Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, you can substitute brown rice, but you'll need to adjust the cooking time. Brown rice typically takes about 40-45 minutes to cook rather than 20 minutes, and you may need to add a bit more liquid. The texture will be chewier, but still delicious.

Is dirty rice supposed to be spicy?

Traditional dirty rice has a moderate kick, but you can easily adjust the heat level to your preference. Start with less Cajun seasoning if you're sensitive to spice, or add cayenne pepper or hot sauce if you want more heat.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace the meat with a plant-based ground meat substitute or simply use more vegetables like mushrooms, which provide a nice meaty texture. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a fully vegetarian version.

What's the difference between dirty rice and jambalaya?

While both are rice-based Cajun dishes, jambalaya typically includes larger pieces of meat (often sausage and chicken) and sometimes seafood, while dirty rice gets its character from ground meat and traditionally chicken livers. Jambalaya also tends to have a tomatoey base, which dirty rice doesn't include.

Dirty Rice Recipe - Emilyscook

Name: Dirty Rice Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: ½ pound ground pork; ½ pound ground beef; 1 cup diced yellow onion; 1 cup diced green bell pepper; 1 cup diced celery; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning; 2 fresh thyme sprigs; Salt, to taste; Optional: Cayenne pepper or hot sauce; 1 ½ cups long grain white rice; 24 oz beef broth; Green onion, sliced

Description

Dirty Rice is a flavorful and hearty one-pot dish featuring ground pork, ground beef, vegetables, and Cajun seasoning. It’s a classic Southern side dish or main course with robust seasonings that offer incredible taste in every bite.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Meat

- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/2 pound ground beef

Vegetables

- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 1 cup diced green bell pepper
- 1 cup diced celery
- 3 cloves garlic, minced

Seasoning

- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 fresh thyme sprigs
- Salt, to taste
- Optional: Cayenne pepper or hot sauce

Grains

- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice

Liquids

- 24 oz beef broth

Optional Garnish

Green onion, sliced

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Instructions

Cook the Meat: In a large heavy-bottomed pot (like a Dutch oven), over medium-high heat, cook the ground pork and beef until no longer pink. Drain the excess grease. To enhance the flavor, cook the meat until it starts browning and darkening around the edges.
Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery to the pot. Stir frequently and cook the vegetables until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic and Cajun seasoning, cooking for about 30 seconds to release their flavors.
Add Rice and Liquid: Add the long-grain white rice, beef broth, and fresh thyme sprigs into the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
Cook the Rice: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and fully cooked.
Season and Garnish: Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with salt, additional Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce as desired. Garnish with sliced green onions if using and serve warm. Enjoy!

Notes

Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freeze: Transfer leftovers into freezer-friendly bags or containers in serving-size portions. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat as usual.
Reheat: Microwave the dish in 30-second intervals, stirring halfway through, until warm. Alternatively, reheat it in a pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 7 to 8 minutes.
Chicken Liver Option: Dirty Rice is traditionally prepared with chicken livers. You can add ½ cup finely diced chicken livers in addition to the ground pork and beef, or replace the pork and beef entirely with chicken livers for authentic flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving