Dirty Rice with Ground Beef

Some dinners are added to the family recipe collection because they are cheap, filling and flavorful. Dirty rice and ground beef is the kind of meal where you go. From everyday pantry staples, fluffy rice, savory ground beef and familiar flavors of cajun inspired seasoning make this Southern style favorite a hearty dinner without hours in the kitchen.Make a skillet of dirty rice for the first time and you’ll understand why it’s such a tried and true comfort food. The beef browns beautifully, the seasonings warm each bite and the rice soaks up all those lovely savory flavors. And it all cooks in one pan, making for less cleanup after dinner and more time to enjoy the meal.Dirty Rice in Louisiana is typically made with chicken liver or other ground meats, but this ground beef version is an easy, family-friendly choice. It’s true to the spirit of the original dish, but with ingredients you probably have on hand. Serve it as a main dish on a weeknight, bring it to a potluck, or make a batch for lunches during the week.Reasons You’ll Love This Dirty Rice RecipeGround Beef and Rice is a great meal, filling and budget friendly ingredients that won’t break the bank at the grocery store.Deep savory flavor: The cajun seasonings add depth and warmth to each bite.One-pan ease: Make the beef, rice and aromatics in one pan for easy cleanup.Customizable: Adjust the heat and spices to suit your family.Great for leftovers The flavors hold up well, making this a great recipe for meal prep.Ingredients (What You’ll Need)1 lb. lean ground beef: This adds a good savory base, and makes the rice a filling enough dinner.1 cup long grain white rice: Helps create a fluffy texture and absorbs the beef broth and seasonings.1 small yellow onion, diced: For sweetness and flavor as it simmers down in the skillet.1 green bell pepper, diced – for a little classic southern style flavor and a little freshness.2 cups beef broth: This is what cooks the rice and makes it more tasty.2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning: This is what gives this dish its signature Louisiana flavor. If you want more control over how much seasoning you add, go for a salt-free blend.2 minced garlic cloves – another layer of savory flavor.1 tbsp oil (vegetable, optional) This will help to soften the vegetables in case the beef doesn’t render enough fat.The base is rice, beef and vegetables but the cajun seasoning and garlic really make this dish taste good. Just add a little more black pepper or cayenne to make your dinner a bit spicier.Dirty Rice and Beef Casserole RecipeStep 1: Cook the ground beef.Place a large deep frying pan or Dutch oven on medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Sear the meat. Cook until no longer red.If the beef is fatty, remove the excess fat before proceeding. Leave a little in the pan to help cook the vegetables and give the dish flavor.Step 2: Prepare the vegetablesAdd chopped onion and green pepper to pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 4 to 5 minutes.Add the minced garlic and Cajun seasoning and mix. Cook 30 seconds more, or until fragrant. This fast step helps the seasonings adhere evenly to the beef and veggies.Step 3: Stir in the riceAdd the rice (uncooked) and stir for about a minute. Allow the grains to soak up some of that savory beef and vegetable goodness.Add the beef broth and mix everything together. Scrape the bottom of the pan gently to loosen any brown bits that may have formed while the beef was cooking.Step 4: Cook until the rice is cookedBring the broth to a low simmer. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, 18 to 22 minutes.Do not keep lifting the lid, the steam that escapes will stop the rice from cooking evenly. If rice needs a little more time, add a splash of broth or water, cover and cook until tender.Step 5: Fluff and serve 3.Remove skillet from heat; cover and let stand, about 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork and gently fold in beef and vegetables.Taste and correct seasoning if necessary. Serve warm, spooning the dirty rice into bowls.What goes with dirty rice?The dirty rice and ground beef is a hearty main, but you’ll want a few easy sides to round out the meal.Southern green beans: They are tender and mild, and go well with seasoned rice.Cornbread A slice of cornbread adds that down-home Southern supper feel to the meal.Collard Greens: A deep flavor that goes well with savory beef and Cajun seasoning.Broccoli, roasted. Simple veggie side, not much additional prep.Cucumber Tomato Salad A crisp fresh salad to go with the warmth of the rice.Buttermilk Biscuits: The side dish for an extra warm supper.If you’re feeding a hungry family, a skillet of dirty rice with cornbread and green beans makes an easy, filling meal.Tips for best resultUse long grain white rice. It usually cooks up to separate fluffy grains which are nice in this dish. Brown rice takes longer to cook and uses more liquid, so you’ll need to adjust the recipe accordingly.Brown the beef well. Brown the meat a little, then add the vegetables. Brown bits make for a more intense taste.Watch out for salt. The beef broth and the Cajun seasoning can be salty. Taste and add more salt if necessary.Close the lid. Rice is cooked in two ways, steam and water, so frequent stirring and uncovering can change the final texture.Turn down the heat. You can also use something like mild Cajun seasoning for a subtler flavor, or add a pinch of cayenne if you want some heat.Rest rice Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes so moisture can equalize and rice is easier to fluff.Leftovers – Storing and ReheatingTake the rice off the heat and let it cool slightly. Transfer the rice to shallow airtight containers. Refrigerate within 2 hours of making and use within 3-4 days.To reheat, place one serving in a microwave-safe dish with 1 tablespoon water or stock. Cover loosely and heat until piping hot throughout, stirring halfway through. Or heat in a pan over medium low heat with a little broth.Watch out for rice, because bacteria can multiply in it if you leave it at room temperature for too long after cooking. Don’t leave the dish out for long periods. Cool leftovers immediately and refrigerate.For longer storage freeze in individual portions in freezer safe containers up to three months for best quality. Keep thawed and refrigerated. Heat and serve.Frequently asked questionsDirty rice isn’t always prepared with ground beef.Dirty rice is a traditional Louisiana dish that typically includes chicken livers or other finely minced meat, rice, vegetables and seasonings. Ground beef is a convenient option for a filling, family-friendly meal.Ground turkey is a good alternative to ground beef. Yes.Yes. Ground turkey is a great alternative and has a little bit of a lighter flavor. Brown well, then add the vegetables and the rice.Yes, you can use the leftover cooked rice.Yes. Begin by browning the beef and vegetables. Add cooked rice and a little broth, stir it. Heat until all are hot hot hot. The rice is already cooked so you don’t have to spend forever simmering it, just add enough liquid to keep it moist.What can I do to make the rice taste better?Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, a little extra Cajun seasoning or finely diced jalapeño when cooking the vegetables. Don’t overfill the pan with beef and rice. Gradually bring the heat up.Why is my rice not fluffy?Rice can get mushy if you stir it too much, or cook it too much, or add too much liquid. Measure the broth precisely, keep the lid on while it cooks and check the rice toward the end of the suggested cooking time.A Southern Meal You Will Want to Make AgainDirty Rice with Ground Beef is proof how a few simple ingredients can come together to make a meal full of comforting flavor. One pan of tender rice, sweet onion, green bell pepper and seasoned beef makes a practical, yet satisfying meal.Serve it with cornbread on a cool evening, make it for an easy weeknight dinner, or pack up the leftovers for lunch. This ground beef dirty rice is a go-to recipe to have in your family dinner rotation for easy prep and lots of savory