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Dirty Rice Recipe

Easy Cajun Dirty Rice

This authentic dirty rice recipe brings traditional Cajun flavors to your table with simple ingredients you already have. Made with seasoned ground pork and beef, the holy trinity of vegetables, and perfectly spiced rice, this one-pot wonder delivers restaurant-quality results in just 40 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Cajun, Louisiana, Southern
Calories: 501
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Proteins & Oil
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
Vegetables
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 1 stalk celery chopped
  • 3 teaspoons minced garlic
Rice & Seasonings
  • 2 cups long grain white rice
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Herbs de Provence or Italian herb blend
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 1/2-2 teaspoons salt to taste
  • 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 1 handful fresh curly parsley finely chopped

Equipment

  • Large skillet with lid
  • Wooden spoon
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet with a lid over medium-high heat.
  2. Add diced onions, bell peppers, celery, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2 minutes until vegetables are fragrant and slightly softened.
  3. Push the sautéed vegetables to one half of the pan, creating space on the other side.
  4. Add ground pork and ground beef to the empty half of the pan. Brown the meat for 4-5 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
  5. Once meat is browned, stir everything together in the pan to combine vegetables and meat.
  6. Add rice, salt, black pepper, chili powder, and Herbs de Provence to the pan. Stir to coat everything evenly.
  7. Pour in beef broth and stir to combine. Bring the liquid to a boil.
  8. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer, cover with lid, and cook for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
  9. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Fluff the dirty rice with a fork, stir in chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

Storage: Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in a covered container. This dish freezes well for up to 3 months.
Meat Substitutions: You can easily substitute ground chicken, turkey, or andouille sausage for the pork and beef. For authentic Cajun flavor, try using andouille sausage.
Spice Level: Adjust heat by adding red pepper flakes during cooking or top with hot sauce before serving. For milder flavor, reduce chili powder to 1/4 teaspoon.
Broth Option: You can use beef broth concentrate mixed with hot water instead of prepared broth. Use 3 teaspoons concentrate with 3 cups hot water.