Cajun Dirty Rice Ground Beef (Printable)

A savory dish blending ground beef, vegetables, and Cajun spices for a robust and satisfying meal.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 10 oz ground beef, lean or regular

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
04 - 1 small green bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Rice & Broth

06 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
07 - 2 cups chicken broth, low sodium preferred

→ Spices & Seasoning

08 - 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
11 - 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Oils & Garnish

14 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
16 - 2 spring onions, sliced

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
02 - Add ground beef to the hot pan, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for approximately 5 minutes until thoroughly browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add chopped onion, celery, and green bell pepper to the beef. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until vegetables are softened and translucent.
04 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
05 - Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper over the meat and vegetables. Stir thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.
06 - Add uncooked rice to the skillet, stirring constantly for 2 minutes to lightly toast the grains and enhance flavor.
07 - Pour in chicken broth, using your spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
08 - Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes until rice is tender and all liquid has been absorbed.
09 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes to allow rice to settle. Fluff gently with a fork before serving.
10 - Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and sliced spring onions. Serve hot as a main dish or alongside roasted meats and vegetables.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It transforms humble ingredients into something deeply satisfying and surprisingly complex
  • The whole dish comes together in one pan, leaving you with minimal cleanup but maximum flavor
  • Its naturally dairy-free and easily adaptable to whatever protein you have in your fridge
02 -
  • Resist the urge to peek while the rice simmers, every time you lift that lid you're letting out precious steam and extending the cooking time
  • The resting period isn't optional, it's when the rice finishes cooking and redistributes moisture for perfect texture
  • If your rice is still crunchy after the simmer time, add 2 tablespoons of broth and cook for 5 more minutes covered
03 -
  • Chop your vegetables uniformly so they cook evenly and no one gets a surprising crunch of raw onion
  • Use a paper towel to blot the ground beef after draining, removing excess oil without losing the flavorful browned bits
  • If your rice comes out too wet, leave the lid off for the last 5 minutes of cooking to let some steam escape

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