Easy Dirty Rice is a flavorful dish featuring ground beef, Italian sausage, vegetables, Cajun seasoning, and rice, cooked in beef broth. This one-pot dish is hearty enough to be the main course or can be enjoyed as a delicious side dish! Once you see how easy this is to make, you will skip the store-bought boxed variety from now on! For another rice dish you will love, check out my Stick of Butter Rice, too!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Meats: Both ground beef and mild Italian sausage are added to this recipe. Using both kinds of meat adds to the flavor of the dish. If you want more of a kick, use spicy Italian sausage or try it with kielbasa for something different. However, you could certainly stick to using only ground beef to simplify the recipe. Traditionally, many dirty rice recipes often include chicken livers as an ingredient. However, I did not add that to this recipe.
Vegetables: I added yellow onion, green bell pepper, celery, and garlic. You could adjust the quantities of the vegetables added.
Cajun Seasoning: For the most flavor from the seasoning, make your own Cajun seasoning! It is easy to adjust the amount until the dish reaches your desired level of spice.
Rice: I used long-grain white rice like jasmine or basmati, which the cooking time is based on. Adjust the time according to the rice you are cooking.
Beef Broth: Beef broth provides lots of flavor to the dish and is the liquid used to cook the rice. You could substitute beef stock if you have that on hand.
Why Is It Called Dirty Rice?
Dirty rice gets its name from the color of the rice after it has been cooked with meat, vegetables, seasonings, and beef broth. The white rice turns a dirty brown color, hence the name! Dirty rice can also be called Cajun rice or rice dressing, but no matter what you call it, it is delicious!
How To Serve Dirty Rice
Serve dirty rice as the main dish or as a side dish. Here are some foods that go well with the rice:
- Cornbread (or Cornbread Muffins)
- Grilled Corn on the Cob
- Coleslaw
- Green Beans
- Blackened Salmon (or other blackened fish recipes)
- BBQ Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Shrimp
- Short Ribs
How To Store Easy Dirty Rice
To store dirty rice, first, let it cool completely. Next, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will last up to 3-4 days. Reheat the rice in the microwave or a saucepan over medium heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. For longer storage, freeze dirty rice in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Easy Dirty Rice
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound mild Italian sausage
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups (370 g) long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 4 cups (32 ounces / 960 g) beef broth
- fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, brown ground beef and Italian sausage until the meat is no longer pink and fully cooked (8-10 minutes). Drain excess grease if needed.
- Add onions, green pepper, and celery. Cook until softened (4-5 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
- Stir in Cajun seasoning, kosher salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Add uncooked rice and beef broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until rice is cooked through.
- Remove from heat. Allow the rice to rest for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Video
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
Yum! I've never tried Dirty Rice before so I didn't know what to expect. The combination of flavors and spices mixed in with the rice and meat was amazing. I will definitely be making it at home!
Elizabeth
I had never tried a homemade version of dirty rice (just the boxed variety). This did not disappoint, and I had to go back for seconds. When I make it, I plan to use spicy Italian sausage for a little bit more heat.
Rachael
Super flavorful, easy dish! Comes together in around 30 minutes and is a complete meal with the sausage and ground beef!
Annabelle
This rice has so much flavor, and is incredibly easy to make! This would be a great addition to any dinner!
Bella
This dish is so flavorful and fulfilling! It is also very simple, and you can make this in a decent amount of time!
Selena
Loads of flavor from the sausage and the Cajun seasoning. Super easy one dish meal!
First time making this rice! Moving to the South we’ve found dirty rice is common
I followed recipe as given and my husband loves it I even reheated leftovers for lunch. It’s a keeper recipe and I’ll definitely be making it again!
Love this recipe! The flavors go with everything. Take the time to make your own Cajun Spice from her other recipes. I’m going to double this and try freeze drying it. I think it would make a great MRE for camping or emergency.
I decided to try your recipe for Dirty Rice and you know what – it’s the first time I’ll eat it!! Everyone else puts liver in it and no one in this famiy likes liver!! I am 89 years old and this is the first Dirty Rice recipe I’ve liked. It’s down on our menu rotation as a side to be served with any meat dish. (Except liver, gizzard or kidney, of course. LOL) % stars from each of 3 family members. My sons cleaned the pot out.