Dirty Rice with Ground Beef

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A hearty, flavorful one-pan meal with seasoned ground beef, rice, peppers, onion, and Cajun-style spices.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • ½ red bell pepper, chopped
  • ½ yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼–½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh parsley or extra green onions for garnish

Instructions

  1. Brown the beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it into small pieces, until browned. Drain excess grease if necessary.
  2. Cook the vegetables: Add the onion and bell peppers. Cook for about 4–5 minutes until slightly softened. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
  3. Season: Add Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and a little salt. Stir well so the beef is evenly coated.
  4. Add the rice: Stir the uncooked rice into the beef mixture and cook for about 1 minute to lightly toast it.
  5. Add broth: Pour in the beef broth and stir. Bring everything to a gentle boil.
  6. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid. Avoid stirring too often while it cooks.
  7. Finish: Remove from the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and fold in the sliced green onions.
  8. Serve: Garnish with parsley or more green onions and serve warm.

Cooking Tip

For an even richer dirty-rice flavor, add ½ cup finely chopped celery with the onion and peppers. You can also use half ground beef and half sausage for a spicier version.

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4–6

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