Cajun Dirty Rice Beef Peppers (Printable View)

Bold Southern dish featuring spiced beef, peppers, aromatic veggies, and fluffy rice with classic Cajun flavors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb 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 tbsp Cajun seasoning
11 - 1 tsp dried thyme
12 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
13 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
14 - ½ tsp salt (to taste)
15 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
16 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil

→ Herbs

17 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
02 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (5–7 minutes). Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add onion, bell peppers, and celery. Sauté for 6–8 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Sprinkle in Cajun seasoning, thyme, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and cayenne. Stir well to coat.
06 - Add rinsed rice and stir to combine, letting it toast lightly for 1–2 minutes.
07 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
08 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
09 - Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
10 - Fluff rice with a fork, garnish with green onions and parsley, and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The way the spices bloom in the oil fills your entire kitchen with the most incredible aroma that makes everyone wander in asking whats for dinner
  • Its one of those rare dishes that actually tastes better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that rinsing your rice until the water runs clear is the difference between fluffy grains and a gummy mess
  • Letting the rice toast in the spices for those extra minutes adds a depth of flavor that most people skip but really notice
03 -
  • Make your own Cajun seasoning with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and thyme to control exactly whats in it
  • The dish actually tastes better the next day, so consider making it ahead and reheating gently with a splash of broth

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