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You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Side Dish / Dirty Rice

Dirty Rice

Published: Mar 21, 2021 by Anna 12 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

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This Dirty Rice is made in one pot, without liver but with ground beef, onions, peppers, celery, rice and Cajun seasoning. Simple yet delicious, this dish is perfect when you are craving southern comfort food!

Dirty rice in a white bowl.

If you had dirty rice once in your life, you know how tasty this dish is. Made with simple ingredients and seasoning, it's pure comfort food. You can make it in the morning and enjoy it for days. Traditionally, dirty rice is made with sausage and chicken livers, but I prefer this easy version with ground beef. I also use my Cajun seasoning made with pantry staples. No need for a store-bought mix!

Ingredients:

  • rice
  • ground beef
  • olive oil
  • onion
  • garlic
  • green bell pepper
  • celery
  • rice
  • Cajun seasoning
  • vegetable broth or stock
Ingredients for dirty rice on a board.

How to make Dirty Rice from scratch?

  • Start by chopping onion, pepper and celery.
  • Heat up oil in a skillet.
  • Add beef and cook until no longer pink. I like to cook it until well browned and you can see browned bits at the bottom of the pan. It adds flavor to the dish.
  • Add veggies and stir in together. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
Ground beef and veggies in a pan.
  • Add rice, seasoning and stir well. Cook for 1 minute.
  • Add stock and stir well.
  • Simmer on medium-low heat, stirring once in a while. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked.
Rice and broth added to beef.

Why is it called Dirty Rice?

The dish appears dirty from the meat (traditionally chicken liver) and seasoning.

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Can I make a vegetarian version?

To replace the meat with a vegetarian option, I recommend mushrooms. They will add the umami flavor. If you need to add protein, go for beans. Red or black will be fantastic!

Can I make it ahead of time?

Absolutely! This dish reheats very well so it can be made up to 4 days in advance. Reheat in the microwave or in a skillet. You may need to add a little bit of stock or water while heating up.

Storing leftovers:

I recommend storing leftovers in a container with lid, in the fridge, for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Dirty rice in a pan.

More side dish recipes:

  • Rice Pilaf
  • Black Beans and Rice
  • Creamed Corn
  • Best Corn Fritters

For more recipes like this one, feel free to browse our Side Dish category.

If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment!

Dirty rice in a white bowl.

Simple Dirty Rice

Author: Anna
This Dirty Rice is made in one pot, without liver but with ground beef, onions, peppers, celery, rice and Cajun seasoning. Simple yet delicious, this dish is perfect when you are craving southern comfort food!
5 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 610 kcal
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Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper chopped
  • 2 celery ribs chopped
  • 1 ½ cups rice
  • 2 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • 3 ¼ cups vegetable broth or stock

Instructions
 

  • In a large deep skillet, heat up oil over medium heat.
    1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Add beef and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula. I like to cook it until well browned and you can see browned bits at the bottom of the pan. It adds flavor to the dish.
    1 lb ground beef
  • Add onion, garlic, pepper and celery and stir in together. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often.
    1 medium yellow onion, 4 garlic cloves, 1 medium green bell pepper, 2 celery ribs
  • Add rice, seasoning and stir well. Cook for 1 minute.
    1 ½ cups rice, 2 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • Add stock and stir everything well.
    3 ¼ cups vegetable broth or stock
  • Simmer on medium-low heat, stirring once in a while. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked.

Notes

  • To replace the meat with a vegetarian option, I recommend mushrooms. They will add the umami flavor. If you need to add protein, go for beans. Red or black will be fantastic!
  • I recommend storing leftovers in a container with lid, in the fridge, for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
  • Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.

Nutrition

Calories: 610kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 863mg | Potassium: 571mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1223IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 5 votes

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Ramona S says

    March 17, 2025 at 10:37 am

    5 stars
    I really like this recipe. The taste of beef goes perfectly with the rice. My kids love this dinner, so I highly recommend it.

    Reply
  2. Susan Paul says

    July 21, 2024 at 3:45 am

    Hi Anna, I was wondering if you could use leftover rice and just not simmer it as long?

    Reply
    • Anna says

      July 21, 2024 at 11:32 am

      Hi Susan! Yep, you can use leftover rice. Since it is cooked already, decrease the amount of stock to 1/4 cup. You can add more to your preference. Like you said, you won't have to simmer is as long, just enough to heat up the rice. I hope this helps!

      Reply
      • Susan Paul says

        July 22, 2024 at 3:48 am

        Thank you.

  3. Robert C DeCuir says

    April 20, 2023 at 5:01 pm

    5 stars
    As many times as I have made Dirty Rice here is Southern Louisiana, it only occurred this me this week to consider adding the raw rice and stock into the meat mixture just as I would when making Jambalaya.

    THANK YOU for the recipe ideas and the twist on adding rice to the same pot.

    Reply
    • Anna says

      April 29, 2023 at 7:37 pm

      Hi Robert! It was a game-changer for me too! I am so glad it was helpful! Thank you for making my recipe and for the comment!

      Reply
  4. Shelby Forester says

    March 22, 2021 at 12:57 pm

    5 stars
    I just finished making this and I am in love with these flavors. I also love that it only needs one pot!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      March 24, 2021 at 10:57 am

      Awesome! Thank you so much, Shelby!

      Reply
  5. Allyson Zea says

    March 22, 2021 at 12:47 pm

    5 stars
    This rice was so flavorful and easy to make! thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      March 24, 2021 at 10:57 am

      Thank you, Allyson!

      Reply
  6. Betsy says

    March 22, 2021 at 12:24 pm

    5 stars
    I'm not usually a fan of dirty rice, but I LOVED this one. My husband loved it even more. No leftovers for the next day! Definitely have to make this again!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      March 24, 2021 at 10:58 am

      Fantastic! I am so glad it was a hit! Thanks, Betsy!

      Reply

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