Cajun Dirty Rice Ground Beef (Printable)
Flavorful Cajun dirty rice with ground beef and aromatic vegetables in a one-pan dish.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef, 85% lean recommended
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced
→ Rice & Broth
07 - 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice, uncooked
08 - 3 cups chicken broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
09 - 1 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning
10 - 1/2 tsp paprika
11 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
12 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
→ Oils
16 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
# Directions:
01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté until vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in Cajun seasoning, paprika, thyme, oregano, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add uncooked rice to the skillet, stirring well to coat the grains evenly with the spice mixture and rendered fat.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is fully absorbed.
06 - Remove from heat and let rice rest covered for 5 minutes. Fluff gently with a fork before serving.
07 - Top with thinly sliced green onions and serve hot.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan, which means maximum flavor and minimum cleanup
- The Cajun spice blend creates layers of heat and depth that build on themselves
- This recipe feeds a crowd without requiring hours of prep or fancy techniques
02 -
- Resist the urge to lift the lid while the rice simmers, or you'll release steam and alter the cooking time
- The rice continues to absorb liquid as it rests, so don't worry if there's a tiny bit of liquid remaining when you turn off the heat
03 -
- Chop your vegetables uniformly so they cook at the same rate and disappear into the rice
- Rinse your rice until the water runs clear to prevent excess starch from making the dish gummy