Dirty Rice

4.60 from 5 votes

You have to try this flavor-packed Cajun classic with ground beef or sausage, incredible spices (including the holy trinity), and soul-satisfying rice. Dirty rice is downright delicious and super easy for those busy weeknights.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings

Calories 220kcal

Ingredients

The Rice

2½ cups chicken broth
1 cup water
2 cups uncooked long grain white rice (basmati, jasmine, etc.)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 bay leaf

The Base

4 ounces unsalted butter
½ cup chicken livers, finely minced
½ pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1 medium onion, diced
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon thyme, minced
½ cup chicken broth
2 green onions, finely sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Rice

To boil the rice, add chicken broth, water, bay leaf, olive oil, and washed rice into a medium or large pot. Stir to combine, then place the pot over medium-low heat, cover it, and let it come to a boil. Lower the heat and cook until the rice is tender, 18-20 minutes.
Once the rice has finished cooking, remove it from the heat, let it cool for about 5 minutes, and remove the bay leaf. Fluff the rice with a fork and set it aside.

The Base

Melt the butter in a large cast-iron pot over medium heat. Add minced chicken liver and brown, occasionally stirring for about 3 minutes. Add ground beef and pork and continue browning for 3-5 minutes.
When the browning process is about done, add the onion, celery, red pepper, garlic, Creole seasoning, and thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.
Add cooked rice and a half cup of chicken broth. Thoroughly combine, then add green onions, salt, and pepper to taste. Toss once more, garnish with parsley, and serve hot.

Notes

Not everyone loves liver. So you can leave the chicken livers out if you prefer.
You can use leftover rice, especially if you made it added broth to the water instead of just water.
If you'd like brown rice for a healthier version, add 30 minutes to the cooking time (or use parboiled brown rice).
You can use up leftovers in the fridge for Cajun-style fried rice. Leftover meat and veggies diced up go great with this recipe.
Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.

Nutrition