Best Dirty Rice Recipe | An Easy One-Pot Cajun Dinner In 30 Minutes! (2024)

This flavorful dirty rice recipe is a classic Cajun dinner packed with onion, bell pepper, juicy ground beef and pork. It’s a classic Cajun dish made in 30 minutes with just one-pot for the perfect hearty meal!

Table of Contents

• Why You’ll Love This Dirty Rice Recipe
• What Is Cajun Dirty Rice?
• Recipe Ingredients
• How to Make Dirty Rice
• More Cajun Recipes To Try
• Get the Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Dirty Rice Recipe

This is easy rice dinner is packed with hearty protein to fill you up after a long day. Here’s why you are going to love this recipe for dirty rice:

• Simple: It’s just like steaming your favorite rice but with way more Cajun flavor and meaty goodness loaded in each bite.
• Family Friendly: While you can make it extra spicy, if you keep the heat on the milder side, this recipe for dirty rice is guaranteed to be a hit with all ages!
• One-Pot: You can enjoy dinner without thinking about cleaning up a huge mess afterwards.
• Authentic: This dirty rice recipe was handed down from my granny, who was born and raised in southern Louisiana. Make it with chicken livers for an even more authentic version!

Love well seasoned Cajun dishes? Try this creamy Cajun chicken pasta or easy red beans and rice!

What Is Cajun Dirty Rice?

Dirty rice is a classic Creole rice dish from Louisiana. White rice gets a “dirty” color from being cooked with ground meat, vegetables and Cajun seasonings. The Holy Trinity — sweet onions, green bell peppers, and crisp celery — adds a medley of textures and flavor.

Originally made with ground chicken livers, this recipe leaves them out while still preserving its authentic flavor. It’s often served as a hearty main course or side dish.

Recipe Ingredients

The Holy Trinity is the savory flavor base for most dishes in Cajun cuisine, including this easy dirty rice recipe! Scroll down to the recipe card for exact amounts.

• Meat: I used a combination of ground pork sausage and beef. However, you can use ground chicken livers instead! For a lighter version, use ground turkey.
• Holy Trinity: You will need diced yellow onion, green bell pepper, celery and garlic. While optional, sliced green onions are the perfect garnish that also add flavor.
• Seasonings: You will need salt, thyme and Cajun seasoning.Slap Ya Mamais my favorite store-bought version!
• Rice: You want to use a long grain white rice. Basmati rice and Jasmine rice will also work.
• Beef Broth: You can use veggie or chicken broth. Water will work in a pinch, but add a little beef bouillon if you have it!

How to Make Dirty Rice

It’s like making an easy fried rice but you steam it with the add-ins. Scroll to the recipe card at bottom of the post for full detailed instructions.

• Brown: Cook the ground meats in a heavy bottomed pot, like a dutch oven, over medium-high heat until browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
• Veggies: Add the onions, celery and bell pepper and cook until softened. Add the garlic and Cajun seasoning, mixing well.
• Simmer: Add the rice, broth, and thyme. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat, cooking until the rice is tender.
• Serve: Season with more salt or Cajun seasoning, to taste. Garnish with green onions and enjoy!

Chef’s Tips & Variations

From adding chicken livers to going vegetarian, there’s a version of Cajun dirty rice for everyone!

• Spicy: As prepared, this recipe for dirty rice is well seasoned, but not spicy in my opinion. If you want it hotter, use hot ground sausage or add cayenne pepper, to taste! Be careful using cajun seasoning to add heat, as it can make a dish overly salty fast.
• Brown Meat Well: To make sure your rice has a good meat-y flavor, make sure you get a good browning on the ground meat. I cook it until it starts to darken on the edges.
• Check The Ratio: If this will be your main dish, I recommend adding 1 pound of meat per 1.5 cups of rice. If it’s a side dish, you can reduce the amount of meat if desired.
• Chicken Liver: Dirty rice is traditionally made with ground chicken livers. You can add 1/2 cup finely diced chicken livers in addition to the ground pork and beef, or replace them fully with all chicken livers.
• More Veggies: You might alter the Holy Trinity but no one’s going to judge you for it. Feel free to mix in 1 cup corn, peas, or diced carrots for a heartier dish.
• Vegetarian: Skip the ground beef and pork. Swap them for crumbled tofu or 1 to 2 cups drained lentils or chickpeas.

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

All dirty rice leftovers need to be fully cooled before storing.

• Fridge: Place it in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Transfer leftovers into freezer-friendly bags or containers in serving-size portions. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat as usual.
• Reheat: Microwave in 30-second intervals until warm, stirring half way through. You can also heat it in a pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes.

Post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.