Dirty Rice is a simple one pot meal made with rice, ground pork and Cajun spices. Perfect for Mardi Gras and busy weeknights throughout the year.
The recipe for this Cajun classic is based on one from Chef Paul Prudhomme's Louisiana Kitchen, reducing the fat a bit and omitting the chicken gizzards because no one in this house would touch it if they caught me adding those.
I added some ground chicken livers separately to my portion. You can omit them if you wish, but they are traditionally part of the dish.
All of Prudhomme's recipes mix the spices separately then add to the dish to allow you to adjust the ratio of spices before it is already in the pot. Of course, this was before his spice mixes came out. If you have Cajun Magic, or another Cajun spice you like feel free to substitute.
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler
Looking for more Cajun and Creole recipes for Mardi Gras? The #FromOurFamilyTable bloggers have some suggestions:
- Cajun Shrimp Bake by Making Miracles
- Dirty Rice by That Recipe
- King Cake Spritz Cookies by Karen's Kitchen Stories
- New Orleans Fried Oyster Salad by Art of Natural Living
- New Orleans Style Remoulade Sauce by Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Shrimp Étouffée by A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Vegan Jambalaya by Magical Ingredients
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Recipe
Ingredients
Seasoning Mix
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons ground red pepper (cayenne)
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Dirty Rice
- 2 tablespoons chicken fat (or olive or vegetable oil)
- ½ pound ground pork
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ cup onion (finely chopped)
- ½ cup celery (finely chopped)
- ½ cup bell pepper (finely chopped)
- 2 cups chicken stock
- ⅓ pound ground chicken livers (optional)
- ¾ cups white rice (uncooked)
Instructions
- Combine seasoning mix in a small bowl and set aside.
- Melt chicken fat in a large skillet over medium high heat and sauté pork and bay leaves until meat is browned , about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat to medium and add seasoning mix, onions, celery, peppers and garlic and cook until onion starts to become translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir constantly to prevent too much sticking.
- Add stock and loosen all of the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Add chicken livers and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add rice and stir. Reduce heat to low, cover pan and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and let rice sit, covered, for another 5-10 minutes until liquid is absorbed.
- Remove bay leaves and serve.
Notes
Until next time, happy eating.
~Audrey
Jocelyn@Brucrewlife
This dirty rice sounds delicious! I love a meal that comes together quickly and easily, but is still healthy!
Audrey
I am the same way! And throw it all in one pot to make clean up easy and it is even better.
Shannon
Cooks in one pot and is delicious? Sold. Actually, this is the first dirty rice recipe I've read. I love rice, but never pursued what dirty rice really meant. I think this sounds great!
Audrey
Dirty Rice is a Cajun classic! I hope you try it and enjoy it.
Nadia @ Mama and the City
Wow, pork and rice? I don't think I've ever eating it this way. Although, in Mexico we eat everything with rice, and we eat pork, so ... kind of, maybe, yes I have?
I'll be in the look out now.
Inger @ Art of Natural Living
OMG, looks so flavorful. I cannot wait to try this!
Albertina
Thank you for this amazing dirty rice recipe. I loved it!
Kathleen P
Love, love, loved this! And I even snuck in some chicken livers like you did! Nobody knew! Haha!
Audrey
Haha! Sometimes a mom has to do what a mom has to do.