This Cajun dirty rice dish is made with chopped veggies, cajun spices, and smoked sausage and is loaded with flavor! Serve this rice with chicken, fish, or shrimp to create the ultimate Cajun meal.
Dirty rice is a classic Louisiana Cajun dish that I grew up eating often. There is so much flavor layered in this dish and it has the perfect amount of heat without being overpowering. Instead of chicken livers and gizzards that traditional dirty rice is made with, this variation is made with smoked sausage and of course the "holy trinity" of onion, bell pepper, and celery.
Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe
- Long-grain rice. Rice is the base of the dish and long-grain works best to give the dish structure.
- Chicken stock. The rice is boiled in chicken stock instead of water for added flavor. You can also use chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- Butter and extra virgin olive oil. These are the fats that the sausage and veggies are cooked in.
- Smoked sausage. This recipe calls for four medium sausage links or 12-ounces. You may use any kind of smoked sausage you prefer, such as andouille, beef sausage, turkey sausage, or chicken sausage. I used Aidells Chicken and Apple Smoked Sausage.
- Yellow onion. You need one small chopped yellow onion for this recipe.
- Red bell pepper. This recipe calls for one medium red bell pepper. Seed and chop the bell pepper.
- Celery. Chop one large stalk of celery for this recipe by slicing it lengthwise then chopping it into half-moons.
- Garlic. Fresh garlic is a must for this dish and adds delicious flavor.
- Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. These are the spices and herbs used to add flavor to the dish.
How To Make This Recipe
- Cook the rice in the chicken stock until tender according to package instructions. Fluff the rice with a fork and set aside.
- In a medium heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter with the olive oil. I used my Lodge 10-inch Cast-Iron Skillet. Add the smoked sausage to the skillet and cook until the sausage is browned, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery and cook until the veggies begin to soften, about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about another minute.
- Season the sausage and vegetables with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper and stir with a wooden spoon.
- Add a little bit of chicken stock to the skillet to deglaze the pan, scraping up any brown bits with the wooden spoon. Add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir to combine the rice with the veggies and sausage. Continue to cook while stirring for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add a little more chicken stock if needed so that the rice isn't dry.
- Remove the pan from the heat and transfer the rice to a serving dish. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy!
What Is Dirty Rice?
Dirty rice is a side dish that is very popular in the southern US, particularly in Louisiana. Dirty rice is traditionally made with long-grain rice, the "holy trinity" as it's known in Cajun and Creole cooking, of onion, bell pepper, and celery, ground beef or pork, ground chicken gizzards, and/or chicken livers.
The dish gets its name from the "dirty" look it has from cooking the ground chicken livers and gizzards with the rice. There are several variations of dirty rice that omit the chicken gizzards and livers as they can be a bit overpowering for some tastebuds.
Variations and Substitutions
Dirty rice can be made with a number of different proteins, although some would argue that it's no longer "dirty rice" if not made with chicken gizzards and livers, but instead "cajun rice".
Whatever you choose to call this delicious dish, feel free to try it out with some of these suggestions:
- Ground turkey
- Ground chicken
- Shrimp
- Chopped chicken breasts
- Ground sausage
I don't suggest getting too creative with vegetable choices since the "holy trinity" is the holy grail in cajun cooking!
Make-Ahead and Storing Instructions
This dirty rice can be prepared up to two days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Just reheat the rice in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Leftover dirty rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
What to Serve with Dirty Rice
This is the fun part! If you're a return visitor you probably know that I LOVE Cajun and Creole cuisine! There are so many dishes that you can pair this dirty with. It can also be served as a full meal on its own with just a side of crusty bread or cornbread.
Try pairing this dirty rice with some of these suggestions:
- Hot Honey Butter Chicken Thighs
- Blackened or fried fish
- Blackened or fried shrimp
- Po'Boy sandwiches
- Crab cakes
Recommended Tools for This Recipe
More Cajun-Inspired Recipes You Will Love!
- Cajun Honey Butter Roasted Carrots
- The Best Blackening Seasoning
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Creole Sauce
- Authentic Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
- Cheesy Cajun Chicken and Sausage Dip
📖 Recipe
Cajun Dirty Rice with Smoked Sausage
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 ¼ cups chicken stock divided
- 1 tablespoon butter unsalted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 12 ounces smoked sausage about 4 medium links
- 1 small yellow onion chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 1 large stalk celery chopped into half moons
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- salt and cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the rice in 2 cups of chicken stock until tender according to package instructions. Fluff the rice with a fork and set aside.
- In a medium heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter with the olive oil. Add the smoked sausage to the skillet and cook until the sausage is browned, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery and cook until the veggies begin to soften, about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about another minute.
- Season the sausage and vegetables with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper and stir with a wooden spoon.
- Add a little bit of chicken stock to the skillet to deglaze the pan, scraping up any brown bits with the wooden spoon. Add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir to combine the rice with the veggies and sausage. Continue to cook while stirring for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add a little more chicken stock if needed so that the rice isn't dry.
- Remove the pan from the heat and transfer the rice to a serving dish. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can also use chicken broth or vegetable broth.
- You may use pork, chicken, turkey, or plant-based smoked sausage.
- Leftover dirty rice can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
Marlon Boyd
This was so good! My family loved it! Recipe was easy to follow! Thank you!
Ashley Boyd
I'm so happy to hear this! Thank you for trying the recipe!
Kalyn
This was amazing!! Made it tonight and my fiancé said to add it to my recipe book 😋 Thank you!!
Ashley Boyd
I'm so happy you and your fiance enjoyed the recipe, Kalyn!
Care
Whole family really likes this. Next time I will make sure to have some crusty bread as a side! Will definitely be making this again!
Pam
Yummy! Love the flavors in this. Easy healthy and delicious meal. Thanks!
Ashley Boyd
Hi Pam,
I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed the flavors of the dirty rice! It certainly is an easy meal to prepare. Thank you!
CSM
We absolutely loved this! I used chorizo instead of the smoked sausage and garnished with sliced spring onions, small cubes of cheese & sliced red chilli. Can’t wait to make it again! Thank you.
Ashley Boyd
I'm so happy to hear your loved the Cajun dirty rice recipe! I love the addition of cheese and red chili!