Dirty Rice
Dirty rice is a traditional dish in Cajun and Creole cuisine, particularly popular in the Southern United States, especially in Louisiana. The dish is typically made with white rice cooked with a mixture of ingredients such as ground meat (often pork or chicken), onions, green bell peppers, celery, and seasonings like garlic, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
The name “dirty rice” comes from the appearance of the dish, which is speckled with the cooked bits of meat, vegetables, and seasonings, giving it a “dirty” or mottled look.
Dirty rice has roots in the culinary traditions of the African, French, and Spanish influences in Louisiana, particularly in the Creole and Cajun communities.
Ingredients
1 pound ground pork, ( you can also use chicken or beef)
1 onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
2-3 stalks of celery, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 cups cooked white rice
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Parsley for garnish
Instructions
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground pork over medium-high heat. Break it up into small pieces as it cooks.
Once the meat is browned, add the diced onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic to the skillet. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the Cajun seasoning, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
Add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir to combine with the meat and vegetables.
Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for another 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Taste the dirty rice and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Serve the dirty rice hot, garnished with chopped green onions and parsley.
Feel free to customize this recipe by adding other ingredients like diced tomatoes, hot sauce, or diced chicken livers for a more authentic flavor. Enjoy!
Thank you for trying this recipe. Please let me know how you liked it.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please take a look at other recipes on my fast, simple and good rice page.
Dirty Rice