Cajun Dirty Rice Beef Peppers (Printable version)

A Southern classic featuring aromatic rice, savory beef, vibrant bell peppers, and bold Cajun spices.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 14 oz lean ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced for garnish

→ Rice & Staples

08 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
09 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil

→ Seasonings & Herbs

11 - 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - ½ tsp dried thyme
14 - ½ tsp dried oregano
15 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
16 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
17 - 1 tsp kosher salt
18 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
02 - Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add the onion, green and red bell peppers, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, black pepper, cayenne, and salt. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add the rinsed rice and stir to coat with the spices and vegetables.
06 - Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
07 - Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
09 - Garnish with fresh parsley and spring onions. Serve hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan so you spend less time washing dishes and more time eating
  • The aromatics fill your entire kitchen with the kind of cozy smell that makes people wander in asking what's for dinner
  • It's forgiving enough for beginners but impressive enough to serve guests
02 -
  • Don't skip the rice rinsing step or you'll end up with gummy, clumpy rice instead of fluffy separate grains
  • Keep the lid on during simmering, lifting it releases steam and can lead to unevenly cooked rice
03 -
  • A heavy Dutch oven or cast iron skillet distributes heat more evenly than thin pans, giving you better rice texture
  • Toast your spices in a dry pan for 30 seconds before adding them to develop even more flavor

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