Description
This Ground Beef Dirty Rice recipe brings the bold and savory flavors of Louisiana right to your kitchen! Using simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll create a comforting and satisfying dish packed with ground beef, the “holy trinity” of Cajun cooking (onion, bell pepper, celery), and a kick of spice. Perfect for a weeknight meal or a flavorful side dish.
Ingredients
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1 pound ground beef
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1 medium yellow onion, chopped
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1 green bell pepper, chopped
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2 celery stalks, chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 1/2 cups long-grain rice, uncooked
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2 1/2 cups chicken broth
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2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
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1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
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1 teaspoon hot sauce (or more, to taste)
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2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
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1/4 cup chopped green onions, for garnish
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1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
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Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Brown the Ground Beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
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Sauté the Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery to the skillet with the ground beef. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
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Add Rice and Seasonings: Stir in the uncooked rice, Cajun seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to lightly toast the rice. This enhances the flavor.
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Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet or Dutch oven, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked through and the liquid is absorbed. Do not lift the lid during this time.
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Rest and Fluff: Remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 10 minutes. This allows the rice to fully absorb any remaining liquid and prevents it from becoming sticky.
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Garnish and Serve: Fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in half of the green onions and parsley. Garnish with the remaining green onions and parsley before serving. Serve hot.
Notes
Variations:
Spicier: Add more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
Add Chicken Liver: For a more traditional Dirty Rice, substitute half of the ground beef with cooked and crumbled chicken livers.
Sausage: Substitute half of the ground beef with andouille sausage.
Tips for Preparation/Serving:
Make sure to drain the excess grease from the ground beef to prevent a greasy dish.
Toasting the rice before adding the broth is a crucial step for achieving a nutty flavor and preventing the rice from becoming mushy.
Serve with a side of cornbread or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
Allergies/Intolerances:
Gluten-Free: Ensure the Cajun seasoning and Worcestershire sauce are gluten-free.
Dairy-Free: This recipe is naturally dairy-free.
Taste Preferences:
Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning and hot sauce to your preferred level of spiciness.
If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun, Creole
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Ground Beef Dirty Rice, Dirty Rice, Cajun Food, Creole Food, Louisiana Recipe, Ground Beef Recipe, Rice Recipe, One-Pot Meal, Easy Dinner, Quick Dinner, Comfort Food, Weeknight Meal.