Description
Shortcut Dirty Rice is a flavorful and hearty one-pot dish that combines ground beef, sausage, aromatic vegetables, and Creole seasoning with rice cooked in beef broth. This Southern-inspired comfort food is quick to prepare, making it an ideal weeknight meal that packs savory depth and a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Fats
- 1 tablespoon bacon grease (or neutral oil like vegetable oil)
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound ground sausage (such as Jimmy Dean or Tennessee Pride)
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
Dry and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Creole or Cajun seasoning (more to taste)
- 2 cups converted or parboiled rice
- 3 1/2 cups beef broth
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat fat: Heat the bacon grease or neutral oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat to prepare for sautéing the vegetables.
- Sauté vegetables: Add diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery to the hot fat. Cook while stirring frequently until onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook another minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn.
- Cook meat: Add ground beef and sausage to the skillet. Lightly season with Creole seasoning. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring often and breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until it begins to brown, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
- Toast rice: Stir in the uncooked parboiled rice, mixing well to coat it in the rendered fat and meat mixture. Continue stirring frequently to toast the rice for about 5 minutes, enhancing flavor.
- Simmer rice: Slowly pour in the beef broth while stirring. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Stir occasionally until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste and add more Creole seasoning, salt, or pepper if needed. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions before serving for added freshness and color.
Notes
- You can substitute ground pork sausage with any preferred sausage for different flavor profiles.
- Using parboiled rice helps the rice cook evenly without getting mushy.
- Feel free to adjust Creole seasoning quantity depending on your preferred spice level.
- Draining excess fat after browning the meat helps reduce greasiness but also removes some flavor—adjust as desired.
- This dish reheats well and can be a great make-ahead meal.
