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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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.
Tammy
Such a delicious side for the whole fam! This is so easy to make and perfect alongside so many different dishes 😀
Khushboo
This dirty rice was really yummy! My whole family enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie
I haven’t had dirty rice in so long, that looks delicious! It makes such a great dish and I love sneaking in some vegetables. I just have to skip the green pepper because my older son won’t touch anything with that in it for some reason.
Beth Pierce
Sounds good! Enjoy! Kids are so funny with their eating habits.
Carolyn
I was wondering how you heat up the dirty rice after you freeze it? As i plan to make it for a cookout i’d prefer not to heat the rice in the microwave.
Thanks in advance!
Beth Pierce
Sorry I missed this. The microwave is really the best way to reheat it. 1-2 tablespoons of water or chicken broth and reheat covered with a paper towel at a reduced power and short intervals. Do you have access to a microwave?
Nicki
Dirty rice has always been a favorit of mine and this recipe does not disppoint.