Mardi Gras Dirty Rice Beef (Print Version)
Hearty Cajun-style rice blending ground beef, peppers, and spices in a flavorful, festive dish.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 14 oz ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 3.5 oz chicken livers, finely chopped
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium onion, finely diced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, finely diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, finely diced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 green onions, sliced
08 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
→ Rice & Liquids
09 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
10 - 2 cups chicken broth
11 - 1 tbsp vegetable oil
→ Spices & Seasonings
12 - 1½ tsp Cajun seasoning
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - ½ tsp dried thyme
15 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
16 - 1 bay leaf
17 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnish
18 - Fresh parsley, chopped
19 - Sliced green onions
# Steps:
01 - Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
02 - Add ground beef and chicken livers. Cook while breaking up meat, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Add onion, green bell pepper, celery, and jalapeño to the skillet. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables have softened and onion becomes translucent.
04 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
05 - Add rice, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, dried thyme, cayenne pepper, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly to coat rice and vegetables evenly with spices.
06 - Pour in chicken broth and bring mixture to a rolling boil.
07 - Reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 18–20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid has been completely absorbed.
08 - Remove from heat. Discard bay leaf. Let stand covered for 5 minutes, then fluff rice with a fork and stir in sliced green onions.
09 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped parsley and additional green onions before serving.
10 - Serve immediately alongside hot sauce for added heat, with cold beer or light-bodied red wine as beverage pairings.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- One pot means less cleanup and more time celebrating
- The spice blend hits every comforting note without overwhelming heat
- Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day
02 -
- Rinse your rice until the water runs clear or it will turn into a sticky mess
- Do not lift the lid while it simmers or you will lose the steam needed to cook the rice through
- Let it rest for 5 minutes off heat before fluffing
03 -
- Chop the chicken livers when they are partially frozen for easier handling
- Make extra Cajun seasoning and store it in a jar for next time