Learn how to make dirty rice with us! This Cajun rice recipe is perfect as a side dish or a main dish. It has that classic brown color and is full of bold flavor from the seasoned meats, veggies, and spices. This easy recipe will have everyone coming back for seconds!
Want to save this recipe?
We'll email you this recipe so you can come back to it later!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Comfort Food: Dirty rice is classic Southern comfort food, perfect for family dinners, holidays, or anytime you’re craving something good.
- Cajun Flavor: The bold flavors and a little heat make this rice extra delicious.
- Savory & Hearty: Ground meats, veggies, and seasonings come together to make a filling, tasty dish.
What is Dirty Rice?
Dirty rice is a tasty Louisiana dish made with rice, meat, and spices. It’s called “dirty” because the rice gets a brown color from the seasonings and cooked meat.
What’s in dirty rice?
Dirty rice usually has rice, ground meat (like sausage or beef), chicken organs like livers or gizzards, and vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and celery. It also has seasonings like Cajun spices and garlic.
Ingredients
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Cooked white rice: Day-old long grain rice works best for texture, but freshly cooked rice will do. We cook our rice in chicken stock for flavor, but beef broth is also a popular choice.
- Green bell pepper, Celery, and Onion: This is the Cajun Holy Trinity!
- Garlic cloves: Fresh garlic is best for flavor, but you can substitute with garlic paste, garlic powder, or granulated garlic if needed.
- Ground meat: Ground beef is a classic choice, but you can also use ground sausage (pork sausage). For a lighter option, turkey sausage or ground chicken can be great alternatives.
- Chicken livers and/or chicken gizzards: Traditional, but not everyone likes them. If you’re not a fan, chicken thighs or ground chicken can be swapped in for a similar texture and flavor.
- Cajun seasoning (or Creole seasoning): Use your preferred seasoning mix, but keep in mind that Creole seasoning is typically milder, while Cajun seasoning packs more heat. Adjust to taste.
- Dried oregano: If you’re out of oregano, thyme can be used as a substitute.
- Smoked paprika: This adds a smoky flavor, but regular paprika or a pinch of chili powder can be used if you don’t have it on hand.
- Seasoned salt or Soul Food seasoning: Make our homemade Soul Food seasoning or use seasoned salt or your favorite all-purpose seasoning.
- Green onion: These add freshness.
- Cooking oil: Any oil with a high smoke point will work (vegetable, canola, or avocado oil), but if you want extra flavor, try using bacon grease.
Easy Dirty Rice Recipe
Detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
Step 1: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat cooking oil and add the diced bell peppers, celery, onion, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
Step 2: Add the ground beef or sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
Step 3: Then, add the chopped chicken livers and/or gizzards. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until fully cooked and browned.
Step 4: Stir in the dried oregano, Cajun spices, smoked paprika, and seasoned salt (or Soul Food seasoning). Mix well to combine the flavors.
Step 5: Add the cooked rice to the skillet, stirring to incorporate everything.
Step 6: Cook for another 3-5 minutes to allow the rice to heat through and absorb the flavors. Stir in chopped green onions before serving.
What to Serve
Traditional dirty Rice goes great with a variety of Southern dishes. Some of our favorites include red beans, pork chops, collard greens, fried chicken, and cornbread.
Storage and Reheating
- Let the dirty rice cool down to room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- To reheat, microwave in a microwave-safe container. You can also reheat on the stove in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or water to prevent drying out.
Commonly Asked Questions
Dirty rice is made with ground meat, like sausage or beef, and usually includes chicken organs like livers or gizzards. It’s cooked with Cajun spices and veggies. Rice dressing is very similar but may not always have meat or organs.
Dirty rice can be a little spicy because of Cajun. But you can make it as spicy as you like! If you prefer less heat, just use less of the spicy seasonings or leave them out.
How to Make Dirty Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 bell peppers of any color diced
- 2 stalks celery diced
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 5-8 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ½ pound ground beef or pork sausage
- 1 pound chicken liver and/or gizzards chopped
- 2 tablespoons Cajun or Creole seasoning
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Seasoned salt or Soul Food seasoning or to taste
- 2 tablespoons Green onion chopped (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon Cooking oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Prepare the Rice: If not already done, cook the rice. Our method is to combine 2 cups rice with 2 cups water and 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about 20 minutes until rice is cooked. Then we let it cool and refrigerate overnight.
- Sauté the Veggies: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced bell peppers, celery, onion (the holy trinity of vegetables), and garlic. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.
- Cook the Meat and Chicken Organs: Add the ground beef or sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Then, add the chopped chicken livers and/or gizzards. Cook for 5-7 minutes, until fully cooked and browned.
- Season It: Stir in the dried oregano, Cajun spices, smoked paprika, and seasoned salt (or Soul Food seasoning). Mix well to combine the flavors.
- Combine Rice and Browned Meats: Add the cooked rice to the skillet, stirring to incorporate everything. Cook for another 3-5 minutes to allow the rice to heat through and absorb the flavors.
- Add Green Onions and Serve: Stir in chopped green onions before serving.
Notes
- Plan Ahead: If possible, cook the rice the day before and refrigerate it overnight for the best texture.
- Spices: Cajun seasoning can be salty, so taste before adding extra salt or seasoned salt.
- Ground Meat: Ground beef is traditional, but ground sausage (pork or turkey) or ground chicken can be used.
- Chicken Livers/Gizzards: Traditional but optional—swap with chicken thighs if preferred
- Cooking Oil: Any high-smoke-point oil works (vegetable, canola, avocado), or use bacon grease for extra flavor.
This dirty rice recipe is delicious! A lot easier to make than I expected. Definitely will make this recipe again!
Thank you so much! 😊 I’m so glad you enjoyed the dirty rice! It’s always a win when a recipe turns out both delicious and easy.
My parents are from South Louisiana so I’ve eaten it growing up. I knew what was in it but not the process of making it. Now that my parents have passed, I’m always trying to recreate some recipes that my mom didn’t share. This was so close, it made me tear up. Thank you so much! It was excellent and easy! ❤️