Easy Dirty Rice Recipe with Ground Beef | Mt. Folly
Easy Dirty Rice Recipe with Ground Beef
Looking for an easy ground beef recipe that brings big flavor to the dinner table without making a big mess in the kitchen? This Dirty Rice with Ground Beef is a simple, satisfying weeknight dinner made with Mt. Folly ground beef, fluffy seasoned rice, bell peppers, onions, celery, and a bold blend of spices.
Inspired by the savory flavors of Cajun-style dirty rice, this easy beef and rice recipe combines everyday ingredients into a hearty meal the whole family can enjoy. The rice cooks in chicken broth for extra flavor, while the ground beef and vegetables create a delicious, savory mixture with just the right amount of spice. Finish it with your favorite hot sauce for a little extra kick.
Best of all, this recipe is easy to make with ingredients you may already have in your kitchen. Whether you're looking for quick weeknight dinner ideas, new ways to cook ground beef, or a flavorful alternative to your usual rice bowl, this dirty rice recipe deserves a spot in your meal rotation.
Why You'll Love This Easy Dirty Rice Recipe
- Easy weeknight dinner: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this a practical meal for busy evenings.
- Packed with flavor: Chicken broth, garlic, paprika, cayenne, black pepper, and fresh vegetables bring every bite to life.
- Made with ground beef: Mt. Folly ground beef gives this hearty rice dish its savory, satisfying foundation.
- A complete-feeling meal: Beef, rice, and a generous mix of vegetables come together in one delicious dish.
- Easy to customize: Adjust the cayenne pepper and hot sauce to make your dirty rice as mild or spicy as you like.
- Great for leftovers: Make a batch for dinner and save the extra portions for an easy lunch the next day.
Ingredients for Dirty Rice with Ground Beef
Here's everything you need to make this easy dirty rice recipe.
The Beef and Rice
- 1 pound Mt. Folly ground beef
- 1.5 cups dry rice
- 3.25 cups chicken broth, prepared using chicken bouillon base
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
The Vegetables
- 2 green bell peppers, diced
- 2 onions, diced
- 4 stalks celery, diced
The Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Hot sauce, such as Tabasco, for serving
How to Make Easy Dirty Rice
1. Cook the Rice
Prepare the chicken broth using your bouillon base according to its package directions. Combine the broth and dry rice in a saucepan and cook according to the rice package instructions until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Set aside.
2. Brown the Mt. Folly Ground Beef
Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over high heat. Add the Mt. Folly ground beef and break it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Continue cooking until the beef is browned and cooked through.
3. Add the Vegetables and Seasonings
Reduce the heat to medium-high. Add the diced green bell peppers, onions, and celery to the browned beef.
Stir in the salt, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and paprika. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and the flavors come together.
4. Stir in the Flour
Sprinkle the flour evenly over the beef and vegetable mixture. Stir well to coat everything and cook briefly, allowing the flour to combine with the beef juices and seasonings.
5. Combine the Beef Mixture and Rice
Add the cooked rice to the skillet. Stir everything together until the rice is evenly mixed with the seasoned beef and vegetables.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. If you'd like more heat, add another pinch of cayenne pepper or save the spice for the table.
6. Serve with Your Favorite Hot Sauce
Spoon the dirty rice into bowls and finish with your favorite hot sauce. We recommend Tabasco for a tangy, spicy finish that complements the savory beef and seasoned rice.
Serve hot and enjoy an easy, flavor-packed dinner!
Tips for the Best Homemade Dirty Rice
Use flavorful broth. Cooking the rice in chicken broth instead of plain water gives the dish a richer, more savory flavor from the start.
Let the beef brown. Give the ground beef enough contact with the hot skillet to develop a browned exterior before adding the vegetables. This builds flavor in the finished dish.
Dice the vegetables evenly. Cutting the bell peppers, onions, and celery into similar-sized pieces helps them soften at a consistent rate.
Adjust the heat to your liking. Cayenne pepper adds a noticeable kick. If you're serving kids or anyone who prefers milder food, start with less and offer hot sauce on the side.
Use a large skillet. A roomy skillet or Dutch oven makes it easier to combine the rice with the beef and vegetables without spilling.
Make it your own. Try serving the dirty rice with sliced green onions, fresh parsley, or an extra dash of hot sauce.
What Makes Mt. Folly Ground Beef a Great Choice?
Great meals start with ingredients you feel good about bringing home. Mt. Folly Beef is rooted in a commitment to raising cattle with care while supporting healthier land and a stronger regional food system.
Mt. Folly cattle have lifetime access to pasture and are never confined to feedlots. Our regenerative farming approach emphasizes soil health, plant diversity, and responsible land management.
Ground beef is one of the most versatile ingredients you can keep on hand. From burgers and tacos to beef bowls, pasta dishes, and this easy dirty rice recipe, it makes it simple to bring satisfying meals to the table.
When you cook with Mt. Folly Beef, you're not just choosing an ingredient for dinner. You're supporting a regional approach to food that connects the people who raise it with the people who enjoy it.
Ready to cook with Mt. Folly? Explore our beef products and learn where to find Mt. Folly ground beef near you.
What to Serve with Dirty Rice
This dirty rice recipe can stand on its own as a hearty dinner, but it's also easy to pair with a few simple sides.
- Green vegetables: Roasted broccoli, green beans, or sautéed greens add a fresh contrast.
- Cornbread: A warm slice of cornbread complements the savory, spicy flavors.
- Fresh salad: A crisp green salad balances the richness of the beef and rice.
- Extra hot sauce: Let everyone customize their bowl at the table.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Dirty Rice
Let leftover dirty rice cool and refrigerate it promptly in a shallow, airtight container. For food safety, refrigerate within two hours of cooking and use within three to four days.
To reheat, add a splash of water or broth and warm the rice and beef in a skillet over medium heat, stirring until steaming hot. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave, stirring partway through to heat evenly.
For best results, reheat only the portion you plan to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is dirty rice?
Dirty rice is a seasoned rice dish traditionally associated with Louisiana and Cajun cooking. Its name refers to the brown color the rice takes on when mixed with savory ingredients and seasonings. Recipes vary, and this easy version uses ground beef, bell peppers, onions, celery, and spices.
Can you make dirty rice with ground beef?
Absolutely! Ground beef makes a hearty, approachable version of dirty rice. In this recipe, Mt. Folly ground beef combines with seasoned rice and vegetables for an easy dinner that doesn't require complicated preparation.
Is dirty rice spicy?
It can be! Cayenne pepper and hot sauce give dirty rice its heat, but you can easily adjust both. Reduce the cayenne for a milder dish and let everyone add Tabasco at the table.
What kind of rice works best for dirty rice?
Long-grain white rice is a great option because it cooks into distinct grains that are easy to mix with the beef and vegetables. Follow the package instructions for the rice you choose.
Can I make dirty rice ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare it ahead and refrigerate it for convenient meals over the next few days. Store it promptly in an airtight container and reheat it until steaming hot.
Where can I buy Mt. Folly ground beef?
You can explore Mt. Folly's beef offerings and product information on our beef page. Mt. Folly ground beef is also available at participating Kroger stores throughout the Louisville division, including locations across Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and Southern Illinois. Availability varies by store, so check with your local retailer.
Make This Easy Dirty Rice Recipe Tonight
You don't need a complicated recipe to make a flavorful dinner. With Mt. Folly ground beef, seasoned rice, fresh vegetables, and a little heat, this easy dirty rice recipe turns everyday ingredients into a satisfying meal.
Give it a try, add your favorite hot sauce, and discover another simple way to bring Mt. Folly Beef to your table.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our Mt. Folly Beef recipes, discover our beef products, and follow Mt. Folly on social media for more easy recipes, cooking ideas, and stories about the farms behind your food.