Cajun Dirty Rice Beef Peppers (Printable)
Savory blend of spiced beef, peppers, and fluffy rice with classic Cajun seasonings and aromatic herbs.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef, 85% lean preferred
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 green onions, sliced for garnish
→ Rice
08 - 1½ cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
→ Liquids
09 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - ½ teaspoon salt
15 - ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
16 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
→ Herbs
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
# How to Make:
01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
02 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add onion, bell peppers, and celery to the skillet. Sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
04 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
05 - Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, thyme, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper over the meat and vegetables. Stir thoroughly to coat evenly.
06 - Add rinsed rice to the skillet and stir to combine. Allow rice to toast lightly for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Pour in chicken broth and bring mixture to a rolling boil.
08 - Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid has been fully absorbed.
09 - Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork, garnish with green onions and parsley, and serve hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The rice absorbs every bit of flavor from the beef and spices, creating layers of taste in every single spoonful
- It comes together in one pan and feeds a crowd without breaking the bank or your schedule
02 -
- Don't skip rinsing the rice or you'll end up with gummy dirty rice instead of fluffy distinct grains
- Letting the rice toast in the spices before adding liquid makes all the difference between good and great
03 -
- Make your own Cajun seasoning by mixing equal parts paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano with some black pepper and cayenne
- Leftovers actually taste better the next day so don't be afraid to double the batch