Cajun Dirty Rice Ground Beef (Print version)

Spiced ground beef and fluffy rice meld with aromatic vegetables and fresh herbs for a hearty Southern dish.

# What you need:

→ Meats

01 - 14 oz ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, finely diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Rice

06 - 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked

→ Liquids

07 - 2 cups chicken or beef broth
08 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil

→ Herbs & Spices

09 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - 1 tsp dried oregano
12 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
13 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 2 tbsp fresh green onions, sliced

# Directions:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
02 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart with spoon, until browned and cooked through, 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté 5 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add rice and all dried spices (paprika, thyme, oregano, cayenne, black pepper, salt). Stir well to coat rice and vegetables evenly.
06 - Pour in broth and bring to a boil.
07 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat. Let stand covered 5 minutes.
09 - Fluff rice with fork, then stir in fresh parsley and green onions before serving.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, leaving you with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor in under an hour
  • The spices build layers of warmth that satisfy without overwhelming, perfect for weeknight comfort food
02 -
  • Resist the urge to lift the lid while the rice simmers, or you will release steam that is essential for proper cooking
  • The standing period after cooking completes the rice texture and prevents gummy grains
03 -
  • Chop all vegetables before starting cooking, since the process moves quickly once the heat is on
  • Ground turkey or pork work perfectly as substitutes if beef is not your preference

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