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!
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
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.
- 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.
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.
More side dish recipes:
For more recipes like this one, feel free to browse our Side Dish category.
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Simple Dirty Rice
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.
Ramona S says
I really like this recipe. The taste of beef goes perfectly with the rice. My kids love this dinner, so I highly recommend it.
Susan Paul says
Hi Anna, I was wondering if you could use leftover rice and just not simmer it as long?
Anna says
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!
Susan Paul says
Thank you.
Robert C DeCuir says
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.
Anna says
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!
Shelby Forester says
I just finished making this and I am in love with these flavors. I also love that it only needs one pot!
Anna says
Awesome! Thank you so much, Shelby!
Allyson Zea says
This rice was so flavorful and easy to make! thanks for the recipe!
Anna says
Thank you, Allyson!
Betsy says
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!
Anna says
Fantastic! I am so glad it was a hit! Thanks, Betsy!