Description
Classic Southern Dirty Rice is a flavorful one-pot dish bursting with bold spices, tender meats, and vibrant vegetables. This authentic Southern staple is quick to prepare, wholesome, and perfect for any day of the week. With a balance of protein, grains, and veggies, it delivers hearty comfort food with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins
- 1 pound ground meat (beef, pork, or chicken)
- Optional: 4 ounces chicken livers, rinsed and diced
Grains
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup bell peppers (green or red), finely chopped
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Seasonings
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional, adjust to taste)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Chop the celery, bell pepper, onion, and garlic finely. If using chicken livers, rinse and dice them into small pieces so they cook evenly with the other ingredients.
- Brown the Meat and Chicken Livers: Heat a large skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and chicken livers, cooking until browned and fully cooked through, breaking meat apart to avoid clumps.
- Sauté the Veggies: Add the chopped celery, bell pepper, onion, and garlic to the meat mixture. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in Seasonings and Rice: Mix in Cajun seasoning and hot sauce to taste. Then add the uncooked white rice, stirring to coat every grain with the seasoning and oils.
- Cook the Rice: Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 18-20 minutes.
- Finish and Garnish: Fluff the rice with a fork, stir in fresh parsley for brightness, and adjust seasoning as needed before serving warm.
Notes
- Use fresh Cajun seasoning or homemade blends for the best flavor.
- Chicken broth adds depth to the dish; avoid substituting with water.
- Chop vegetables finely to ensure even cooking and integration.
- Simmer rice on low heat to prevent burning or sticking.
- Let the cooked rice rest for 5 minutes off the heat for fluffier texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Cooking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: Dirty Rice, Southern recipe, one-pot meal, Cajun, comfort food, gluten-free, spicy rice dish