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    Home » Southern Classics » Easy Dirty Rice

    Published: Aug 25, 2020 · Modified: Sep 25, 2021 by Sara

    Easy Dirty Rice

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    Dirty rice

    Dirty rice is a classic Creole dish that can be served as a side or an entree. This version has beef and pork sausage and is so easy to make!

    Dirty rice

    What is dirty rice?

    The reason we call this rice dish “dirty” is because cooking it with small bits of beef, pork, or minced chicken livers can give the originally white rice a brownish color. I chose to make it without chicken livers, so this rice is pretty light in color.

    dirty rice

    The meat used can vary, but it always includes the “holy trinity” of Cajun and Creole cooking: green bell pepper, onions, and celery. It also always includes a Creole or Cajun seasoning like Tony Chachere’s, which is our personal favorite and we use it in a ton of dishes.

    This Jambalaya Recipe and Shrimp Etouffee are two more classics that wouldn’t be the same without our favorite Tony C’s seasoning!

    Dirty rice

    How do you make dirty rice?

    First, cook ground beef and ground pork sausage in a heavy pot. Then, add in the holy trinity, garlic, and seasonings. Once the veggies are starting to get soft, add rice and chicken broth. Let it come to a boil, and then reduce the heat, cover, and let it simmer until the rice is cooked.

    Dirty rice

    Seriously, that’s it! I told you it was easy… garnish with green onions and serve it with hot sauce so it can be spiced to your liking.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    WHAT’S ANOTHER NAME FOR DIRTY RICE?

    It’s also called Cajun Rice or Cajun Dirty Rice

    IS DIRTY RICE SPICY?

    It can be spicy or not, according to your preference. If you make it with a hot sausage that’s certainly going to add some spice. Otherwise, the main heat will come from the seasoning blend and anything added by each diner according to preference, like hot sauce. Our Spicy Mexican Rice has heat that can be dialed up or down too.

    IS DIRTY RICE A HEALTHY DISH?

    Our version is made from all natural, pure ingredients, so it’s definitely healtheir than most mixes out of a box.

    WHAT’S ANOTHER SIDE DISH TO GO WITH DIRTY RICE?

    Any type of salad, or cooked vegetable pairs well. Favorites are old fashioned Ambrosia Salad or a platter with a selection of munchies, including Pickled Okra.

    Main Dishes to go with Dirty Rice

    Main dishes to serve with it include Creamy Cajun Pork Chops, Grilled Blackened Chicken, and Grilled Cajun Wings, and if you’re feeling festive, try your hand at making a classic New Orleans Hurricane!

    If you want a second rice option be sure to check out Red Beans and Rice. It’s a traditional Creole favorite.

    Scroll down to the bottom for even more ideas.

    Dirty rice
    Dirty rice

    Easy Dirty Rice

    Sara
    Dirty rice is a classic Creole dish that can be served as a side or an entree. This version has beef and pork sausage and is so easy to make!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Resting Time 10 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Main Course, Side Dish
    Cuisine American, Cajun, Creole
    Servings 6 people

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1 lb ground pork sausage
    • 1 cup celery sliced
    • 1 onion diced
    • 1 green bell pepper diced
    • 3 cloves garlic minced
    • 2 tsp Creole seasoning
    • ½ tsp salt
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 3 ½ cups chicken broth
    • 1 ½ cups rice
    • green onions for garnish
    • hot sauce to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Add ground beef and sausage to a heavy bottomed pan over medium heat. Cook 4-5 minutes until no pink remains.
    • Add onion, garlic, green pepper, celery, Cajun seasoning, salt, and bay leaves. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
    • Add rice and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered about 20 minutes or until rice is cooked.
    • Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Garnish with green onions and serve with hot sauce.
    Keyword cajun, creole, dirty rice, side dish
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    If you love all foods from the south like we do you’ll want to read Southern Food: Then & Now. It’a detailed look at the origin of our ingredients and recipes, as well as a look into what the future may hold for southern food.

    If you make this or any of our recipes we’d love for you to leave us a comment and star rating. If you’re into sharing your creations, snap a photo and tag us when you post it to Facebook or Instagram.

    Try these other Cajun and Creole recipes!

    easy shrimp etouffee in bowl with rice
    Shrimp Etouffee
    hurricane cocktail
    New Orleans Hurricane
    pork chops in skillet
    Pork Chops in Creamy Cajun Pan Sauce
    Muffaletta Salad
    Muffaletta Shot Apps
    Cajun Beef Tenderloin with Bourbon Glaze
    Bourbon-Glazed Cajun Beef Tenderloin
    Fiery Cajun shrimp gets an update to the true original recipe
    Fiery Cajun Shrimp
    Gumbo with seafood, sausage and chicken from our family recipe.
    Chicken & Seafood Gumbo
    Cajun-Crab-Dip
    Cajun Crab Dip
    Jambalaya Dip
    Jambalaya Dip

    Categories: Cajun & Creole Tags: entrees, side dish

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Angela Allison says

      August 28, 2020 at 8:51 am

      5 stars
      YUM! I love this recipe. My kids gobbled it up! What a perfect combination of flavors. Will definitely make dirty rice again!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        August 28, 2020 at 2:25 pm

        Yay! We love hearing that.

        Reply
    2. Beth says

      August 28, 2020 at 9:27 am

      5 stars
      My husband loves this recipe! It’s one of his favorites! Can’t wait to make this again!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        August 28, 2020 at 10:23 am

        Happy to hear it. Thanks, Beth!

        Reply
    3. Gloria says

      August 28, 2020 at 9:32 am

      5 stars
      This is such a great side dish. Great with lots of proteins. I can even make a meal of it all on it’s own.

      Reply
      • Pam says

        August 28, 2020 at 10:23 am

        Yes, we can make a meal off of it too. Thanks, Gloria!

        Reply
    4. Pris says

      August 28, 2020 at 9:34 am

      5 stars
      This looks amazing, so comforting!! reminds me of a southern Brazilian gaúcho dish, made with rice and left over barbecue or cured meat, called carreteiro. I imagine different countries have their own versions of dirty rice! Will try yours soon 🙂

      Reply
      • Pam says

        August 28, 2020 at 10:22 am

        That sounds awesome too. Will have to look up carreteiro. Thanks, Pris!

        Reply
    5. Toni says

      August 28, 2020 at 10:02 am

      5 stars
      This is absolutely amazing! Love how tasty it is!

      Reply
      • Pam says

        August 28, 2020 at 10:21 am

        Thanks so much, Toni!

        Reply
    6. RosieD says

      August 28, 2020 at 5:44 pm

      Did u use regular rice or instant rice- looks delicious

      Reply
      • Sara says

        August 30, 2020 at 2:53 pm

        Thanks! I used regular white rice.

        Reply
    7. Dawna Johnson says

      November 14, 2020 at 11:26 am

      Do you have to use hamburger meat and sausage, only asking because I only have sausages??

      Reply
      • Pam says

        November 19, 2020 at 10:46 am

        Absolutely, I would make it with just sausage if that’s what you have. We’re big believers in using what you have on hand.

        Reply
    8. Charlotte Hall says

      February 19, 2022 at 6:41 am

      If I were to include chicken livers, how much? This looks awesome!

      Reply
      • Sara says

        February 19, 2022 at 3:27 pm

        Thanks so much, Charlotte! If you’re going to add them, I would probably sub them for one of the other meats. For example, only use 1/2 lb of ground beef, and then add in 1/2 pound of livers. Be sure to chop them up finely!

        Reply

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