Cajun Dirty Rice Ground Beef (Print Page)

A Southern-style dish blending ground beef, spices, and vegetables for a bold and hearty meal.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 10 oz ground beef, lean or regular

→ Vegetables

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

→ Rice & Broth

06 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
07 - 2 cups chicken broth, low sodium preferred

→ Spices & Seasoning

08 - 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Oils & Garnish

14 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 2 spring onions, sliced

# Directions:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
02 - Add ground beef and cook for approximately 5 minutes, breaking apart with a wooden spoon until evenly browned. Drain excess fat if desired.
03 - Add chopped onion, celery, and green bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until vegetables begin to soften and release moisture.
04 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
05 - Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper over the beef and vegetables. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute spices.
06 - Add uncooked rice to the skillet and stir constantly for 2 minutes to lightly toast the grains and enhance nutty flavor.
07 - Pour in chicken broth while scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan with your spoon. Bring mixture to a rolling boil.
08 - Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid has been completely absorbed.
09 - Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes to allow moisture to redistribute. Uncover and fluff rice with a fork.
10 - Transfer to a serving dish and top generously with chopped fresh parsley and sliced spring onions. Serve hot as a main course or side dish.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The ground beef creates these incredible little flavor pockets throughout the rice that make every bite interesting
  • It is a complete meal in one pot but somehow feels fancy enough for guests
  • The spices build this warming heat that sneaks up on you without being overwhelming
02 -
  • Cajun seasoning brands vary wildly in salt content, so always start with less salt than you think you need
  • The rice truly needs that full 5 minute resting period covered or it will turn gummy and disappointing
  • Toasting the rice before adding liquid is the secret step most people skip but it makes such a difference in texture
03 -
  • Use a heavy bottomed pot or Dutch oven to prevent scorching on the bottom during the simmer phase
  • If your rice is still crunchy after 20 minutes, add 2 tablespoons of broth and cook 5 more minutes covered

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