Description
Delicious Southern Style Dirty Rice is a flavorful and hearty one-pot dish made with ground beef, optional chicken livers, aromatic vegetables, and bold Cajun seasoning, all cooked together with rice in a savory broth. This comforting classic Southern recipe delivers a perfect balance of spices and textures, ideal as a filling main or a tasty side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 pound chicken livers (optional), finely chopped
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Grains and Seasoning
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 tablespoon oil or butter
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Liquids
- 2 cups beef or chicken broth
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, and chicken livers (if using). Rinse the rice if needed to remove excess starch.
- Brown the Meat: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and chicken livers (if using), breaking the meat apart as it cooks, until fully browned and cooked through.
- Cook Vegetables: Drain excess grease if necessary, then add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery to the skillet. Cook for 5–7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Season: Sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to evenly coat the mixture and toast the spices over the heat for 1–2 minutes to enhance their flavor.
- Incorporate Rice and Broth: Add the uncooked rice to the skillet, stirring to coat it with the seasoned mixture. Pour in the beef or chicken broth and bring the contents to a boil on medium-high heat.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet or Dutch oven, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is fully absorbed.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice gently with a fork, then garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving hot.
Notes
- You can omit the chicken livers if you prefer a milder flavor or a beef-only dish.
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning amount to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Use low-sodium broth to reduce salt content if desired.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your stove and cookware.
- For added depth, consider sautéing the vegetables in butter instead of oil.
