Dirty Rice with Ground Beef
Dirty Rice with Ground Beef is a comforting and flavorful Cajun-inspired dish combining savory ground beef, aromatic spices, rice, and a colorful mix of vegetables. Ready in under 30 minutes, this hearty one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, offering bold flavors and a satisfying texture that can be easily customized to suit your taste.
- Author: Emilly
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
- Diet: Gluten Free
Meat and Base
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup white rice, rinsed
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
- 1/2 cup diced onions
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids and Fats
- 2 cups chicken broth or stock
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
Seasonings and Garnishes
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
- Prepare the ingredients: Dice the onions, bell peppers, and celery, and mince the garlic so everything is ready. Rinse the rice thoroughly to remove excess starch for fluffier rice.
- Cook the ground beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté the vegetables: Lower heat to medium and add diced onions, bell peppers, celery, and garlic to the beef. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add spices and rice: Stir in Cajun seasoning, coating the meat and vegetables evenly. Add rinsed rice and stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Cook the rice: Pour chicken broth over the mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for approximately 18 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Finish and garnish: Fluff the rice with a fork. Sprinkle chopped green onions and parsley on top for a fresh, bright finish.
Notes
- Use fresh Cajun seasoning for best flavor.
- Brown the ground beef well to add depth to the dish.
- Rinsing the rice prevents clumping and produces fluffier texture.
- Adjust broth quantity depending on rice type to ensure proper cooking.
- Let the cooked rice rest covered off heat for 5 minutes to set and meld flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Dirty Rice, Ground Beef, Cajun recipe, One-pot meal, Comfort food, Quick dinner, Gluten free