Cajun Dirty Rice Ground Beef (Printable)
Hearty Cajun-style rice with ground beef, vibrant veggies, and flavorful spices for easy weeknight meals.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 14 oz ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, finely diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 spring onions, sliced
→ Rice & Grains
07 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
→ Liquids
08 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
11 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
13 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
14 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
15 - 1/2 tsp salt
16 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
→ Garnishes
17 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
# Steps:
01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add onion, bell pepper, and celery to the pan. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
03 - Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir thoroughly to coat meat and vegetables evenly with spices.
04 - Add uncooked rice to the skillet and stir to combine with the beef and vegetable mixture. Let rice toast for 1–2 minutes to enhance flavor.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 18–20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid has been fully absorbed.
06 - Remove from heat. Fluff rice with a fork and stir in chopped parsley. Garnish with sliced spring onions and serve immediately while warm.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- It transforms everyday ground beef into something that tastes like it came from a Louisiana kitchen after hours of slow cooking
- The holy trinity of onion, celery, and bell pepper creates an aroma that will have your family gathered around the stove before dinner is even ready
02 -
- Do not lift the lid while the rice is simmering or you will let out the steam and the rice will not cook evenly
- Letting the rice sit covered for five minutes after cooking is the secret to fluffy, separate grains
03 -
- Double the recipe and freeze half for those nights when cooking feels impossible
- Mix your own Cajun seasoning in bulk and keep it in a jar so you are always ready to make this