Dirty Rice Recipe (Get One More Recipe As Bonus)

Hi, Austin Carter today from Beyond The Bayou Blog is going to represent a unique yet delicious recipe in front of you. The dish originated in Louisiana, USA. It was created by African American cooks who used leftover meat and vegetables to flavor rice, giving it a “dirty” appearance: Dirty Rice Recipe.

Once I was invited to my friends’ house for dinner and had this recipe for the first time. She served this dish with Delicious Baked Stuffed Shrimp and Chicken Salad. Her mother told us that she got the recipe for this from a magazine and got the best results as we all really liked it. She gave me a quick brief of its ingredients and process and I just decided to give it a try soon. The Peach Pie Filling as a dessert made the meal wholesome and it was a wow experience for me that day.

So, here we are today trying this recipe as Dirty rice is a hearty dish that provides a good source of carbohydrates from the rice, protein from the meat, and various vitamins and minerals from the vegetables. Let’s begin the game of recreating tasty recipes for you in just a few minutes.

What is dirty rice?

Dirty Rice, also known as “rice dressing,” is a traditional Louisiana rice meal that is known for its rich flavor. The recipe begins with the browning of spicy meats, followed by the addition of onion, bell pepper, celery (the Holy Trinity of Louisiana cookery), and a handful of spices, and finally, the rice is folded in. As a result of the rice being allowed to simmer in all of that goodness and absorbing its profound taste, the rice acquires its “dirty” brown hue. Serve this alongside some delicious pork or poultry.

Why You Must Try This Recipe?

• Great for Meal Planning: This dirty rice is perfect for leftovers. It packs up easily and has everything you need for a meal on the go. It’s great for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast (no judgment here). Enjoy it the next day and the day after that!
• So Flavorful: The mix of chicken base, bone broth, pork, beef, onion, pepper, garlic, chili powder, herbs, and rice makes this dish super delicious. It has a perfect kick of spice that keeps you coming back for more.
• Easy to Make: One-pot dishes are the best for simplicity. This Cajun dirty rice is cooked all in one pot. You might think you need to cook the meats separately, but just push the veggies to one side and cook the meat on the other. Then, stir it all together. Genius!
• Simple Ingredients: No fancy stuff is needed here. You can find everything for this dish at any grocery store, from the chicken base to the herbs. It’s also a great way to use up any veggies that might be going bad in your fridge.

Overview: How To Make Dirty Rice?

Step 1: Cook the Rice

• In a pot, combine 1 cup of rice, 1 1/2 cups of chicken stock or broth, and 1 bay leaf.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
• Remove the bay leaf and set the rice aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Gizzards

• Simmer 1 cup of chicken gizzards in water until they are tender.
• Once cooked, chop the gizzards into small pieces and set them aside.

Step 3: Brown the Meat

• In a large skillet, brown 1/2 lb of ground pork and 1/2 lb of ground beef.
• Add 1 lb of pureed chicken livers to the skillet.
• Season the mixture with 2 tsp of granulated garlic, 1 1/2 tsp of Creole seasoning, 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 tsp of minced fresh thyme, and 1 tsp of kosher salt.
• Cook until everything is well browned and set the mixture aside.

Step 4: Sauté the Vegetables

• In the same skillet, sauté 1/2 cup of diced green bell pepper, 1/2 cup of diced celery, 1 cup of diced onion, and 4 minced garlic cloves until they are soft and fragrant.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients

• In a large pot, combine the cooked rice, chopped gizzards, browned meat mixture, and sautéed vegetables.
• Add 4 tbsp of roux, 3 tbsp of butter, and 1 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce.
• Stir everything together until well combined.

Step 6: Adjust Seasonings

• Add hot sauce to taste, and 2 bunches of sliced green onions.
• Mix everything thoroughly, and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Try Some Other Rice Recipes!

• Cajun Rice 
• Kimchi Fried Rice
• Bomba Rice

Tips that Are Worth Mentioning!

1. Rice Cooking: Cook the rice in chicken broth with a bay leaf for added flavor. This creates a more aromatic base for your dirty rice.
2. Gizzard Preparation: Simmer the gizzards in stock until tender, then chop them up. This ensures they’re cooked through and adds a unique texture to the dish.
3. Meat Browning: When browning the pork and beef, ensure you achieve a nice caramelization for added depth of flavor. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper to enhance the taste.
4. Vegetable Sauteing: When sautéing the bell peppers, celery, onion, and garlic, aim for a slightly caramelized and softened texture. This brings out their natural sweetness and adds complexity to the dish.
5. Combining Ingredients: When combining the ground meat mixture, gizzards, rice, and spices, make sure to thoroughly mix everything together for an even distribution of flavors.
6. Rinse the Rice: Rinse the rice to get rid of the excess starch that can make it gummy.
7. Let it Rest: Before serving, let the rice sit for at least 10 minutes. This helps the flavorful liquids absorb, giving the rice the perfect texture.
8. Leftovers Taste Better: If you can, make this dirty rice a day ahead. The flavors blend together even more, making it taste even better!

What Can We Serve with Dirty Rice?

• Homemade Grilled Octopus
• Peel and Eat Shrimp
• Southern Cornbread 
• Roasted Vegetables

Manage Your Leftovers This Way!

1. Storing Dirty Rice:
   • Allow the dirty rice to cool completely before storing.
   • Transfer the cooled rice into an airtight container if you plan to refrigerate it.
   • For longer storage, portion the rice into freezer-proof containers or freezer zipper-top bags.
2. Refrigerating Dirty Rice:
   • Place the airtight container of dirty rice in the refrigerator.
   • Keep it refrigerated for 3 to 5 days.
3. Freezing Dirty Rice:
   • If freezing, ensure the rice is tightly sealed to prevent freezer burn.
   • Label the containers or bags with the date of freezing for easy tracking.
   • Store the rice in the freezer for up to 3 months.
4. Re-serving Dirty Rice:
   • To reheat refrigerated rice, simply scoop out the desired portion and heat it in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
   • For frozen rice, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight.
   • Reheat the thawed rice in the microwave or on the stovetop until piping hot.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! You can omit the meat and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add extra vegetables or tofu for protein.

Can I substitute chicken gizzards with another ingredient?

Yes, if you prefer, you can substitute chicken gizzards with chicken thighs or another protein of your choice for a different flavor and texture.

What Is the Difference Between Dirty Rice and Bojangles Dirty Rice?

Dirty rice is a classic Cajun dish made with rice, ground meat, and spices. Bojangles’ Dirty Rice, on the other hand, is a fast-food version that includes sausage, bell peppers, and their special seasoning blend. While both are flavorful, the homemade version often has more depth from fresh ingredients, whereas Bojangles offers a convenient and consistent taste with a unique fast-food twist.