Dirty Rice with Ground Beef 🍚✨
(A Cajun-style one-pot wonder with spicy, savory flavors!)
This classic Louisiana dish gets its “dirty” look from browned meat, spices, and veggies mixed into fluffy rice. Easy, hearty, and packed with flavor!
Ingredients (Serves 4-6)
-
1 lb (450g) ground beef (or sub with ground pork, chicken, or turkey)
-
1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
-
2 cups chicken broth (or water + 1 bouillon cube)
-
1 onion, diced
-
1 bell pepper, diced
-
2 celery stalks, diced (the “Holy Trinity” of Cajun cooking!)
-
3 garlic cloves, minced
-
2 tsp Cajun seasoning (or mix: ½ tsp paprika + ½ tsp garlic powder + ¼ tsp cayenne + ¼ tsp thyme + ¼ tsp oregano)
-
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
-
2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
-
Salt & black pepper to taste
-
2 tbsp oil (or bacon grease for extra flavor!)
Instructions (Ready in 30 mins!)
1. Brown the Meat
-
Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
-
Add ground beef and cook until browned (5-6 mins), breaking it up. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Sauté Veggies
-
Push meat to one side; add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Sauté 3-4 mins until soft.
3. Add Rice & Seasonings
-
Stir in uncooked rice, Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Toast 1-2 mins.
4. Simmer
-
Pour in chicken broth, scrape up any browned bits, and bring to a boil.
-
Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 mins (or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed).
5. Fluff & Serve
-
Remove from heat, let sit 5 mins, then fluff with a fork.
-
Garnish with green onions and hot sauce if desired.
🔥 Pro Tips
✅ For extra depth: Add diced andouille sausage or liver (traditional in Cajun dirty rice).
✅ Spice control: Reduce cayenne for mild heat, or add diced jalapeños for extra kick.
✅ Leftovers taste even better—the flavors meld overnight!
Serving Ideas
🍗 With fried chicken or blackened fish.
🥗 Side of collard greens or cornbread.
A taste of New Orleans in every bite! 🇺🇸🌶️
(Fun fact: Called “dirty” rice because the meat and spices give it a “dirty” color!)
