Cajun Dirty Rice with Ground Beef (Printable)
Louisiana classic featuring seasoned ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and tender rice combined with Cajun spices for bold flavor.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 4 oz chicken livers, finely chopped (optional)
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
→ Rice
08 - 1.5 cups long grain white rice, rinsed
09 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
11 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 0.5 tsp dried thyme
13 - 0.5 tsp dried oregano
14 - 0.5 tsp black pepper
15 - 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
16 - 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
→ Oils & Garnish
17 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
18 - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
# Steps:
01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and chicken livers if using. Cook while breaking up the meat until browned and no longer pink, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
02 - Add diced onion, bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until vegetables are softened and fragrant, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt. Cook for 1 minute until spices become fragrant.
04 - Add rinsed rice to the skillet and stir continuously to coat each grain evenly with the spiced oil and meat mixture.
05 - Pour chicken broth into the skillet and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is completely absorbed.
06 - Remove from heat and let rest covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork to separate grains.
07 - Stir in sliced green onions and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The trinity of bell peppers, onions, and celery creates this incredible foundation that makes your kitchen smell like a proper Southern cookout.
- Once you master this one-pot wonder, youll find yourself making it on busy weeknights when you need something satisfying that doesnt require hours of effort.
02 -
- If you stir the rice too much while its cooking, youll end up with a mushy texture instead of those perfect separate grains.
- I once thought I could skip rinsing the rice and regretted it immediately - the extra starch made everything gummy instead of fluffy.
03 -
- Toast your spices in the hot pan for just 30 seconds before adding the rice - it awakens their essential oils and transforms the flavor from flat to fantastic.
- If you accidentally oversalt, stir in a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving - it balances the salt and adds a bright note to the rich flavors.