Dirty Rice with Ground Beef
Dirty Rice with Ground Beef is a hearty, flavorful Southern-inspired comfort food made with seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, vegetables, and aromatic Cajun spices. The beef gives the rice a rich, savory flavor, while onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic create a delicious base. Everything cooks together in one skillet, making this an easy and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice
- 2½ cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Directions
1. Brown the Ground Beef
Heat a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Continue cooking until the beef is browned and no longer pink. If there is a large amount of excess grease, carefully drain some of it, leaving a little behind for flavor.
2. Cook the Vegetables
Add the olive oil or butter if needed, followed by the diced onion, bell pepper, and celery.
Cook for approximately 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds, until fragrant.
3. Season Everything
Add the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using.
Stir well so the spices coat the beef and vegetables. Cook for about 30 seconds to bring out the flavor of the seasonings.
4. Add the Rice
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs mostly clear. Add the rice to the skillet and stir it into the beef and vegetable mixture.
Cook for about 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently. Lightly toasting the rice helps give the finished dish a better texture and deeper flavor.
5. Add the Broth
Pour in the beef or chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce. Add the bay leaf and stir everything together.
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
6. Simmer
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet tightly with a lid.
Let the rice simmer for approximately 18–22 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed the liquid and is tender.
Avoid lifting the lid too often while the rice cooks because escaping steam can affect the cooking process.
7. Rest the Rice
Turn off the heat and leave the skillet covered for another 5–10 minutes. This allows the remaining steam to finish cooking the rice and helps keep the grains fluffy.
Remove the bay leaf and gently fluff the rice with a fork.
8. Garnish and Serve
Stir in the chopped parsley and sliced green onions. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Serve the Dirty Rice hot as a main dish or alongside fried chicken, grilled meats, roasted vegetables, or cornbread.
Tips for the Best Dirty Rice
For the best texture, use long-grain white rice and avoid stirring the rice repeatedly while it cooks. Too much stirring can release starch and make the finished dish sticky.
You can make this recipe even more flavorful by adding finely chopped smoked sausage, Andouille sausage, or ground pork along with the beef. For extra heat, increase the Cajun seasoning or add a little hot sauce.
If the rice seems slightly dry before it is fully tender, add a few tablespoons of warm broth, cover, and continue cooking until done.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of broth or water to restore moisture.
Meta Description
Make flavorful Dirty Rice with Ground Beef in one skillet! This hearty Southern-inspired recipe combines seasoned beef, rice, vegetables, and Cajun spices.