Cajun Dirty Rice

4.9 from 20 votes

Today, I’m thrilled to share with you one of my all-time favorite old fashioned recipes: dirty rice. Bursting with flavor and hearty ingredients, this yummy Cajun dish is both comforting and filling.

Dirty rice is known throughout the south for its rich and savory flavor. Dirty rice gets its name from its appearance, which comes from cooking rice with a mixture of finely chopped chicken livers, ground meat (such as pork or beef), onions, bell peppers, celery, and spices.

Why I Love Dirty Rice

Dirty rice holds a special place in my heart because it’s incredibly flavorful and nostalgic. Having grown up in South Louisiana, dirty rice was a popular dish during my childhood. It’s a dish that serves a crowd and brings people together, whether it’s for a cozy weeknight dinner or a festive gathering.

Plus, this dirty rice recipe is budget-friendly, filling, ready in about 30 minutes and able to be cooked in one pot! What more could you ask for?

Dirty Rice Cook Time

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes

Dirty Rice Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon vegetable oil, bacon grease or butter
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 cup celery, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chicken livers, chopped – if you can’t find chicken livers (or want to omit them) I suggest cooking with bacon grease or adding some flavorful sausage to give the dirty rice its classic umami flavor.
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning mix such as Tony Chachere’s (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 3-4 cups cooked long-grain white rice (2 cups uncooked) – I usually use leftover rice or I will cook 2 cups of rice the morning I am planning on making my dirty rice!
• 1/2 cup chicken or beef broth
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• Chopped green onions for garnish

How To Make Dirty Rice

1. Heat the butter or oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes.

Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic to the skillet. Cook covered until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the chicken livers and seasonings (paprika, pepper, Cajun seasoning, dried thyme, dried parsley and dried oregano). Cook, stirring occasionally for another 5 minutes.

Add the broth, rice and tomatoes to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly until most of the liquid disappears (2-5 minutes).

Serve the dirty rice hot and garnish with chopped green onions for a pop of freshness.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dirty Rice

What does dirty rice contain?

In my experience, dirty rice is a flavorful and hearty dish that typically contains a combination of ingredients such as ground meat (often pork or beef), onions, bell peppers, celery, garlic, and rice.

What sets dirty rice apart and gives it its distinctive flavor is the addition of spices and seasonings, such as paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, and oregano, which infuse the dish with layers of savory and aromatic notes.

The dish gets its name from the “dirty” appearance of the rice, which is achieved by cooking it with the flavorful mixture of meat and vegetables. Some variations of dirty rice may also include ingredients like diced tomatoes, green onions, and parsley for added freshness and texture.

Overall, dirty rice is a comforting and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a cozy weeknight meal or a festive gathering with friends and family.

What’s the difference between jambalaya and dirty rice?

The main difference between jambalaya and dirty rice lies in their ingredients and preparation methods, resulting in distinct flavor profiles and textures.

Jambalaya is a Creole and Cajun dish originating from Louisiana, known for its bold and complex flavors. It typically features a combination of proteins such as chicken, sausage, and sometimes seafood like shrimp or crawfish, cooked with aromatic vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and celery, often referred to as the “holy trinity” in Cajun cooking.

Jambalaya is seasoned with spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, and bay leaves, and it’s cooked together with rice in a single pot, allowing the flavors to meld and the rice to absorb the delicious broth, resulting in a flavorful and satisfying one-pot meal.

On the other hand, dirty rice is a Southern dish with Cajun origins, known for its rich and savory flavor. Dirty rice gets its name from its appearance, which comes from cooking rice with a mixture of finely chopped chicken livers, ground meat (such as pork or beef), onions, bell peppers, celery, and spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.

The combination of ingredients gives the rice a “dirty” color and a deep, meaty flavor. Unlike jambalaya, dirty rice is typically served as a side dish rather than a main course, complementing dishes like fried chicken, barbecue, or stew.

In summary, while both jambalaya and dirty rice are beloved dishes with roots in Cajun and Creole cuisine, they differ in their main ingredients, cooking methods, and intended uses. Jambalaya is a flavorful one-pot meal featuring a variety of proteins and rice cooked together, while dirty rice is a savory side dish made with rice cooked alongside a seasoned mixture of meats and vegetables.

What is the trinity in dirty rice?

The “trinity” in jambalaya refers to a trio of aromatic vegetables that form the flavor base of this iconic dish. Just like in many Cajun and Creole recipes, the trinity consists of onions, bell peppers, and celery.

These three ingredients are essential for building depth and complexity of flavor in jambalaya. The onions provide a sweet and savory base, the bell peppers add a vibrant color and mild sweetness, and the celery contributes a subtle herbal note and texture. Together, they create a harmonious flavor profile that serves as the foundation for the rich and hearty jambalaya.

It’s this combination of the trinity, along with spices and proteins like sausage, chicken, or seafood, that gives jambalaya its distinctive taste and makes it a beloved staple of Louisiana cuisine.

Related Recipes

• Shrimp and Chicken Fried Rice
• Slow Cooker Marry Me Chicken
• Minnesota Chicken Wild Rice Soup
• Meatloaf
• Baked Spaghetti Squash
• Main Dishes

Wrap-Up

And there you have it—my go-to recipe for delicious and comforting dirty rice. Whether enjoyed on its own or as a side dish, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings and leave you wanting more. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this flavorful meal with your loved ones as much as I do!

4.9 from 20 votes