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Classic Southern Dirty Rice – A Flavorful One-Pot Wonder

Classic Southern Dirty Rice – A Flavorful One-Pot Wonder
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Classic Southern Dirty Rice is a hearty, flavorful one-pot meal that combines ground meats, bold Cajun spices, and fluffy rice for an authentic Southern comfort food experience. Quick and easy to prepare, this dish is perfect for weeknight dinners or feeding a crowd, delivering rich layers of taste with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Meats

  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound chicken livers (optional), diced

Vegetables and Herbs

  • 1 cup chopped onions
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup chopped bell peppers
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions (scallions)

Grains and Liquids

  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain white rice
  • 3 cups chicken broth

Spices

  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (blend of paprika, cayenne, thyme, and other spices)

Instructions

  1. Prep Your Ingredients: Chop onions, celery, bell peppers, garlic, parsley, and green onions finely to ensure even cooking and flavor distribution throughout the dish.
  2. Cook the Meat and Chicken Livers: In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the ground pork and beef until browned. If using chicken livers, add them diced and cook until no longer pink, stirring frequently to avoid overcooking.
  3. Sauté the “Holy Trinity”: Add chopped onions, celery, and bell peppers to the skillet with the meat mixture. Cook until veggies soften, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in minced garlic and your Cajun seasoning blend, cooking for another minute until fragrant to toast the spices and enhance their flavor.
  5. Incorporate Rice and Broth: Mix in uncooked white rice, stirring to coat every grain with the savory mixture. Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet.
  6. Simmer Until Tender: Allow the rice to simmer gently for about 20 minutes until fully cooked and liquid absorbed. Avoid lifting the lid to keep the steam trapped for perfect cooking.
  7. Finish with Fresh Herbs: Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in chopped parsley and green onions for a fresh burst of flavor and color.

Notes

  • Use day-old rice for less mushy texture when making variations.
  • Don’t skip the holy trinity of onions, celery, and bell peppers for authentic flavor.
  • Adjust the Cajun seasoning gradually to balance the spice level according to preference.
  • For newcomers, cook chicken livers separately and add at the end to better control texture and flavor intensity.
  • Let the rice rest covered off heat for 5 minutes after cooking to finish steaming and deepen flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: Dirty Rice, Southern Recipe, Cajun Rice, One-Pot Meal, Comfort Food, Gluten-Free, Ground Meat Recipe, Southern Cuisine

Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/classic-southern-dirty-rice-a-flavorful-one-pot-wonder/