Mom's Dirty Rice

Savor the bold, comforting flavors of Mom's Dirty Rice, a Louisiana-inspired classic that transforms everyday ingredients into a soul-satisfying dish. This hearty recipe features perfectly cooked long-grain white rice blended with a savory mix of ground beef, pork sausage, and optional chicken livers for added depth. Brightly seasoned with Cajun spices, paprika, and thyme, and loaded with the holy trinity of Southern cooking—onion, bell pepper, and celery—this one-pot wonder delivers layers of rich, smoky flavor. It’s an easy 50-minute meal made for sharing, complete with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Whether you're feeding a crowd or craving authentic Southern comfort food, Mom's Dirty Rice is the ultimate go-to recipe for a satisfying, flavor-packed dinner.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups long-grain white rice
• 4 cups water
• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 pound ground pork sausage
• 0.25 pound chicken livers (optional, finely chopped)
• 1 whole yellow onion (diced)
• 1 whole green bell pepper (diced)
• 2 whole celery stalks (diced)
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, combine the rice and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef, pork sausage, and chicken livers (if using). Cook, breaking the meat up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess grease, if needed.

Step 3

Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and celery to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

Sprinkle the mixture with Cajun seasoning, paprika, dry thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to evenly coat the meat and vegetables with the spices.

Step 5

Lower the heat to medium-low and gently fold the cooked rice into the skillet. Mix everything together thoroughly, ensuring the rice is well-incorporated with the meat and vegetable mixture.

Step 6

Continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your Mom's Dirty Rice while hot!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2604.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2823.5

Total Fat 181.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 61.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 857.8mg	0%
Sodium 6153.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 148.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.7g	0%
Total Sugars 13.2g
Protein 153.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 289.0mg	0%
Iron 27.2mg	0%
Potassium 2289.8mg	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: 57.5%

Protein: 21.6%

Carbs: 20.9%