Despite its name, Dirty Rice is anything but dirty! This Louisiana classic is incredibly flavorful and savoury. Authentic Cajun Dirty Rice gets its “dirty” look from small pieces of finely chopped liver mixed into the rice, giving it a brownish tint.
Even if you’re not a fan of liver, don’t worry—the bits are so finely chopped that you won’t notice the usual strong liver taste. Instead, they add a wonderful, aromatic flavor to the rice.
To make this delicious dish, just gather your favorite herbs and spices and get cooking. It only takes a few minutes to prepare, and using a crockpot ensures the rice turns out perfectly tender.
Dirty Rice is perfect for both lunch and dinner, and we guarantee you’ll never get enough of it. Add this recipe to your collection of easy-to-prepare meals and impress everyone with its amazing taste.
Plus, there’s a prep-ahead option, making it even more convenient for those busy days when you don’t have much time to cook!
Crockpot Dirty Rice Recipe
Equipment
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground beef
- 1 lb ground Pork sausage
- 2 cups Uncooked rice
- 32 ounces Chicken broth
- ¾ cup Green bell pepper diced
- ¾ cup yellow Onion diced
- ¼ cup Celery diced
- ¼ cup Flour
- 1 tbsp Bacon grease or cooking oil
- 3 Bay leaves
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tbsp dried Oregano
- 2 tsp dried Thyme
- 2 tsp minced Garlic
- 1 ½ tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Chili powder
- ½ tsp Ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp Cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Heat Skillet: Add bacon grease or cooking oil.
- Brown Meats: Add ground beef and sausage, begin to brown.
- Add Vegetables: Include diced bell pepper, onion, and celery as meats brown.
- Mix in Spices: Stir in herbs and spices (except parsley and bay leaves). Mix well.
- Add Flour: Stir in flour, ensuring it coats the meat mixture.
- Transfer to Crock Pot: Move the meat mixture to your slow cooker.
- Add Rice and Broth: Pour in uncooked rice, chicken broth, and bay leaves.
- Cook: Cover and cook on high for 3 to 3 ½ hours.
- Finish and Serve: Remove lid, add chopped parsley, fluff rice, and enjoy!
Notes
- Traditional Variation: Classic Dirty Rice uses finely chopped chicken livers for a rich flavor. This recipe substitutes bacon grease and flour to achieve a similar taste. You can also add mushrooms or oysters if desired.
- Slow Cooker Variations: Not all slow cookers cook the same way. If your rice isn’t fully cooked after 3 hours on high, add an additional 30 minutes.
- Adjusting for Mushy Rice: If your rice turns out mushy, use ½ cup less chicken broth next time and check the rice at the 2 ½ hour mark.
Nutrition Facts:
| Nutrition | Value |
|---|---|
| Calories | 390 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 55g |
| Cholesterol | 155mg |
| Fat | 10g |
| Iron | 5mg |
| Protein | 20g |
| Sodium | 1501mg |
| Sugar | 3g |
Can I Use Different Types of Meat in This Recipe?
Yes, you can! While this recipe uses ground beef and pork sausage, you can substitute or add other meats. Traditional Dirty Rice often includes finely chopped chicken livers for a rich flavor. You can also try using turkey sausage, ground chicken, or even add some diced ham. Each variation will bring a unique taste to the dish.
What If My Rice Isn’t Fully Cooked After 3 Hours?
Not all slow cookers cook at the same rate. If your rice isn’t done after 3 hours on high, don’t worry. Simply add 30 more minutes to the cooking time and check again. You can repeat this process until the rice is tender. Remember to keep an eye on the moisture level and add a little more broth if it seems too dry.