Cajun Dirty Rice Beef Herbs (Printable)

A flavorful southern dish with spiced ground beef, aromatic veggies, and fluffy rice enhanced by fresh herbs and Cajun spices.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 14 oz ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, finely diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Rice

06 - 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked

→ Liquids

07 - 2 cups chicken or beef broth
08 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil

→ Herbs & Spices

09 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - 1 tsp dried oregano
12 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
13 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 2 tbsp fresh green onions, sliced

# Directions:

01 - Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
02 - Add the ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add the rice and all the dried spices (paprika, thyme, oregano, cayenne, black pepper, salt). Stir well to coat the rice and vegetables.
06 - Pour in the broth and bring to a boil.
07 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat. Let stand covered for 5 minutes.
09 - Fluff the rice with a fork, then stir in fresh parsley and green onions before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • One skillet means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor development
  • The holy trinity of onion, celery, and bell pepper creates that authentic Louisiana depth
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day as the spices continue to meld
02 -
  • Resist the urge to lift the lid while the rice simmers, or you will disrupt the steam and end up with unevenly cooked grains
  • The standing time is not optional, this is when the rice finishes cooking in its own steam
  • Authentic dirty rice often includes chicken livers, but this version keeps it approachable while still delivering incredible depth
03 -
  • Toast your rice in the spices for a full minute before adding any liquid to unlock nutty undertones
  • Pre dice all your vegetables before starting, since the recipe moves quickly once you begin cooking

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