Description
Dirty Rice with Ground Beef is a quick and flavorful Southern-inspired dish featuring lean ground beef, aromatic vegetables, fluffy long-grain white rice, and bold Cajun spices. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights and offers a comforting, budget-friendly option the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Grains
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Liquids
- 2 cups chicken broth
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Chop the onions, bell peppers, and garlic finely to ensure even cooking and full flavor distribution throughout the dish.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Cook until nicely browned, breaking it apart with a spatula for uniform texture. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Sauté the Vegetables: To the beef, add chopped onions, bell peppers, and garlic. Cook until the vegetables soften and become fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Spices and Rice: Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper, then stir to coat evenly. Stir in the uncooked rice, letting it toast slightly to absorb the flavors.
- Pour in Broth and Simmer: Pour chicken broth into the skillet, give everything a good stir, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Finish and Garnish: Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork and sprinkle chopped green onions on top before serving for a fresh, vibrant touch.
Notes
- Use Fresh Spices: Fresh Cajun seasoning boosts flavor dramatically compared to old, stale spices.
- Don’t Skip Browning: Properly browning the beef adds depth and texture to the dish.
- Cover While Cooking: Keeping the skillet covered helps the rice cook evenly and absorb maximum flavor.
- Stir Occasionally: Gently stir the rice midway through simmering to prevent sticking and burning on the bottom.
- Adjust Heat Levels: Start with less cayenne and add more after tasting to control spiciness perfectly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Dirty Rice, Ground Beef, Southern Cuisine, Cajun Recipe, One-Pot Meal, Quick Dinner, Gluten Free