Cajun Dirty Rice Ground Beef (Printable version)

Spiced ground beef, bell peppers, and fluffy rice combine in this bold Southern-inspired dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef, 85% lean preferred

→ Vegetables

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

→ Rice

08 - 1½ cups long-grain white rice, rinsed

→ Liquids

09 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
11 - 1 tsp dried thyme
12 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
13 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
14 - ½ tsp salt
15 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
16 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil

→ Herbs

17 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
02 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add onion, green and red bell peppers, and celery. Sauté for 6–8 minutes until vegetables are softened.
04 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning, thyme, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne. Stir well to coat meat and vegetables.
06 - Add rinsed rice and stir to combine, letting rice toast lightly for 1–2 minutes.
07 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
08 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
09 - Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
10 - Fluff rice with a fork, garnish with green onions and parsley, and serve hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • One pot means maximum flavor with minimal cleanup
  • The holy trinity of onion, celery, and bell pepper builds layers of savory depth
  • Perfect for feeding a crowd on a weeknight without breaking the bank
02 -
  • Rinsing the rice until the water runs clear is the difference between fluffy grains and a sticky mess
  • Letting the pot rest off the heat is not optional, the rice finishes cooking in its own steam
03 -
  • Let your vegetables soften completely before adding spices so they do not burn
  • Invest in a good Cajun seasoning blend or make your own with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano

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