Description
Shortcut Dirty Rice is a flavorful Cajun-inspired one-pot meal featuring a savory blend of ground beef, sausage, vegetables, and Creole seasoning cooked together with rice. This hearty and comforting dish comes together quickly using pantry staples and is perfect for a satisfying family dinner that packs a punch of bold Southern flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 pound ground sausage (like Jimmy Dean or Tennessee Pride)
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 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
Pantry & Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon bacon grease (or neutral oil like vegetable oil) plus 1 additional tablespoon for cooking
- 1 teaspoon Creole or Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups converted or parboiled rice
- 3 1/2 cups beef broth
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat Fat: Heat 1 tablespoon of bacon grease or neutral oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid over medium heat to prepare the cooking base.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery to the skillet. Cook while stirring frequently until the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant but not browned, approximately 1 minute.
- Cook Meat: Add the ground beef and sausage to the skillet. Season lightly with Creole seasoning. Increase heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently and breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned, around 8 minutes. Optionally drain excess fat from the pan.
- Toast and Cook Rice: Stir in the uncooked rice to combine with the meat mixture, stirring frequently to toast the rice in the rendered fat for about 5 minutes. Gradually add the beef broth, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer Covered: Reduce heat to a simmer, cover tightly, and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and flavors meld.
- Adjust and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasoning with more Creole seasoning, salt, or pepper if desired. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
- Using parboiled or converted rice helps prevent mushy rice and keeps the dish fluffy.
- You can substitute sausage types or omit bacon grease and use vegetable oil for a lighter option.
- To add more heat, increase the Creole seasoning or mix in some cayenne pepper.
- Drain excess fat after cooking the meat for a less greasy dish.
- Covering the skillet or Dutch oven tightly while simmering ensures even cooking of rice and retains moisture.
