, and green peppers is certainly a staple in Cajun cooking, and I appreciate you including some helpful tips and serving suggestions.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine! Happy cooking!
Lisa
ooooh this sounds good!! I don’t know much about Cajun cooking as I’m from the UK but I’d love to try this one.
Whitney Stewart
I had not had dirty rice in SO LONG! I forgot how delicious it really is. Thanks so much for sharing! I’ll be holding onto this recipe for a while!
Nyxie
This looks amazing! I have rice in the kitchen that could do with being jazzed up with other food – and you’ve given me plenty to work with.
Julie
Hey Beth, thanks for this delicious and easy recipe for dirty rice! I served it with cornbread and sausage. Yum!!!
Stephanie
The best dirty rice recipe! This will be a staple for our family dinners. Thanks for sharing.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Stephanie!
Ben Huffman
Made it. It’s truly delicious. I just have to question the serving size. I halved the recipe and it filled a 12 inch skillet to the brim. I can’t imagine just 6 people eating the whole recipe. Those would be humongous servings. But again, it is delicious.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Ben! So glad that you liked the recipe. We have healthy eaters over here.
Albert Saylor
Took this to our tailgate and it was devoured!
Beth Pierce
Thanks. Albert! So glad that everyone liked it!
Melissa Cushing
I have pinned this recipe ads this reminds me of home! I am a southern girl living in the north and I love dirty rice! Delicious and cannot wait to make it for me and my family!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Melissa! Enjoy!!
Jupiter Hadley
This is a great recipe that my family really enjoys! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
Yeah Lifestyle
Love cajun flavours, can’t believe this only takes 30 minutes to make. Will be trying out the recipe this weekend
Beth Pierce
Thanks! Enjoy!
Marysa
This sounds tasty. I have a cajun seasoning that I love and would be perfect in this recipe.