Dirty Cajun Rice

Unleash bold Southern flavors with this Dirty Cajun Rice recipe—a hearty, one-skillet dish bursting with the soulful essence of Louisiana. Made with fluffy long-grain white rice, tender ground beef, and flavorful chicken livers, this recipe is elevated by the aromatic "holy trinity" of onion, green bell pepper, and celery. A generous blend of Cajun seasoning, smoky paprika, and thyme infuses every bite with spice and depth, while scallion garnishes provide a pop of freshness. Perfect as a standalone meal or a robust side dish, this comforting rice recipe is easy to prepare in under an hour, making it a go-to for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings. Whether you're craving a taste of the Bayou or exploring new comfort food recipes, Dirty Cajun Rice is sure to satisfy.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups long-grain white rice
• 3 cups water
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 0.5 pounds ground beef
• 0.5 pounds chicken livers, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 scallions, sliced thinly (optional garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15-18 minutes or until tender. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

Step 3

While the rice is cooking, heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery to the skillet. Saute for 5-6 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Step 5

Add the ground beef and chopped chicken livers to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula, until both are browned and fully cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.

Step 6

Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning, paprika, dried thyme, and ground black pepper over the meat and vegetables. Stir well to coat everything evenly with the spices.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and fold the cooked rice into the skillet mixture. Mix until the rice absorbs all the flavors and is evenly distributed, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more Cajun seasoning or salt to your preference.

Step 9

Remove the skillet from heat. Garnish with sliced scallions if desired.

Step 10

Serve hot as a side dish or a satisfying main meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1894.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1746.4

Total Fat 92.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 1470.7mg	0%
Sodium 4489.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 112.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.8g	0%
Total Sugars 7.7g
Protein 114.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 256.3mg	0%
Iron 30.6mg	0%
Potassium 2071.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 48.0%

Protein: 26.3%

Carbs: 25.7%