Brown and Dirty Rice
Get ready to spice up your dinner routine with this hearty and flavorful Brown and Dirty Rice recipe! This Southern-inspired dish combines the wholesome nuttiness of brown rice with the bold, savory flavors of ground sausage, aromatic vegetables, and a medley of Cajun spices. Featuring a kick of paprika, thyme, and garlic, with an optional twist of tender chicken livers for added depth, this is comfort food at its finest. A quick deglaze with chicken broth ties everything together, infusing every grain with rich, smoky goodness. Perfect as a standalone meal or a side dish, this satisfying one-pan wonder is garnished with fresh green onions for a pop of color and zest. With just 15 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of cooking, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal fuss—ideal for busy weeknights or laid-back gatherings.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups brown rice
- 3 cups water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 0.75 pound ground beef or pork sausage
- 0.25 pound chicken livers, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
Rinse the brown rice under cold water to remove excess starch, then set it aside.
In a medium saucepan, combine the brown rice and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer for 35-40 minutes or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the water. Remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
While the rice is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or pork sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a spatula or spoon. If using chicken livers, add them now and cook until no longer pink.
Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.
Stir in the minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, dried thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Pour in the chicken broth and deglaze the pan by scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Add the cooked brown rice to the skillet and stir well to combine all the ingredients. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove from heat.
Garnish with sliced green onions and serve hot. Enjoy your Brown and Dirty Rice!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
460 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.9 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.5 g | 47% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 158 mg | 53% | |
| Sodium | 1146 mg | 50% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 24.7 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.7 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.2 g | ||
| Protein | 24.2 g | 48% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 76 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 5.3 mg | 29% | |
| Potassium | 584 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
