Hearty Beef Dirty Rice Dish (Print version)

A filling Cajun-style beef dirty rice made in one pot with ground beef, the holy trinity, warm spices, and fluffy long-grain rice.

# Ingredients:

For the beef and vegetables

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 lb (450 g) lean ground beef
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 celery ribs, diced
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

For the rice

08 - 1 1/2 cups (285 g) long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
09 - 2 3/4 cups (650 ml) low-sodium beef broth
10 - 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, preferably low-salt
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
14 - 1 bay leaf
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

For finishing

16 - 3 green onions, thinly sliced
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
18 - Hot sauce, for serving, optional

# Instructions:

01 - Rinse the rice in a fine-mesh strainer until the water runs mostly clear. Set it aside to drain while you start the beef.
02 - Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 7-9 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles, until browned and cooked through.
03 - Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and a small pinch of salt. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables soften.
04 - Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, cayenne, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, scraping the bottom of the pot.
05 - Add the rinsed rice, beef broth, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, stir once, cover tightly, and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 18-20 minutes, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
06 - Turn off the heat and let the pot rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove the bay leaf, fluff with a fork, then stir in green onions and parsley. Taste and adjust salt before serving with hot sauce.

# Good to know:

01 - Use regular long-grain rice, not instant rice.
02 - For a more traditional flavor, add 2 finely chopped chicken livers with the ground beef.
03 - Leftovers keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.

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