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 loved Cajun dishes.
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
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Chicken broth: Low-sodium chicken broth is best
- Long-grain white rice: Such as basmati or jasmine
- Ground beef: Use 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: Use the holy trinity, which consists of onion, celery, and green bell pepper, plus garlic and green onions.
- Chicken livers: They are optional, but they are an authentic ingredient.
- Seasonings: Cajun or Creole seasoning and fresh parsley
How to make Dirty Rice
This is a summary version; for the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please refer to the recipe card below.
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.
More Cajun Recipes
Dirty Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 4½ 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
- 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.
Nutrition
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Kim C
This dirrty rice recipe was absolutely flavorful and comforting! I made it without the chicken livers for the children. Easy to make and a new family favorite.
Stephanie
I’ve long wanted to make dirty rice at home (I often order it in restaurants) so I was glad to find this recipe. A simple recipe to put together and the spices make this extra special- delish!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Stephanie!
Amanda
Wow! just wow! I saved this recipe a couple months ago and just made it tonight! Let me say to y’all reading this recipe… definitely a keeper. I don’t do chicken livers so that was a hard pass… but it definitely slayed anyways! My Cajun seasoning was a spicy version because my family likes a little spice. I also did add a dash of red pepper flakes. It’s just three of us so honestly I could have cut the recipe in half…. However… I will be tearing up these leftovers and my sister will be in town tomorrow so win win!! Loved this! Thank you for the recipe!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Amanda! I am so glad that you liked it!
Marylynn
Such an easy way to prepare rice, and so flavorful. I ate it as a main dish and it was more than enough to satisfy me! Thank you!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Marylynn!
Pedja Nowak
This Cajun dirty rice recipe is a winner! I’m a huge fan of anything seasoned with cajun spices, so I knew I had to try this and it was delicious! I will make this again and again!
Rosey W
We don’t make enough rice. I used to make it a couple of times a week, years ago. Now we’re making it once over few month. This kind of recipe could get me reengaged!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Rosey! Enjoy!
Cindy K
Nice job with this recipe. I could literally eat this once a week for the rest of my life. I skipped the chicken livers but next time I might be bold enough to try them.
Beth Pierce
You should try them. They really complement the dish.
Rick Knaust
I love this dirty rice! I use Tony Chacheres no salt creole seasoning blend and I include the chicken livers. They really add a lot of flavor to the recipe and really make it authentic.
Beth Pierce
I agree, Rick!
Mandy K
This was a delicious one pot meal packed with so much flavor. The cajun spice mix elevated the fragrance and flavor of the dish. I will make this again. It is going into my recipe file.
Emily F
I love anything with a good cajun seasoning! This recipe was packed with flavor and so easy to make. I skipped the chicken livers because we just don’t like them.