Cajun Rice Dressing is a simple yet rich and tasty traditional Cajun recipe. 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.
For more Cajun Recipes, check Cajun Fried Shrimp and Foil Pack Cajun Chicken And Veggie.
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What's the difference between dirty rice and Rice Dressing?
The “dirty” brown color of this dish is achieved by browning spicy cuts of meat and layering them with spices and other ingredients before adding the rice. However, 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.
The most outstanding attribute of Cajun rice dressing is its explosion of flavors. This recipe transforms ordinary ingredients into super-flavorful and unforgettable dishes. The flavorful nature of this recipe makes it a meal that you could enjoy over and over without it getting monotonous.
This classic cajun rice dressing recipe is ideal for any meal ranging from regular weeknight dinners to special holidays and occasions. It is a meal that is sure to be a hit with your family or guests and can be a go-to meal when you need to throw down something quick and easy.
Why Does This Recipe Work?
- It is easy and convenient because minimal time is spent cooking it. This recipe can be prepared in bits whereby you make the dressing and freeze it, then defrost and add cooked rice plus other ingredients when it is almost time to serve.
- It is healthy comfort food that can be served on any day. The fluffy rice and tender ground beef in this recipe ensure that you enjoy a meal that greatly uplifts your mood.
- This simple Cajun rice dressing with ground meat recipe is a flavorful meal that allows you to spruce up the menu in your home.
- It enables you to make the best use of leftover rice or to spice up the old plain rice in your kitchen.
- This meal is budget friendly because it incorporates pantry-essential ingredients that are available in most households.
- This dish is highly satiating and will keep your family and friends feeling well-fed for longer.
- This meal is highly customizable, and it can be made to suit different taste palettes.
What Is In This Cajun Rice Dressing Recipe?
Vegetable oil: To cook the chopped vegetables.
Celery Stalks: They add flavor to this Cajun dish.
Onions: They add an aromatic scent to this recipe.
Green bell pepper: They add color and enhance the visual appeal of the meal. They are part of what is considered the holy trinity of Cajun cuisine, which comprises onions, green peppers, and celery). These ingredients distinguish this recipe as Cajun cooking.
Garlic: It adds a mellow taste to this recipe and also gives it an inviting aroma.
Cajun seasoning: It gives the flavor of this recipe a boost.
Green Onions: They form a classic flavor base for this Cajun cuisine. They are a pleasant addition to this recipe.
Cooked Rice: It forms the base of this recipe. You can choose to use rice that has a nutty flavor and attractive aroma or your preferred type of rice.
Fresh Parsley: it gives a refreshing freshness to the rice. However, fresh parsley is an optional ingredient in this recipe.
Ground beef: It gives its flavor. Cajun rice dressing made with another type of meat would taste differently from one made of ground beef.
Salt and pepper: They are basic components of this recipe that make it spicy. Without these ingredients, the meal would be blunt and unexciting.
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.
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.
Four: Garnish with some parsley and serve.
Top Tips!
- Cook the rice ahead of time but ensure that you thoroughly heat the mixture of rice dressing before serving this dish.
- Stir in your rice properly to ensure that the flavor of the dressing mix is well distributed throughout the food.
- You can add a lot more rice to this recipe if you prefer to taste more rice than meat. The versatility of this meal allows you to achieve your desired rice-to-dressing ratio.
- 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. You also need to chop the fresh parsley to use it to garnish your dish.
- When preparing the rice to use in this recipe, ensure that you measure the water. Too much water makes the rice mushy, and you will not achieve the fluffy texture of the Cajun rice dressing.
- This recipe is a good opportunity to use any leftover rice you have in the fridge.
Recipe Variations
An interesting thing about Cajun rice dressing is that it is quite easy to modify, which explains why there are endless variations of this recipe.
- You can add chicken broth or beef stock instead of water when cooking the rice to enhance its flavor.
- You can also use any meat, such as ground turkey, ground chicken or chicken livers. A combination of meat can also be used for this recipe.
- The flavor in this recipe can be elevated by seasoning the meat and allowing it to sit in the fridge overnight.
- 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.
- You can also use fresh chives, basil, or cilantro instead of fresh parsley.
- 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.
This dish can be served with a bowl of simple and plain green salad as a side dish. This meal can also be enjoyed alongside a cold beverage such as iced tea or fresh juice.
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 the Cajun rice dressing 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.
This recipe allows you to explore, and so you can use the cut of meat that matches the taste and flavor that you wish to achieve. You can use ground chuck, which has adequate fat and richness of flavor. A combination of cuts would also work well for this recipe.
Recipes you may like
- 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
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
- Cook the rice ahead of time but ensure that you thoroughly heat the mixture of rice dressing before serving this dish.
- Stir in your rice properly to ensure that the flavor of the dressing mix is well distributed throughout the food.
- You can add a lot more rice to this recipe if you prefer to taste more rice than meat. The versatility of this meal allows you to achieve your desired rice-to-dressing ratio.
- 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. You also need to chop the fresh parsley to use it to garnish your dish.
- When preparing the rice to use in this recipe, ensure that you measure the water. Too much water makes the rice mushy, and you will not achieve the fluffy texture of the Cajun rice dressing.
Variations
- An interesting thing about Cajun rice dressing is that it is quite easy to modify, which explains why there are endless variations of this recipe.
- You can add chicken broth or beef broth instead of water when cooking the rice to enhance its flavor.
- You can also use any meat, such as ground turkey or ground chicken. A combination of meat can also be used for this recipe.
- The flavor in this recipe can be elevated by seasoning the meat and allowing it to sit in the fridge overnight.
- Make your cajun dirty rice extra spicy by adding a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chili powder.
- You can also use fresh chives, basil, or cilantro instead of fresh parsley.
Lily
Used cilantro instead of Parsley and it was delicious.
Harper
Delicious and easy to make. Thanks.