Dirty Rice | Easy Cajun Rice Recipe

Maybe I should call this not-so-dirty rice since I didn't use chicken livers. But even with ground beef, this Instant Pot Cajun Dirty Rice Recipe tastes so good, that it is likely to become a family favorite once you make it.

What Makes This Cajun Rice So Great?

• Fast. This Instant Pot recipe is done in under 30 minutes.
• Easy. Cook everything in one pan, leaving very little clean up after you eat. Who doesn't love a great pour and cook recipe?
• Family Friendly. Kid-friendly ingredients the whole family will love.
• Inexpensive. No fancy, expensive ingredients. A great recipe to help stretch a budget.
• Delicious. You can't go wrong with the rich, tasty Cajun flavors in this dish.

What Is Dirty Rice Made Of?

Traditionally Dirty Rice is made with:

• Chicken Livers
• Mirepoix (onions, bell peppers, and celery)
• Oil
• Cajun Seasoning
• Bay Leaves
• Dried Oregano
• Louisiana Hot Sauce
• Basmati Rice

I have to admit it, but chicken livers do give it a lovely deep flavor. But I don't usually buy chicken livers.

So when I had the urge to make Dirty Rice in my Instant Pot, I had to reach for what was at hand, which in my case was ground beef. You could use finely chopped chicken livers if you prefer, to make this Cajun Dirty Rice recipe.

Why Do They Call It Dirty Rice?

The name is all in the appearance. It might not be the most appetizing way to describe how your meal looks, but it stuck. The name comes from the Cajun rice having a "dirty" appearance with all of the spices and meat mixed into it.

What Kind Of Rice Is Used In Cajun Cooking?

Traditionally, any type of long-grain white rice is used in Cajun cooking. For this recipe, I used Basmati rice. It's what I had in my pantry, and it cooks beautifully in the Instant Pot.

How Do You Make Dirty Rice From Scratch?

Don't let the stigma of a traditional recipe intimidate you. This is so insanely simple, you'll be kicking yourself for never trying it before. Whether you want to make it in your Instant Pot or on the stovetop, you'll love how easy it is to make.

Instant Pot Instructions

So when you're using your Instant Pot for this dirty rice, you don't really need to brown the ground beef. What you do what to do, however, is break up the ground beef enough so that it doesn't cook in one big clump.

One VERY IMPORTANT THING about this recipe. If you have ANYTHING at all stuck on the bottom of the pan, or even the littlest bit of browning, be absolutely sure to deglaze the bottom of the inner liner of your Instant Pot. If you don't, you might well get the dreaded BURN error.

But if you follow the recipe as written, you shouldn't really have an issue.

1. Turn your Instant Pot on Sauté and when it is hot, add oil.
2. Add the mirepoix and ground beef and stir, breaking up the ground beef lumps. 
3. Add the bay leaf, oregano, Cajun seasoning, hot sauce, salt, and rice, and stir to incorporate.
4. Pour water and immediately close the lid.
5. Cook on HIGH Pressure. Allow the pot to rest for undisturbed, and then release all remaining pressure.
6. Stir gently to fluff up the rice, and serve.

Stove Top Instructions

1. Cook rice. For every 1 cup of rice, you will want to add 2 cups of water. Let it Simmer for 20 minutes and then steam and rest for an additional 10 minutes.
2. While the rice is steaming, cook ground beef in a separate pan on the stovetop. Drain.
3. Add oil, bay leaf, oregano, Cajun seasoning, hot sauce, salt, and mirepoix and stir.
4. Combine all ingredients and serve.

Is Dirty Rice Good For You

Healthy, in my experience, is all up for interpretation. What one person considers healthy according to their dietary choices may not be healthy for another person.

That being said, this Dirty Rice recipe is high in protein while being relatively low in fats and sugars.

So, if you're looking for a meal that is the epitome of comfort food and high in protein, this is the perfect recipe to try!

Want More Instant Pot Ground Beef and Rice Recipes?

• Lebanese Hashweh
• Mexican Ground Beef Casserole with Rice
• Ground Beef Shawarma
• Korean Beef Bowl
• Instant Pot Dolma
• Kheema Pulao

This Instant Pot Dirty Rice Recipe is one of those dishes you'll find yourself making again and again. It's so simple and even the pickiest of eaters love it. So, if your family loves it as much as I do, make sure you share the recipe with your friends on Facebook and Pinterest so they can try it too.

Originally published April 20, 2018

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