Here’s a tasty and easy recipe for Dirty Rice with Ground Beef—a comforting, flavorful dish inspired by Cajun cuisine:
Ingredients (serves 3–4)
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups beef broth (or water with bouillon)
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme or oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil or butter
- Optional: chopped parsley or green onions for garnish
Method
- Cook the Rice:
- In a medium pot, bring beef broth to a boil.
- Add rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15–20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Cook the Beef and Vegetables:
- While rice is cooking, heat oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté onion, bell pepper, and celery until softened (about 5 minutes).
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
- Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned.
- Season the Mixture:
- Stir in smoked paprika, cayenne, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook 1–2 minutes for flavors to blend.
- Combine Rice and Beef:
- Add cooked rice to the skillet with beef and vegetables.
- Stir well to combine and heat through. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley or green onions if desired. Serve hot.
💡 Tips:
- For more authentic Cajun flavor, you can add hot sauce or a pinch of Cajun seasoning.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Leftovers reheat well and taste even better the next day!
If you like, I can also give a one-pot version of dirty rice that cooks everything together for less cleanup. Do you want me to share that?
