Cajun Dirty Rice Classic (Print Version)

A flavorful Southern dish with spiced rice, savory meats, and aromatic vegetables.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1/2 lb ground pork
02 - 1/2 lb ground beef or chicken livers

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 2 spring onions, sliced (for garnish)

→ Rice & Liquids

08 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
09 - 2 cups chicken broth
10 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 1 1/2 tsp Cajun seasoning
12 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
15 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
16 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground pork and beef or chicken livers, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked, about 6 to 7 minutes.
02 - Add chopped onion, diced bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic to the meat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables soften, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in the Cajun seasoning, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper to evenly coat the meat and vegetables.
04 - Add the rinsed rice to the skillet and stir to combine. Allow the rice to toast for 1 to 2 minutes while stirring.
05 - Pour in the chicken broth and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently until the rice is cooked and liquid absorbed, about 20 to 22 minutes.
06 - Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork to separate grains.
07 - Sprinkle sliced spring onions over the dish before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it's been simmering all day.
  • One pot means less cleanup, more time enjoying what you made.
  • The heat is exactly as bold as you want it to be—dial it up or down without losing the soul of the dish.
02 -
  • Don't skip browning the meat deeply—that golden crust is where the flavor lives, and rushing through it makes the whole dish taste flat.
  • If your broth is heavily salted, start with less salt in the spices and taste at the end; there's no going back once you've added too much.
  • Chicken livers aren't for everyone, but if you've never tried them in this dish, they add a complexity that's hard to describe until you taste it.
03 -
  • Use homemade Cajun seasoning if you can—it keeps better in the pantry and tastes fresher than most store-bought blends.
  • If you're cooking for someone who loves heat, add the cayenne right in; for mixed crowds, leave it out and let people add their own.
  • The resting step at the end isn't just for the rice—it gives you time to set the table and gather everyone around.
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