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 meal 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, corn on the cob, and coleslaw. Treat your family or friends to a bowl and sit back and listen to the praises.
Do you like Cajun cooking and recipes? Hubby and I just love it. Cajun cooking is so full of flavor with down to earth good wholesome ingredients. This is one of our favorite rice dishes with tons of Cajun flavors. This recipe takes less than thirty minutes to prepare, is a family favorite and one my most beloved Cajun dishes. The dish combines the full flavors of the “Cajun Holy Trinity” with 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 own personal preferences.
What is Dirty Rice?
It is a classic Cajun side dish with white 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,
How to make Dirty Rice
Start by bringing a pot of chicken broth to a boil. 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 it is cooking 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, 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, green onions, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Recipes notes and helpful tips
- Any kind of cooked rice works. I cook it in chicken broth to give it a little more flavor. If you are in a pinch try minute rice cooked in chicken broth. It is quick, easy, and it cooks up well every time.
- The rice can be cooked up to a day in advance however store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Chop your onions, celery, and peppers (also know as the Holy Trinity) fine so you get a little bit in every bite.
- You can use either Cajun or Creole seasoning. For more robust flavor make your own seasoning.
- Chicken livers are optional although they are traditional in dirty rice. Just chop them finely so they blend well with the ground beef and pork sausage.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To freeze fully cool first then store in a sturdy container and freeze up to 2 months.
What is the Cajun Holy Trinity?
Cajun Holy Trinity in Cajun cooking refers to onions, bell peppers and celery. This trio is a base in many delicious Cajun recipes like jambalaya, gumbo and crawfish étouffée.
What to serve with Dirty Rice
- Beer batter fried cod
- Crab cakes
- Blackened chicken
- Corn muffins
- Chicken and sausage gumbo
- Shrimp boil
Other Cajun recipes you will love!
Shrimp and Grits
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Dirty Rice
Flavorful New Orleans style Dirty Rice with browned ground beef, pork sausage, onions, celery, green peppers, chicken livers, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and rice.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: side dish
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups chicken broth
- 2 cups uncooked long grain white rice
- 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 chicken broth to a boil in a large pot. 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, green onions, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Any kind of cooked rice works. I cook it in chicken broth to give it a little more flavor. If you are in a pinch try minute rice cooked in chicken broth. It is quick, easy, and it cooks up well every time.
- The rice can be cooked up to a day in advance however store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Chop your onions, celery, and peppers (also know as the Holy Trinity) fine so you get a little bit in every bite.
- You can use either Cajun or Creole seasoning. For more robust flavor make your own seasoning.
- Chicken livers are optional although they are traditional in dirty rice. Just chop them finely so they blend well with the ground beef and pork sausage.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To freeze fully cool first then store in a sturdy container and freeze up to 2 months.
Keywords: how to make dirty rice, what goes with dirty rice, homemade dirty rice
On the hunt for more delicious recipes? Follow Small Town Woman on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
https://www.smalltownwoman.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beth-1.pdf
