This Southern Style Dirty Rice comes together in about 30 minutes and all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients based on what’s in your fridge or pantry, or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends. Trust me, this is a dish full of flavor that will have your family begging for seconds!
Ingredient Breakdown
- Ground Pork Sausage
- Ground Beef
- Chicken Broth
- Cooked Rice
- Yellow Onion
- Red Bell Pepper
- Celery
- Flour
- Vegetable Oil
- Fresh Garlic
- Spices and Herbs
- Bay Leaves: These are essential for adding that distinct flavor. Just remember to remove them before serving!
- Chili Powder: A little chili powder creates warmth in the background without being overwhelming. You can ramp this up if you enjoy spicier dishes!
- Dried Oregano & Thyme: These herbs add aroma and flavor that just scream Southern comfort food.
- Salt & Pepper: A couple pinches of both help enhance all the flavors.
- Cayenne Pepper: For an extra kick if you’re brave! I’m a bit of a spice wimp, so I usually go light.
- Fresh Parsley
Let’s Get Cooking!
Step 1: Brown the Meat
In a large skillet, heat about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add in 1 lb of ground pork sausage and 1 lb of ground beef. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the meat starts to brown and the delicious smells fill your kitchen. Seriously, you’re going to love this part!
Step 2: Add the Veggies
Once the meat is nicely browned, toss in the ¾ cup of diced yellow onion, ¾ cup of red bell pepper, and ¼ cup of diced celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion turns translucen about 3 minutes. The vibrant colors will make this dish even more enticing!
Step 3: Spice It Up
Now it’s time to get a bit aromatic! Stir in 2 tablespoons of fresh minced garlic, along with 1 teaspoon of chili powder, 1 tablespoon of dried oregano, 2 teaspoons of dried thyme, and 1 ½ teaspoons of salt. Oh, and don’t forget about ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper and a little ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper if you fancy some heat! Cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
Step 4: Add the Flour
Sprinkle in ¼ cup of flour, and stir to evenly coat the meat and veggies. This will help to thicken the mixture. Cook for another minute. You want to ensure the flour is well-mixed, no clumps!
Step 5: Broth and Bay Leaves
Pour in 2 cups of chicken broth and add 3 bay leaves. Now, those bay leaves they’re like flavor ninjas. They’ll work their magic while you’re cooking! Take a wooden spoon and scrape the yummy bits off the bottom of the skillet. Those bits are treasure!
Step 6: Let It Simmer
Bring everything to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 5-8 minutes. Everything should start to thicken up beautifully. You’ll want to keep an eye on it, stirring occasionally.
Step 7: Finish with Rice and Parsley
Time to add the rice! Stir in your 4 cups of cooked rice and 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley. Let that simmer together for another 5 minutes, allowing the rice to soak up all the wonderful flavors!
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Serve it hot with a sprinkle of extra parsley on top if you’re feeling fancy. Enjoy the cheers and happy faces at the dinner table!
Why I Love This Recipe
Honestly, this Southern Style Dirty Rice is my go-to recipe whenever I need a comforting meal that is loaded with flavor and makes my family happy. It’s one of those dishes that brings everyone to the table, and we all know how rare that can be these days! I’m a real sucker for anything that takes about 30 minutes to whip up, has ingredients I usually have on hand, and just works every single time. The best part is that it’s so versatile; you can truly use whatever you’ve got!
If you loved this Southern Style Dirty Rice, be sure to check out my Savory Soup Rice, my Boursin Collard Green Rice, or my Honey BBQ Chicken Rice!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This dish is a go-to recipe for busy weeknights. It comes together in about 30 minutes and uses straightforward ingredients you probably already have at home! Talk about a weeknight meal miracle.
One Pot
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, everything comes together all in one pot. This means less cleanup for you and more time with the family. Can I get an amen?
Budget-Friendly
Southern Style Dirty Rice is incredibly budget-friendly, using affordable, everyday ingredients. You could easily double this recipe for a crowd without breaking the bank.
Customizable
It’s super easy to customize this dish based on what you have in your pantry. Veggie lover? Toss in some chopped spinach. Want to clean out those leftover proteins? Perfect!
Comfort Food
And of course, let’s not forget that this is comfort food through and through. It’s loaded with savoriness from the sausage and beef, making every bite satisfying!
Serving Suggestions
This Dirty Rice can be served on its own, but if you want to elevate the meal, try pairing it with some cornbread or a green salad to balance everything out. It’s also fantastic with a drizzle of hot sauce if you like an extra kick!
Storage
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Just be warned it’ll disappear quickly!
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, pop your Dirty Rice in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. Add a splash of chicken broth to keep it nice and moist if necessary!
Freezer Friendly?
Yes! You can freeze this dish for later. Just store in individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw it overnight in the fridge, then reheat as mentioned above.
I can hardly wait for you to try this Southern Style Dirty Rice! With its rich flavors and hearty texture, this dish is as comforting as a warm hug after a long day. Plus, it’s a lifesaver for those busy weeknights when you need something fast and satisfying. Happy cooking, y’all! Follow LunaChef on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration and air fryer cooking tips.
Southern Style Dirty Rice
Ingredients
Method
- Heat about 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add in the ground pork sausage and ground beef. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned.
- Add the diced yellow onion, red bell pepper, and diced celery. Cook until onions are translucent (about 3 minutes).
- Stir in the fresh minced garlic, chili powder, oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Sprinkle in the flour, stirring to mix well without clumps. Cook for another minute.
- Pour in chicken broth and add bay leaves. Scrape the bottom to release flavors.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in cooked rice and parsley. Simmer for another 5 minutes for flavors to meld.
- Serve hot, optionally with more parsley on top.