Cajun Dirty Rice Beef Peppers (Print)

A bold Southern dish blending spiced beef, peppers, and fluffy rice for a flavorful meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef, 85% lean

→ 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

→ 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
15 - ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
16 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil

→ Herbs

17 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# 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 apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 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 meat and vegetables evenly.
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 Suggestions:

01 -
  • The rice absorbs every bit of flavor from the beef and vegetables, creating layers of taste in every single bite
  • It comes together in one pan and feeds a crowd without breaking the bank
  • You can adjust the heat level from mild family dinner to spice that makes you reach for your drink
02 -
  • If your rice is still crunchy after 20 minutes, add 2 tablespoons of water and cook for 5 more minutes with the lid on
  • Removing the lid to check on the rice too often lets steam escape and leads to uneven cooking
  • The heat level will mellow slightly overnight if you plan to make this ahead for meal prep
03 -
  • Mix your own Cajun seasoning with equal parts paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder plus smaller amounts of oregano and black pepper
  • Chop your vegetables slightly smaller than you think you need so they disappear into the rice

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