Description
This Shortcut Dirty Rice recipe offers a flavorful and hearty take on a classic Cajun dish. Made quickly with ground beef, sausage, and aromatic vegetables simmered together with rice and Creole seasoning, it’s a perfect comforting meal that’s easy to prepare in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon bacon grease (or another neutral oil like vegetable oil)
- 1 large yellow onion (diced – about 2 cups)
- 1 large green bell pepper (seeded and diced – about 1 cup)
- 2 ribs celery (diced – about 1/2 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound ground sausage (like Jimmy Dean or Tennessee Pride)
- 1 teaspoon Creole or Cajun seasoning (or more to taste)
- 2 cups converted or parboiled rice
- 3 1/2 cups beef broth
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- 3 green onions (sliced thin, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the fat: Heat the bacon grease in a large skillet or large Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery to the skillet. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook the meat: Add the ground beef and sausage to the skillet. Lightly season with Creole seasoning. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the meat begins to brown, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
- Toast the rice: Stir in the uncooked rice to combine. Continue stirring frequently to toast the rice in the rendered fat for about 5 minutes.
- Add broth and simmer: Slowly pour in the beef broth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover tightly. Let the mixture simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender.
- Final seasoning and garnish: Adjust seasoning with additional Creole seasoning, salt, or pepper as needed. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the bacon grease with vegetable or canola oil for a milder flavor.
- Using converted or parboiled rice ensures the rice cooks perfectly without becoming mushy.
- For extra spice, add hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the seasoning.
- Drain the fat after browning the meat to reduce grease and calories.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for 3-4 days and reheat nicely in a skillet or microwave.
