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    Home » Recipes » Dinner

    Cajun Rice Dressing

    Published: Dec 2, 2022 · by Radwa.

    Jump to Recipe

    My Cajun Rice Dressing is easy, super flavorful, convenient and takes less than 20 minutes to prepare; it is ideal for weeknight dinners. This recipe is my go-to meal when I need to throw down something quickly and easily.

    The dish is sometimes referred to as “dirty rice” because it is made from white rice that is prepared alongside other ingredients that change its appearance.

    overheat shot of Cajun Rice Dressing in a pot
    Jump to:
    • Cajun Rice Dressing
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Cajun Rice Dressing?
    • Recipe Variations
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Cajun Recipes
    • Easy Rice Recipes
    • Recipe Card
    • Comments

    Cajun Rice Dressing

    Friends, Cajun rice dressing is seriously a true example of comfort food. The fluffy rice and tender ground beef in this recipe ensure that you enjoy a meal that greatly uplifts your mood.

    The vegetables I use are the holy trinity of Cajun cuisine: onions, green peppers, and celery. These ingredients distinguish this recipe as Cajun cooking.

    Green bell pepper adds colour and enhances the visual appeal of the meal, celery adds flavor, and onions add an aromatic scent to this recipe.

    I usually cook the rice the day before if I don't have a leftover rice in my fridge. Believe me, using day-old rice in this recipe is way better than using newly cooked rice. I find that the old rice tends to absorb the flavours better.

    The versatility of this meal allows you to achieve your desired rice-to-dressing ratio. This means You can add a lot more rice to this recipe if you prefer to taste more rice than meat.

    Cajun Rice Dressing in a serving plate

    Ingredients

    Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

    Vegetables: I used celery, onions, green bell pepper and green onions.

    Garlic: Ensure that your garlic is finely chopped to prevent it from being too noticeable when eating.

    Vegetable oil: To cook the chopped vegetables.

    Cajun seasoning: It really gives the flavor of this recipe a boost.

    Cooked Rice: It forms the base of this recipe; I use day-old rice. This dish is a great way to use any leftover rice you have in the fridge.

    Fresh Parsley: I use chopped fresh parsley to garnish this dish; it gives a refreshing freshness to the rice. However, it is an optional ingredient. You can also use fresh chives, basil, or cilantro instead of fresh parsley.

    Ground beef: I used extra lean ground beef. You can use any meat, such as ground turkey, ground chicken or chicken livers. However, the dish would taste differently from one made of ground beef.

    Salt and pepper: To taste.

    How To Make Cajun Rice Dressing?

    Step by step photo instructions collage for making the recipe

    One: In a large skillet or pot, heat the butter and oil over medium high heat then, add chopped onion and celery, and cook for 5-6 minutes until softened; add the garlic, and cook for more 1 minute.

    Pro Tip: Avoid overcooking the vegetables to achieve the appropriate texture. Only cook the vegetables until they have softened and the onions are transparent.

    Two: Now, add in the ground beef, salt, black pepper and cajun seasoning, and cook for 7-8 minutes over medium heat until the meat is cooked.

    Three: Stir in cooked rice, parsley, bell pepper and green onions until incorporated.

    Pro Tip: Stir in your rice properly to ensure that the flavor of the dressing mix is well distributed throughout the food.

    Four: Garnish with some parsley and serve.

    Recipe Variations

    • Make your cajun dirty rice extra spicy by adding a half teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chili powder or a few drops of hot sauce.
    • Add some herbs such as thyme, sage or bay leaves.
    • Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for additional flavor.
    close shot of Cajun Rice Dressing

    Serving Suggestions

    Cajun rice dressing can be served as a delicious side or main dish. I like to serve it with a bowl of Elote Corn Salad (Mexican) or Malfouf Salad.

    This meal can also be enjoyed alongside Iced White Chocolate Mocha or Chocolate Milk Tea.

    Storage

    To Store: Store the dressing in an airtight container in the fridge where it can last up to 3 days.

    Freezing: You can also freeze this dish in a ziplock bag; it will last for 1-2 months.

    overheat shot of a pot full of dirty rice

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I Prepare This Dish Ahead Of Time?

    You can make this dish ahead by pre-cooking the rice and the dressing separately. When it is time to serve, reheat the meat and vegetable mixture before adding the rice.

    What's The Difference Between Dirty Rice And Rice Dressing?

    The traditional dirty rice is made from organ meats such as liver and chicken giblets, while Cajun rice dressing features ground meat such as beef or lamb.

    More Cajun Recipes

    • Cajun Fried Shrimp
    • Foil Pack Cajun Chicken And Veggie

    Easy Rice Recipes

    • Seaweed Rice Balls - Korean
    • Easy Mujadara Recipe - Lebanese Lentils And Rice
    • Chicken And Yellow Rice Recipe
    • Easy Mushroom Fried Rice - Chinese Recipe
    • Turmeric rice in a bowl.
      Easy Turmeric Rice Recipe
    • Scooping the fish rice with vegetables out of the pan.
      Fish Rice Recipe
    • Chicken and Yellow Rice with peas in a casserole pan.
      Chicken and Yellow Rice Recipe
    • Mushroom Fried Rice in a serving plate.
      Mushroom Fried Rice

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    Recipe Card

    Cajun Rice Dressing
    Print Pin
    5 from 3 votes

    Cajun Rice Dressing

    My Cajun Rice Dressing is easy, super flavorful, convenient and takes less than 20 minutes to prepare; it is ideal for weeknight dinners. The dish is sometimes referred to as “dirty rice”.
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes minutes
    Servings 10 servings
    Calories 234kcal
    Author Radwa

    Equipment

    • Pot
    • Chopping board
    • Kitchen knife
    • Wooden spoon
    • Garlic press

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
    • 1 tablespoon Butter
    • 4 Stalks Celery , chopped
    • 2 Onions , chopped
    • 1 Green Bell Pepper , chopped
    • 5 Cloves Garlic , minced
    • 500 G Ground Beef
    • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
    • ½ Cups Green Onions , chopped
    • 3 Cups Cooked Rice
    • ¼ cup Parsley , chopped
    • ¾ teaspoon Salt
    • ½ teaspoon Black Pepper

    Instructions

    • In a large pot, heat the butter and oil then, add onion and celery, and cook for 5-6 minutes until softened; add the garlic, and cook for more 1 minute.
      1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil, 1 tablespoon Butter, 4 Stalks Celery, 2 Onions, 5 Cloves Garlic
    • Now, add in the ground beef, salt, black pepper and cajun seasoning, and cook for 7-8 minutes until the meat is cooked.
      500 G Ground Beef, 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, ¾ teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • Stir in cooked rice, parsley, bell pepper and green onions until incorporated.
      1 Green Bell Pepper, 3 Cups Cooked Rice, ¼ cup Parsley, ½ Cups Green Onions
    • Garnish with some parsley and serve.

    Notes

    • I recommend stirring in your rice properly to ensure that the flavor of the dressing mix is well distributed throughout the food.
    • Avoid overcooking the vegetables to achieve the appropriate texture. Only cook the vegetables until they have softened and the onions are transparent.
    • Ensure that your garlic is finely chopped to prevent it from being too noticeable when eating.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 225mg | Potassium: 292mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 638IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @HealthyLifeTrainer or tag #healthylifetrainer!

    About Radwa

    Hi, I am Radwa! I've always been fond of food—seriously, it's my love language. I share my tried-and-true recipes and provide easy, step-by-step recipes that anyone can follow.

    Comments

    1. Lily says

      December 02, 2022 at 1:59 pm

      5 stars
      Used cilantro instead of Parsley and it was delicious.

      Reply
    2. Harper says

      December 02, 2022 at 1:56 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious and easy to make. Thanks.

      Reply
    5 from 3 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




    Healthy Life Trainer

    Hello! I’m Radwa, A wife and mother. Also, I am the recipe maker and food photographer behind Healthy Life Trainer. I love making new, simple and quick recipes every day.

    More about me→

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