Dirty Rice Recipe
This hearty and flavorful Dirty Rice is a Louisiana staple! Made with ground beef, sausage, the "holy trinity" of Cajun cooking, and spices, the rice cooks right in the skillet so it absorbs every bit of flavor.
Servings: 8
Cost: $10
Equipment
- chef's knife
- cutting board
- measuring cup
- measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork sausage mild or spicy
- 1 small onion finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper finely diced
- 2 celery ribs finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup long-grain white rice uncooked
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 green onions sliced (for garnish)
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Brown the meat . Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and sausage. Cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Drain off excess grease if necessary.
- Sauté the vegetables. Stir in the onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
- Season the base. Stir in the smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, cayenne (if using), salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
- Add the rice. Pour in the uncooked rice and stir to coat it in the seasonings and meat mixture. Toast for 1–2 minutes.
- Simmer . Add the chicken broth and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been absorbed.
- Finish & serve . Remove the bay leaves and fluff the rice with a fork. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with sliced green onions and parsley before serving.
Notes
- For extra depth, substitute the chicken broth with beef broth.
- If you like more traditional Dirty Rice, finely chop chicken livers and sauté them with the beef and sausage for a rich, authentic flavor.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat beautifully in a skillet with a splash of broth.
Nutrition
Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 528mg | Potassium: 377mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 338IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg