One-Pan Cajun Dirty Rice Recipe (Ready in 30 Minutes!)

If you’re in the mood for savoury, one-pan dirty rice, look no further! This delicious dirty rice recipe is just what you’ll want to chow down on. It’s ready in 30 minutes, so it’s great for a quick weeknight meal. It pairs perfectly with my Cast Iron Chicken Breast.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Fast: This dirty rice recipe only takes about 30 minutes to make, so you can enjoy the dish in no time! It’s as quick and easy as my Creamy Leftover Ham Pasta.
• Flavourful: You can expect bold flavours in each bite with ingredients like peppers, onion, fresh garlic, jalapeños, and Cajun seasoning. This is how to get the most flavour out of any dirty rice recipes. If you love the Cajun flavour, this Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta is a favourite.
• One pot: This Louisiana-inspired Cajun rice recipe is made in one pan for easy cleanup.

Satisfy any cravings for comforting meals with rice and try my Southwest Ground Turkey and Rice Skillet, Spicy Tomato Rice topped with Halloumi and One Pot Chicken & Rice.

Ingredients

Wondering how to make dirty rice that tastes amazing? It starts with a few simple staples.

• Jalapeños: These are added for a hotter flavour and enticing appearance. If you have a lower heat tolerance, you can use a smaller amount or omit the jalapeños altogether.
• Pork mince: I love adding pork mince to this dirty rice recipe, as it adds a good amount of flavour. If you prefer, you can use other types of mince, such as beef or chicken. You might also enjoy my Easy Ragu Bianco which uses beef mince.
• Rice: Traditionally, long-grain white rice is used to create cajun dirty rice. However, you can also use basmati rice or brown rice, if that’s what you have on hand. It’s a wonderful vessel for flavour, just like the rice in this Gochujang Fried Rice.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Variations/ Adaptations

Here are a few ways to make this cajun dirty rice recipe your own!

• Protein swap: Instead of using pork mince, consider using beef or chicken mince. This recipe for dirty rice can also be made traditional by including chicken gizzards, livers, and hearts. These swaps still keep the recipe budget-friendly like my Simple Pork Stroganoff Recipe.
• Veggie boost: Feel free to use anything from carrots to celery instead of or alongside the sweet peppers and onions. This recipe tastes great with nearly any vegetables, so toss in anything you need to use up. For another veggie-forward dish, try my Creamy Leek and Potato Soup.
• Vegan option: If you want a vegan version of this easy dirty rice recipe, swap out the meat for beans (pinto or black). These will still create a similar colour and add a yummy flavour to the rice.

How to make a One-Pan Dirty Rice recipe

1. Start by finely slicing the onions and garlic (Image 1).
2. Preheat a large non-stick frying pan with 1 tbsp oil over high heat. Add the mince, break apart roughly, and brown for 5 minutes, seasoning with salt and pepper (Image 2).

3. Next, break the mince apart properly, stir, and add the onion. Cook for 5 more minutes (Image 3).

4. Reducing the heat to medium/low then add the garlic, tomato puree, Cajun seasoning and peppers to cook for a further 2 minutes (Image 4). 

5. Now add the rinsed rice and mix together in the pan (Image 5).

6. Then add the chicken stock and stir together.  Place a lid on the pan and simmer on a low heat for around 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the rice isn’t sticking. Add more stock if the mixture becomes dry and ensure the rice has cooked through (Image 6). 

7. When the rice is cooked through, check for seasoning and add salt and pepper if necessary (Image 7).

8. Top with jalapeno slices and sprinkle a sprinkle of fresh chives (or coriander if you prefer). You can also serve with extra cheese as an optional side (Image 8).

For more pork mince recipes, check out Minced Pork Noodles, Creamy Tuscan Inspired Rigatoni, and Creamy Tuscan Gnocchi.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve this Louisiana dirty rice as a main or side dish, depending on your preference. It pairs well with items like BBQ chicken or pork, baked fish, jambalaya, or gumbo, or simply serve this dirty rice recipe with a tasty side dish/salad.

Try it with:

• Easy Skillet Roasted Corn 
• Simple Tricolore Salad
• Sauteed Broccoli
• Prawn Salad Recipe
• Easy Mexican Street Corn Off the Cob
• Baked Chicken and Cauliflower 
• Buttered Sauteed Leeks

What is Dirty Rice?

Dirty rice is a southern rice dish, specifically Louisiana Creole dish cuisine, which gets its name from its colour. As the uncooked rice simmers with meat, it turns a brown-grey (aka “dirty”) hue. You may also see this recipe called rice seasoning or rice dressing.

The origination of the dish is quite heartbreaking, as it was initially created when enslaved individuals needed to feed their families. They were given small meat scraps, which were added to rice, veg, and seasonings to help create a more filling recipe. These scraps were often the unwanted portions of meat, such as chicken gizzards and livers. This historical context is important, even when adapting a simple dirty rice recipe (UK version).

Traditional dirty rice recipes still use these meat bits to flavour the rice. You’ll also see the “Holy Trinity” used in traditional versions of this recipe, which includes a mixture of onions, celery, and green bell pepper. Because this dish is made entirely in one vessel like my Easy Chicken Spaghetti {with a Twist!}, it is often called one pot dirty rice.

Modern versions of dirty cajun rice use ground beef, pork, or chicken, or minced meat to create a similar flavour and colour. Even with the use of different protein, a dirty rice recipe (like this one) is still packed with flavour. Expect a smokey, spicy taste in each bite.

Leftover Storage and Reheat Instructions

• Refrigerator: Allow the homemade dirty rice to cool fully, then put it in an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to three days, packing it within two hours after cooking.
• Freezer: Can you freeze dirty rice? Technically yes, you can freeze this dirty rice recipe, but the cooked rice is likely to get a bit mushy. Once cooled, pack the rice in an airtight container or baggie, then freeze for 2-3 months.
• Reheat: To reheat, zap it in the microwave until it’s warmed. If it’s dry, add a small amount of water, beef broth, or chicken broth before reheating.