Quick and Easy Dirty Rice Recipe

This easy Dirty Rice recipe is a traditional New Orleans one-pot rice dish. A classic combination of long-grain white rice, sausage, ground beef, chicken livers, veggies, and Creole spices, this classic Cajun rice is full of flavor!

Many years ago, I worked in Kaplan, Louisiana, in Southern Louisiana, known as Cajun Country, near Lafayette.

Coming from Long Island, I had no idea what Cajun cooking was, never heard of crawfish, and experienced true Southern hospitality for the first time.

Louisiana is much more than the French Quarter in New Orleans.

It is a state rich in history, diverse culture, and warm southern hospitality—similar to the welcoming atmosphere found here in the Florida Keys. The state's unique charm is shaped by its friendly people and a profound history that adds to its special character.

History of Dirty Rice

Dirty Rice originated in Louisiana. It developed as a practical and tasty way to use leftovers, including meats like pork, ground beef, and chicken giblets.

The term, "dirty," describes the rice's speckled appearance, mostly from the chicken livers and gizzards.

The Cajun "Holy Trinity" used in this dish consists of onions, bell pepper, and celery, which play a pivotal role in Louisiana dishes. This trio is the backbone of many Cajun and Creole dishes, imparting a distinctive flavor to Louisiana food.

Today, dirty rice is a delicious staple in Southern cuisine, deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of Louisiana.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Dirty Rice, also called Louisiana rice dressing, is a convenient one-pot meal made by browning meat, sautéing vegetables, and cooking rice, all in the same pot.
• It is an excellent complement to summer fish meals, this side dish might be a little different than your usual sides, adding a nice touch of variety to your table.
• Dirty Rice is savory, a little spicy, and loaded with great flavor.

What's in Dirty Rice?

This recipe includes a mixture of meats (sausage, ground beef, chicken livers), rice, spices, and vegetables, creating a flavorful Southern dish.

This recipe uses breakfast sausage and ground beef, chopped-up chicken livers, Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning, and Uncle Ben's rice.

The seasoned sausage adds great flavor. You can use traditional andouille sausage or seasoned breakfast pork sausage. I've even added hot Italian sausage and it was great!

The chicken livers add texture. Any chicken giblets can be used--hearts, livers, gizzards.

I use Uncle Ben's white rice in this dish because in rice dishes like this converted rice doesn't clump together. I make Spanish Rice with Uncle Ben's too! You can use your favorite long-grain rice.

What is Cajun Seasoning?

I'm using Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning for this rice dressing. Headquartered in Opelousas, Louisiana, Tony Chachere's seasoning blend tastes great and has a spicy kick.

It's made with salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, black and white ground pepper, and cayenne pepper.

Tony's Chachere's seasoning blend is available at all grocery stores. You can find it in the seafood department or on the spice rack. It has a good amount of sodium, so be careful with adding extra salt as you cook.

To make garlic Cajun seasoning, there is a recipe in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.

What You Need:

• ground pork or seasoned breakfast sausage
• ground beef
• chicken livers, finely chopped
• diced green bell pepper, diced (about half a pepper)
• diced yellow onion (1 small yellow onion)
• celery
• long grain rice (I use Uncle Ben’s white converted rice)
• green onions
• garlic
• Worcestershire sauce
• chicken broth
• Cajun or Creole seasoning (I used Tony Chachere’s)
• parsley
• salt and black pepper to taste

See the recipe card below for quantities.

Cajun Rice Recipe

This recipe makes 6 servings. You can easily double it.

• In a large Dutch oven or 6 to 8-quart saucepan with a lid, sauté the meat over medium-high heat, breaking the large pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook a few minutes until the meat is no longer pink.
• Add the bell pepper, onions, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the veggies soften and start to brown.
• Add the rice, green onions, and garlic; continue to stir for 1-2 minutes until the rice begins to turn opaque.
• Add the Worcestershire sauce, chicken stock, and creole seasoning. Mix well, lower heat to LOW, and cover. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.
• Remove from the heat and stir in chopped parsley.
• Serve hot.

Pairings

What goes with dirty rice for dinner? Classic Southern Louisiana dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, and crawfish etouffee are the customary dishes to pair with dirty rice.

You can also pair this delicious side dish with grilled steak or pan-seared chicken, roasted snapper, blackened swordfish, blackened shrimp, or crispy pan-fried mahi mahi.

Check out all of our fish recipes and pick your favorite. We also have a collection of seafood recipes made using Blackened Seasoning.

Storage and Reheating

Allow the cooked rice dish to cool to room temperature. Transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The rice can be frozen in storage containers for up to 2 months.

Reheat on the stovetop by placing the rice in a pan, adding a splash of water to prevent drying, and stirring over medium heat until heated through. Or, you can microwave for a few minutes until hot.

How To Make Authentic Slow-Cooked New Cajun Rice

From the bayou of Louisiana, check out Kent Rollins's YouTube video, Cajun Dirty Rice with Justin Wilson. Cowboy Kent shows us how to make old-fashioned authentic dirty rice, cooked for 4 hours in a big cast-iron pot, with clips from Cajun Chef Justin Wilson.

Chef Justin Wilson was a well-known TV personality and Cajun chef. He gained popularity through his cooking show, Justin Wilson's Louisiana Cookin', which was on TV in the 1970s and 1980s.

Chef Justin was known for making Cajun cooking entertaining, much like how Julia Child made French cuisine fun.

Key Takeaway

Dirty Rice, also called Louisiana rice dressing, originating in the US state of Louisiana, is a flavorful Southern dish rooted in Cajun and Creole traditions.

The easy dirty rice recipe gets its name from the speckled appearance of the rice dish, a combination of long-grain rice, ground beef, chicken livers, ground pork, and aromatic vegetables, all seasoned with a blend of Cajun spices.

Celebrated for its rich flavor and cultural significance, this classic rice dressing captures the essence of Southern comfort food.

It is perfect for family gatherings and summer outings. On Fat Tuesday, include it on your Mardi Gras menu too!

FAQ

"📖 Recipe"