This One Pan Cajun Style Dirty Rice will be your new favourite midweek mince meal. Minimal washing up and packed with flavour.
This is another easy mince beef dish that will have you reaching for a plate before long.
Cajun Dirty Beef Rice is cooked all in one pan, includes plenty of vegetables and delivers that smoky Cajun kick.
I like to push mince dishes beyond the usual bolognese and chilli con carne, and this one is a great family-friendly change of pace.
Hope you enjoy this addition to my weekly meal plans ❤️
Why you’ll love this Dirty Rice recipe
- Something a little different.
- One pan and ready in around 40 minutes.
- Big flavours with hearty, meaty satisfaction.
Recipe Notes
Dirty rice is a traditional Louisiana Creole dish named for the darker colour the rice takes on when cooked with meat.
The dish has a difficult history: it evolved from recipes made by enslaved people who used offcuts and organ meats with rice. Over time it incorporated Creole staples such as the “holy trinity” — onion, celery and green pepper.
For this version I use a convenient one-pot method, so there’s no need to pre-boil the rice.
More Cajun inspired recipes…
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Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Traybake
One Pot Pasta
Cajun Chicken Pasta {One Pan Recipe}
Under 30 minutes
Easy Salmon Tacos {30 Minute Meal}
Ingredients for Dirty Rice
- Olive oil – or sunflower oil.
- Beef mince – 5% fat works well, but use whichever you prefer.
- Onion and garlic – fresh or pre-chopped frozen.
- Celery – adds savory depth.
- Green peppers – any colour is fine.
- Cajun spice mix – choose a brand you like; heat levels vary.
- Long grain rice – rinse it first until the water runs clear.
- Tomato puree – use a good-quality puree if possible.
- Hot beef stock – prepared from a cube is fine.
- Cheese – grated, optional for topping.
- Spring onions – optional garnish.
Substitutions
- Vegetables – swap or add vegetables to use up fridge leftovers. Extra veg stretches the dish and boosts nutrition.
Leftovers
In the fridge: Store for up to 3 days. Follow cooked rice food safety guidance — cool quickly, refrigerate, and reheat until piping hot before serving.
In the freezer: You can freeze this dish for up to 3 months, though rice textures sometimes change after freezing. Cool completely, transfer to a freezer-proof container and defrost thoroughly before reheating. You may need to add a little water when reheating.
Recipe Tip
The Cajun spice used here is generally mild and child-friendly unless you buy a very hot blend. If you want more heat, add another teaspoon. If unsure, start with 3 tsp and adjust to taste.
More easy rice dishes…
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Beef Fried Rice {30 Minute Fakeaway}
Chicken
Chicken Fried Rice {Easy Fakeaway}
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One Pot
Mexican Chicken & Rice {One Pot}
FAQs
This dish tastes indulgent thanks to bold Cajun flavours but can be relatively light if you use lower-fat mince and plenty of vegetables.
Yes — omit the grated cheese topping for a dairy-free version.
A sturdy, deep frying pan or sauté pan with a lid works best. If you want to finish under a grill, choose a pan or dish that’s oven-safe.
Let me know how it turned out and please leave a rating below. I’d also love to see your photos — tag me on Instagram using my handle if you like.
Dirty Rice {Cajun Style Beef One Pot}
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 500 g Beef mince
- 1 Onion, peeled and chopped
- 3 Garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
- 4 Celery sticks, cut into small chunks
- 3 Green peppers, cut into small chunks
- 4 tsp Cajun spice mix
- 200 g Long grain rice
- 4 tbsp Tomato puree
- 800 ml Hot beef stock
- 75 g Cheese, grated (optional)
To serve:
- Spring onions, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, deep frying pan. Add the mince and fry for 5 minutes until browned.
- Add the onion, garlic, celery, green peppers and Cajun spice mix. Cook for 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Rinse the rice in a sieve until the water runs clear, then add to the pan with the hot stock, tomato puree and seasoning.
- Stir well, cover with a lid and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice has absorbed the stock and is cooked through.
- Preheat the grill to high. Fluff the rice with a fork, sprinkle over the cheese (if using) and place under the grill for 3–5 minutes to melt and brown.
- Finish with chopped spring onions if desired and serve hot.
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Notes
Vegetables: Mix and match to suit your fridge and taste. Extra veg stretches the meal and adds nutrition.
Pepper: Bell peppers work well here.
Spice level: The Cajun mix here is fairly mild. Add an extra teaspoon for more heat, or start with 3 tsp if you’re cautious and adjust to taste.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation. Values are per portion unless stated.
Additional Info
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