This cajun dirty rice recipe is a hearty, savory, and FAST one pot meal that my family loves. I first tried the recipe DirtE Rice from the Coers Family blog. Oh. My. Word.
Although I really adore ethnic recipes, I’ve never really tried my hand at Cajun food. Well, I’m sold. My whole family loves this one.
Full Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Disclosure Page
To make it an even quicker dish, and to take the edge off of the heat, I use beef sausage. It’s precooked and it lends a little more fat and flavor. Fat tames back heat in recipes, and I cut back the Cajun seasoning a bit for the spice challenged in my crew and serve red pepper on the side for the spicy red-bearded Viking man that I married.
[bctt tweet=”To make dirty rice even quicker, & to take the edge off of the heat, use beef sausage. #THM #recipe”]
If you’re a Trim Healthy Mama, this dish ranks as a crossover. If you want to create a slimming E meal, then use a ground turkey or chicken breast that’s 97-99% fat free like the Coers family recipe recommends.
In fact, next time I make this, (which will be this week) I might use half of a pound of chicken breast and just serve my bowl without any sausage rounds to keep myself in E territory, and to boost the protein power of the dish a little further.
Speedy Dinner Tips:pre-chopped big batches of celery, peppers, and onions and freeze flat on a cookie sheet, then dump into a bag in the freezer. Youcan just grab a handful when youneed them f0r recipes!
I also plan a dish that includes brown rice earlier in the week and make extra so I will have it ready to go on dirty rice night.
To make this recipe, you’ll need 2 cups of cooked brown rice, one package of sausage of your choice cut into rounds, 2 cans of red kidney beans, a splash or two of chicken broth, and chopped bell pepper (I used yellow), onion, celery, and garlic. I use Cajun seasoning, parsley, and a touch of smoked paprika to make the flavors pop.
I start by browning the rounds of sausage. Getting a nice brown sear on the bottom puts lots of flavor into the pot. Then I add my veggies, sauteing until almost soft. Finish it off by adding your pre-cooked rice, drained and rinsed beans, and spices. I like to add a shot or two of chicken broth at the end to make all those flavors marry up well together.
At my house, this is a one pot meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes. And with school starting and the fall weather on the way, it just feels like the right time to start getting out the big iron stew pot and start cranking out some quick savory meals.
[bctt tweet=”Dirty Rice is a one pot meal that comes together in less than 30 minutes. #THM #dinner”]
Thanks Coers family for the inspiration, and a new family favorite!
To Pin!
Quick Cajun Dirty Rice
This one pot Cajun rice & beans recipe is a fantastic quick meal that my whole family loves. It's a THM crossover with sausage, but you can keep it in E territory by using ground chicken breast instead.
Author: Gwen
Serves: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 package beef sausage, or sausage of your choice
- *or* 1 lb. 97-99% fat free ground turkey or chicken breast, or a combination of the sausage and ground meats.
- ½ cup diced bell pepper (I prefer the milder red or yellow)
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup diced celery
- 2 cans red beans, drained & rinsed
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- ¼ cup chicken broth or water
- 1 teaspoon (or up to 1 Tablespoon if you like things spicy) Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning- I love that it's MSG free!
- 2 tablespoons dry parsley
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Cut sausage into rounds.
- In a large pot or dutch oven, brown sausage rounds, stirring and flipping.
- As they cook down, add ground meat if using, and brown with the sausage.
- While meat is browning, dice veggies. Add to pot once your meat is cooked.
- Sautee veggies and meat until veggies are cooked and just tender.
- Add beans, rice, broth and spices.
- Stir to combine, and heat to serving temp.
- Enjoy!
Notes
THM Notes: To keep this in E territory, serve your bowl without sausage, and only use the lean ground meat as your protein. I like using both meats when I cook the dish, because the sausage adds so much flavor. If you enjoy this dish with the sausage, it's a healthy crossover.
Follow me on Pinterest andnever miss a recipe!
Follow Gwen’s Nest
Follow Gwen’s Nest’s board Gwen’s Nest Healthy Recipes on Pinterest.
FAQs
Dirty rice is frequently referred to as Cajun Rice in Louisiana and other parts of the South due to the dish's history with the Acadian immigrants of Louisiana. Cajun rice typically incorporates Andouille sausage, bell pepper, celery, and onions along with a blend of traditional Cajun spices.
What is a good side dish for Cajun dirty rice? ›
The best side dishes to serve with dirty rice are cornbread, fried okra, stuffed peppers, turkey meatballs, roasted duck, short ribs, Chicken Cacciatore, Southern green beans, tomato and cucumber salad, red beans and rice, coleslaw, and hush puppies.
How do you cook zatarain's dirty rice in the microwave? ›
Microwave on MEDIUM (50% power) 16 minutes or until rice is tender, stirring occasionally. Let stand in microwave 5 minutes. Fluff with fork before serving. Microwave ovens vary; adjust cooking times as needed.
What protein goes with dirty rice? ›
In conclusion, dirty rice is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of proteins, each bringing its unique flavor and texture to the table. Whether it's chicken, shrimp, andouille sausage, beans, or tofu, there's a protein for every preference.
What are 3 main differences between Cajun and Creole foods? ›
While they are very similar, they do utilize different ingredients. Cajun food is typically spicier than Creole food, and it also contains more pork and crawfish. Creole food utilizes more ingredients like tomatoes, shrimp, oysters, and crab.
What is Popeyes dirty rice made of? ›
"A combination of breakfast sausage and rice cooked in chicken broth. Popeye's is a Louisiana-based fried chicken restaurant chain. This recipe is from America's Most Wanted Recipes - Copycat Versions of Everyone's Best-Loved Food."
What are 3 traditionally Cajun meals? ›
7 Popular Cajun Cuisines You Need to Try
- Gumbo. Gumbo is one of the favorite stews among Cajun enthusiasts. ...
- Etouffee. A ubiquitous Cajun cuisine, etouffee is made using a popular cooking method known as smothering. ...
- Jambalaya. ...
- Crawfish Boil. ...
- Boudin Sausage. ...
- Alligator. ...
- Corn Maque Choux. ...
- Bottom-Line.
A flavorful Cajun-inspired rice dish mixed with sausage, spices, and vegetables.
What is the history of Cajun dirty rice? ›
The Origins of Dirty Rice
Dirty rice can be traced back to the plantation days of Louisiana. Those who had many people to feed but few resources to feed them all added what they could get to the white rice that was abundant - chicken livers, spices, vegetables - and the resulting dish would look "dirty."
How much water do you add to Zatarain's dirty rice? ›
Add onions, garlic and Zatarains rice mix, (12oz) and specified amount of water (3-1/2 cups).
Tasty Stuff! This Zatarain's Dirty Rice Mix is very easy to prepare and is very tasty too. It's got a bit of spice to it, which I love!
Does Zatarain's dirty rice expire? ›
Unopened Zatarain's® Reduced Sodium Dirty Rice Mix packages are shelf stable and can be held for use for up to 450 days.
What vegetable goes well with dirty rice? ›
Serve: Garnish with green onion and parsley before serving this cajun rice. Dirty Rice is a hearty meal alone, but you could also serve it with a green salad, okra, Swiss chard, tomato cucumber salad, artisan bread or skillet cornbread.
What's the difference between dirty rice and jambalaya? ›
While both dishes share some common ingredients such as rice, onions, bell peppers, and Cajun spices, the key distinction lies in the protein components. Dirty rice typically features a combination of ground meat and chicken livers, while jambalaya often includes a mix of shrimp, chicken, and sausage.
Is dirty rice high in carbs? ›
Dirty Rice, Cajun Rice (1 cup) contains 38g total carbs, 37.4g net carbs, 9.7g fat, 11.2g protein, and 291 calories.
What is the origin of Louisiana dirty rice? ›
The Origins of Dirty Rice
Dirty rice can be traced back to the plantation days of Louisiana. Those who had many people to feed but few resources to feed them all added what they could get to the white rice that was abundant - chicken livers, spices, vegetables - and the resulting dish would look "dirty."
Is Creole the same as Cajun? ›
Today, common understanding holds that Cajuns are white and Creoles are Black or mixed race; Creoles are from New Orleans, while Cajuns populate the rural parts of South Louisiana. In fact, the two cultures are far more related—historically, geographically, and genealogically—than most people realize.
Is blackened food Cajun or Creole? ›
Blackening seasoning is a flavorful spice blend typically used in Cajun and Creole cuisines, particularly in dishes like blackened fish or blackened chicken. It originated in Louisiana and is known for its bold, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor profile.
This cajun dirty rice recipe is a hearty, savory, and FAST one pot meal that my family loves. I first tried the recipe DirtE Rice from the Coers Family blog. Oh. My. Word.
