Dirty Rice with Ground Beef Recipe
A flavorful and hearty Dirty Rice recipe featuring ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and a blend of Cajun spices cooked together with rice to create a savory, comforting one-pan meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 green or red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and cooked through. Remove excess fat if necessary to prevent greasiness.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, enhancing the base flavors.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in Cajun seasoning, thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook the mixture for another minute to allow the spices to bloom and coat the ingredients evenly.
- Incorporate Rice: Add the uncooked long-grain white rice to the skillet, stirring well to coat every grain with the seasoning and vegetable mixture, ensuring even flavor distribution.
- Simmer with Broth: Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
- Rest and Fluff: Remove the skillet from heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Then, fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate the grains and release steam.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped green onions over the cooked dirty rice before serving hot, adding a fresh and colorful finishing touch.
Notes
- Be sure to cook the ground beef fully and drain excess fat for a leaner dish.
- Adjust the Cajun seasoning to taste depending on your spice preference.
- Using long-grain white rice ensures proper texture; substituting with brown rice will increase cooking time.
- Letting the rice rest after cooking improves fluffiness and texture.
- This dish pairs well with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
Keywords: Dirty Rice, Ground Beef, Cajun Rice, One-Pot Recipe, Southern Cuisine, Easy Dinner, Comfort Food
