Authentic dirty rice contains chicken livers, but don't fret if you don't like them. Follow this recipe but increase the beef or pork and you'll have a wonderful basic "undirty" Cajun Rice.

Cajun Dirty Rice

There are as many dirty rice recipes as there are southern cooks, but authentic dirty rice recipes always include chicken giblets of some kind - usually livers - though the kidney, heart and gizzard are often used as well.

This is just one of those Cajun dishes that was born out of the tradition of using every part of the animal in meals.

Also, when we cook rice in the south, which we do regularly, we tend to cook a bunch so that there's just about always some rice hanging around in the fridge. This dish is a great way to use some of that leftover rice, which I feel surely must've had something to do with its creation in the first place.

The livers are what creates the "dirty" look to the rice, because they impart a color that clings to rice and gives it a sort of, well, dirty look.

Without them it really isn't dirty rice.

Sorry.

Without the livers, it is both lacking in the classic color and the unique flavor from them. Still, even "cleaned up" for folks who can't stomach the idea of eating giblets of any kind, it makes a pretty darned good dish more commonly known simply as Cajun Rice.

Just don't call it Dirty Rice y'all.

Though The Cajun aka the hubby isn't gonna touch liver with a ten foot pole, I have managed to sneak it in on him with Dirty Rice, to which he declares how delicious it is! 

We treat this more like a rice dressing where I come from, so it is typically served as a side dish often to fried chicken, or roasted meat, though other folks around the country often serve this is a one skillet, main dish, adding a nice garden salad or green veggie as their side.

Dirty rice also serves as a great filling too for things like tacos, burritos, wraps, stuffed peppers or lettuce cups.

Don't go overboard with the Cajun or Creole seasoning though - all of your seasonings should be to taste and a little bit of cayenne goes a long way! Always start with a little, taste and adjust as needed. Make it a Creole Dirty Rice by adding in 2 cans of drained Rotel tomatoes and 1 small can of tomato sauce.

Here's what you'll need to make my Cajun Dirty Rice:

• 3 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 3 toes garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped jalapenos
• 1 pound chicken livers, trimmed, rinsed and ground or finely minced
• 1 pound ground beef or pork
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon Creole or Cajun seasoning (like Slap Ya Mama), or to taste
• 4 cups leftover cooked rice
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion
• Hot sauce, for the table

Here's how to make it!

Cook the bacon until cooked through, but not crisp.

Remove and set aside.

In the bacon drippings, add the onion, bell pepper and celery, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and jalapeno and cook for another minute or so.

Add ground/minced meats and cook until lightly browned and cooked through. Do not drain.

Add the salt, pepper and Cajun seasoning.

Return the bacon to the pot.

Reduce heat to medium low, cover and let simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a small amount of water only if needed to prevent sticking.

Add the rice and green onion, stir together, cover and reduce heat to a medium low simmer. Heat through, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings.

May also be kept covered on very low heat and allowed to continue to steam until needed.

Serve with hot sauce at the table.

For more of my favorite rice recipes, check out the collection on my Pinterest page!

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Posted by Mary on November 29, 2008

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