Quick and Tasty Dirty Rice with Ground Beef Recipe
This quick and tasty dirty rice recipe features flavorful ground beef combined with sautéed vegetables, Cajun seasoning, and cooked rice. It’s a one-skillet meal that’s perfect for a simple, hearty dinner with a bit of a spicy kick. The dish comes together in under 30 minutes and is garnished with fresh parsley and green onions for an extra burst of freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Rice
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups cooked white rice
Vegetables
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- 1 stalk celery, diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Liquids
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 0.25 cup chicken broth or water
- Optional: a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prep the Vegetables: Dice the green and red bell peppers, celery stalk, onion, and mince the garlic cloves. If you haven’t done so already, cook the white rice and allow it to cool.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and allow it to brown undisturbed for 2–3 minutes, then break it up with a spoon and continue cooking until fully browned. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced onion, celery, and bell peppers to the browned beef. Sauté for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened. Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Season the Mixture: Stir in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. If you like your dish with some heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce. Mix thoroughly so the spices coat the meat and vegetables evenly.
- Combine Rice and Broth: Add the cooked white rice to the skillet. Pour in the chicken broth or water and stir everything together. Cook for another 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is heated through and the flavors meld.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs: Remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the dirty rice with sliced green onions and serve hot for a comforting, flavorful meal.
Notes
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils.
- Using day-old rice helps to prevent the mixture from becoming mushy.
- For extra depth, you can add a splash of Worcestershire sauce when seasoning.
- This dish keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheats nicely in a skillet or microwave.
- Adjust the spice level according to your preference by varying the amount of cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
Keywords: dirty rice recipe, ground beef dirty rice, Cajun rice, quick dirty rice, skillet dinner, spicy rice dish
