Easy One-Pot Dirty Rice | Simple Cajun Beef & Rice

Dirty rice

Prep: 25 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Total: 55 mins | Serves: 6 | Cuisine: Cajun & Creole

Forget the overpriced takeout portions or the bland boxed mixes you find at the grocery store. Making your own dirty rice at home means you get to control exactly how much smoky heat goes into the pot, and it costs a fraction of a restaurant meal. Plus, there is something so satisfying about watching a single pan transform into a hearty, colorful dinner. We keep this dirty rice simple by using a base of savory beef mince and a colorful mix of diced peppers and celery. A generous scoop of Cajun spice mix brings everything together, giving the dish that authentic Creole soul without needing a long list of complicated seasonings. Since we are using one pot, you won't spend your entire evening scrubbing dishes. It is a reliable, comforting meal that hits the table in under an hour. Grab your favorite skillet and get ready to simmer up some authentic dirty rice.

Dirty rice

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of sunflower or vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 2 stalks of celery, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, finely chopped
• 400-500g ground beef
• 2 cloves of garlic, grated or crushed
• 1½ tbsp of Cajun seasoning
• 400g rinsed long grain rice
• 750ml beef broth
• sliced spring onions for garnish

Instructions

Step 1

Grab your favorite large, lidded pan and warm up the oil over medium-low heat. Toss in your diced onion, celery, and peppers, stirring them gently for about 8 to 10 minutes. You're looking for them to get soft and translucent, which creates a great flavor base for the rice. Now, stir in the beef mince and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes. Keep breaking the meat up with your spoon until it's nicely browned and no longer pink. Look at that golden crust forming! Stir in the minced garlic and fry for just one minute until it smells fragrant. Sprinkle in your Cajun spice mix and stir it through for another minute to toast the spices. Once everything is well combined, bump your heat up to medium to keep things moving.

Step 2

Stir in your rice and pour over the stock, then pop the lid on and let it simmer gently for about 15 to 18 minutes. Start checking the grains around the 10-minute mark to make sure everything is hydrating properly. If the rice still feels a bit firm or looks dry, just splash in a little extra water or stock until the grains are tender. Once the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice is fluffy, turn off the heat and stir in those fresh spring onions for a bright, crisp finish.

Nutrition Information

calories: 488 calories

fat: 17 grams fat

carbohydrate: 58 grams carbohydrates

protein: 24 grams protein

fiber: 3 grams fiber

sugar: 3 grams sugar

Shop This Recipe

• Spring Onions Finely Sliced Serve
• Celery Sticks Finely Chopped
• Yellow Pepper Finely Chopped
• Pan
• Garlic Crushed Finely Grated

My Tip

For the best texture, try stirring the dry rice into the beef and vegetables for a minute before adding the stock. This lightly toasts the grains in the oil and helps them absorb all those savory Cajun spices.

Leftovers

Keep your dirty rice in a sealed container in the fridge for up to four days. When you're ready for more, heat it in a skillet with a splash of water to keep the beef and peppers juicy.

Make It Your Own

Try swapping the beef mince for crumbled firm tofu or finely chopped mushrooms. It's a great way to make this a vegetarian-friendly meal while keeping all those bold Cajun spices.

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