Rich, hearty and full of flavor, Louisiana Dirty Rice is one of those delectably versatile side dishes that you just might let steal the show. A true Southern recipe filled with sausage, ground beef, bell pepper, onion, celery & spices, dirty rice is richly savory, completely comforting and can show up on any table from a Tuesday to the holidays!
Like most of our recipes here in the south, we make our food work for us. And the dishes that can carry the most load are often the most popular. Dirty Rice is one of those comfort food work horses that’s loaded with flavor and can show up almost any time or place. Weeknight dinners, potlucks, family dinners, and most importantly, holidays.
It’s sometimes used as a dressing (or stuffing) for chicken, turkey and quail. It can be stuffed in peppers. Enjoyed on it’s own. At my house, Louisiana Dirty Rice often shows up as the main dish, complete with real deal sides like fried okra, blackeyed peas and yellow cornbread.
It’s called Dirty Rice because the rice turns a “dirty” brown color while cooking with the diced meats and spices. You’ll also hear Dirty Rice called “Cajun Rice” or “Rice Dressing”, but they’re all variations of the same rice dish (they may use different types of meat or add more or less veggies, or spices).
What You Need To Make Louisiana Dirty Rice
Like most recipes with a rich Louisiana history, almost every family has their own passed down version or “the way they like to do it.” Below are the ingredients and the methods we use to prepare Dirty Rice.
- white rice
- ground beef
- ground sausage
- bell pepper
- onion
- celery
- chicken broth
- flour, cooking oil
- chili powder, oregano, parsley, thyme, paprika, bay leaves, garlic, salt, pepper, & cayenne (Dirty Rice seasoning- everything you need!)
What Is Dirty Rice
Dirty Rice, sometimes called ‘rice dressing,’ is a classic savory Louisiana rice dish that starts with browning spicy meats, then layering in rich flavor with onion, bell pepper, celery (the Holy Trinity of Louisiana cooking) and a handful of spices before folding in rice. The rice achieves its “dirty” brown color from simmering in all that goodness and absorbing its deep flavor.
Traditional dirty rice is made with finely diced or ground chicken livers added to spicy pork or ground beef or both. The chicken livers are used to bring a full-bodied richness to the dish and almost act like a binder to hold it all together.
But not all dirty rice has to be made that way to achieve a delicious, rich flavor… or to be authentic. And I’ll be honest. Liver of any sort just isn’t my bag. Not even a little bit. So you will find livers conspicuously missing from this recipe.
Instead, my family uses (and always has) a little bacon grease and flour. This adds a ton of just the right kind of full flavor we all crave from Dirty Rice and acts as a perfect binder at the same time. For a little extra Louisiana flair, oysters can be added to this recipe too!
10 Minute Dirty Rice?! I’m in!
FAQ
Where did the name dirty rice come from?
What’s the difference between dirty rice and jambalaya rice?
What’s the difference between Rice Dressing and dirty rice?
Is dirty rice a meal by itself?
What is Dirty Rice?
Dirty rice is a traditional Louisiana Creole dish made from white rice which gets a “dirty” color from being cooked with small pieces of pork, beef or chicken, green bell pepper, celery, and onion, and spiced with cayenne and black pepper. Parsley and chopped green onions are common garnishes.
Why is dirty rice called Cajun rice?
Dirty rice is frequently referred to as Cajun Rice in Louisiana and other parts of the South due to the dish’s history with the Acadian immigrants of Louisiana. Cajun rice typically incorporates Andouille sausage, bell pepper, celery, and onions along with a blend of traditional Cajun spices.
What is Louisiana Dirty Rice?
A true southern side dish, Louisiana Dirty Rice is filled with sausage, ground beef, bell pepper, onion, celery & spices. Also perfect as a dressing or stuffing for chicken, turkey or quail. In a large skillet, heat bacon grease or cooking oil. Add ground beef and sausage and brown. As meat begins to brown, add diced bell pepper, onion and celery.
What does dirty rice taste like?
The rice achieves its “dirty” brown color from simmering in all that goodness and absorbing its deep flavor. Traditional dirty rice is made with finely diced or ground chicken livers added to spicy pork or ground beef or both.