Dirty Rice with Ground Beef

A flavorful Cajun-inspired dish with ground beef, rice, and the “holy trinity” of onions, bell peppers, and celery. Spicy, savory, and satisfying!

Servings: 6 | Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Ground beef – 1 lb (or a mix of beef and pork)
White rice – 1 ½ cups (uncooked)
Chicken broth – 3 cups (or water + bouillon)
Onion – 1 medium, diced
Green bell pepper – 1, diced
Celery – 2 stalks, diced
Garlic – 3 cloves, minced
Green onions – 3, sliced (for garnish)
Worcestershire sauce – 1 tbsp
Cajun seasoning – 1 ½ tsp (or to taste)
Dried thyme – ½ tsp
Bay leaf – 1
Hot sauce – ½ tsp (optional)
Oil or butter – 2 tbsp
Salt & black pepper – to taste

Instructions:

Cook the Rice:
- Rinse rice until water runs clear.
- In a pot, bring chicken broth to a boil, add rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 mins (or follow package instructions). Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Brown the Beef:
- Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces. Drain excess fat if needed.
Sauté the Veggies:
- In the same skillet, add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Cook for 4-5 mins until softened.
Season & Simmer:
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning, thyme, bay leaf, hot sauce, salt, and pepper.
- Cook for 1-2 mins to let flavors meld.
Combine with Rice:
- Add the cooked rice to the skillet and mix well. Cook for 3-4 mins to let the rice soak up the flavors.
- Remove the bay leaf, adjust seasoning if needed, and garnish with green onions.
Serve Hot!
- Great as a main dish or side. Pairs well with cornbread or a simple green salad.

Tips:

✅ For extra richness, use beef liver or chicken livers (finely chopped) for authentic dirty rice.
✅ Spice level? Adjust Cajun seasoning and hot sauce to taste.
✅ Make ahead? Tastes even better the next day! Reheat with a splash of broth.

Would you like a slow cooker version or a spicier Creole twist? Let me know! 😊