Description
This Shortcut Dirty Rice recipe is a flavorful and hearty one-pot dish featuring ground beef and sausage cooked with aromatic vegetables and Creole seasoning, combined with rice simmered in beef broth. Perfect for a satisfying meal served with a kick of Cajun flair, it’s easy to prepare and ready in under an hour, making it an ideal comfort food for any day of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Fats and Oils
- 1 tablespoon bacon grease (or another neutral oil like vegetable oil)
Vegetables
- 1 large yellow onion (diced – about 2 cups)
- 1 large green bell pepper (seeded and diced – about 1 cup)
- 2 ribs celery (diced – about 1/2 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 3 green onions (sliced thin)
Meats
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound ground sausage (like Jimmy Dean or Tennessee Pride)
Dry Ingredients and Spices
- 1 teaspoon Creole or Cajun seasoning (or more to taste)
- 2 cups converted or parboiled rice
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Liquids
- 3 1/2 cups beef broth
Instructions
- Heat Fats: Heat the bacon grease in a large skillet or large dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the vegetables and meats.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery to the skillet. Cook, stirring often, for about 3 minutes until the onions become translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute more until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Cook Meats: Add the ground beef and sausage to the skillet. Lightly season with Creole seasoning. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the meat starts to brown, approximately 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
- Toast Rice: Stir in the uncooked rice, mixing well with the meat and vegetables. Stir frequently for about 5 minutes to toast the rice in the rendered fat, enhancing its flavor.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Slowly pour in the beef broth, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the skillet tightly and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and all liquid is absorbed.
- Final Seasoning and Garnish: Adjust seasoning with more Creole seasoning, salt, or pepper if needed. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions before serving to add freshness and color.
Notes
- You can substitute bacon grease with a neutral oil like vegetable oil for a cleaner taste.
- Using parboiled or converted rice helps prevent mushiness by keeping the grains separate during cooking.
- Adjust the Creole seasoning according to your preferred spice level for a milder or spicier dish.
- Draining excess fat from the cooked meat reduces greasiness but can also remove some flavor; adjust to your taste.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure your beef broth and sausage are certified gluten-free.
