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.
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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.
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?
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.
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.
Recipe FAQs
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.
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
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
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Recipe Card
Cajun Rice Dressing
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.
Lily says
Used cilantro instead of Parsley and it was delicious.
Harper says
Delicious and easy to make. Thanks.