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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Easy Cajun Dirty Rice with Sausage

    By Marjory Pilley Published Feb 1, 2018 · Updated Feb 16, 2021

    This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Pin It
    Easy Dirty Rice Pin

    This easy Cajun Dirty Rice Recipe with Sausage is sure to start a party whether it's Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday...or a run of the mill weeknight. It's a hearty side or it can be a one-dish meal.

    Easy Cajun Dirty Rice with Sausage in bowl surrounded by Mardi Gras beads.

    Are you in a party mood? You will be once you see how easy it is to make this festive dish with healthy ingredient swaps. It's presented as side dish. But, double up on the protein or add Baked Blackened Chicken and you have a complete meal.

    Just like Cajun Cauliflower Rice with Andouille Sausage, it's fast, flavorful and it meant to be eaten year round!

    Jump to:
    • What is dirty rice?
    • Directions
    • How to Store, Reheat and Freeze
    • More Mardi Gras Dinner Ideas
    • 📋 Recipe

    What is dirty rice?

    Classic Cajun dirty rice starts with white rice that gets "dirty" from finely chopped chicken livers and ground pork. Sauteed onions, celery and red pepper give it flavor. The spice comes from Cajun or Creole seasonings.

    It's often served as a side dish for Mardi Gras celebrations that occur before Lent begins. It definitely should be eaten year round!

    Directions

    Although I'm sure that the traditional version of this Mardi Gras staple is very delicious, let me tempt you with an easier, healthier recipe.

    Use a food processor to crumble fully cooked sausage! It doesn't get any easier than that. I'm partial to chicken sausage. But, Andouille sausage is perfect for this recipe. Be sure to use a nitrite-free product. We use the same trick to make Stuffed Tomatoes with Rice.

    Use brown rice instead of white!

    While the rice is cooking, saute onions, celery, peppers and garlic in olive and butter.

    Stir the cooked rice and sausage into the sauteed vegetables and season everything with Cajun spices.

    Garnish with green onions and, to quote my favorite Louisiana chef, BAM! You're done!

    How to Store, Reheat and Freeze

    • Store - Place leftover dirty rice in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
      • Tip: Store in single serve containers for make ahead lunches during the week.
    • Reheat - Warm leftovers in a skillet over medium-high heat until hot. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave until warmed through. Add a little broth or water to moisten it before you heat it up. For a single serving, add about a teaspoon of liquid.
    • Freeze - Leftovers may be frozen in an airtight storage container. Store up to 3 months. May be microwaved from frozen or defrosted overnight in the refrigerator and then warmed.
    Side dish of recipe with spoons and Mardi Gras beads in the background.

    More Mardi Gras Dinner Ideas

    • Cajun Cauliflower Rice with Andouille Sausage
    • Cheesy Cauliflower Grits and Spicy Shrimp

    Did you make this recipe?
    Please leave a rating and tell us how you liked it!

    📋 Recipe

    Easy Cajun Dirty Rice with sausage in bowl surrounded by Mardi Gras beads.

    Cajun Dirty Rice Recipe

    Whether it's Mardi Gras or a run of the mill weeknight, use our short-cut to get Cajun dirty rice bowls ready fast.
    5 from 2 votes
    Email Ingredients + Recipe
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Author: Marjory Pilley

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup long grain brown rice jasmine or basmati
    • 1 ½ cups vegetable broth low sodium
    • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 Tablespoon butter
    • 1 cup onion diced
    • 1 cup celery diced
    • 1 cup red pepper diced
    • 3 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 teaspoon Cajun spice mix or try this homemade spice blend
    • 12 ounces cooked sausage nitrite free
    • 1 bunch green onion sliced, optional garnish

    Instructions

    • Cook rice according to instructions using broth instead of water. Rice should be light and fluffy and all the broth should be absorbed when finished.
    • Finely cut and mash sausage until it is a crumbly consistency. Chop in a food processor if desired. Set aside.
    • Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan.
    • Add onion, celery, pepper and garlic to pan and saute until soft, about 5 minutes
    • Add sausage to pan and mix to combine.
    • When rice is finished cooking add it to the pan with the sausage and vegetables and mix to combine.
    • Stir in Cajun spice.
    • Top with green onions.

    Notes

    Add a can of red beans for a protein boost and to make this a hearty main meal.
    Grab 5 Low-Carb Saucesand get more easy, healthy recipes! JOIN HERE

    Nutrition

    Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 404mg | Potassium: 314mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1585IU | Vitamin C: 52.6mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg
    Nutritional and Food Safety Disclaimer

    This recipe was originally published 3/2/2014. It was updated to improve the reader experience.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Manu

      March 02, 2014 at 5:58 am

      LOL my girls would have said the same thing... they have such a sweet tooth! 🙂
      I love your recipe for Dirty Rice bowls!

      Reply
    2. Liz

      March 02, 2014 at 7:34 am

      My family would vote for all desserts on Fat Tuesday, too!!! But your dirty rice bowls look like a delicious way to start the meal...and still have room for dessert!

      Reply
    3. Tammi @ Momma's Meals

      March 02, 2014 at 9:09 am

      I love experimenting with homemade rice pilaf's! I'm adding this one to my list, this could easily be dinner in one dish!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 02, 2014 at 8:27 pm

        Thanks Tammi! I've got a few more variations in the works too.

        Reply
    4. Nichole C

      March 02, 2014 at 9:46 am

      Mmmm, I love dirty rice!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 02, 2014 at 8:28 pm

        Thanks! It's spicy and a bit addictive!

        Reply
    5. Family Foodie

      March 02, 2014 at 10:32 am

      We love Rice Bowls and this one looks soooo good!!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 02, 2014 at 8:29 pm

        Thank you. We enjoyed them very much!

        Reply
    6. Tara

      March 02, 2014 at 10:40 am

      Yum, yum, yum, man does that look good!! For some reason my cereal just isn't cutting it right now!!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 02, 2014 at 8:30 pm

        Lol. It's hard to read these Sunday Supper posts over breakfast!

        Reply
    7. Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

      March 02, 2014 at 11:07 am

      What a great dinner for any night!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 02, 2014 at 8:32 pm

        Yes. Perfect for an easy week night dinner..or lunch.

        Reply
    8. Courtney @ Neighborfood

      March 02, 2014 at 11:08 am

      Yum! This would be a great weeknight meal. Satisfying and a little spicy, just the way I like it!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 02, 2014 at 8:32 pm

        Thanks Courtney!

        Reply
    9. Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers

      March 02, 2014 at 11:10 am

      What a perfect dish! I love how healthy it is and ohhhh, I would so put this on a taco and eat it!!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 02, 2014 at 8:33 pm

        Thanks Jennifer! What a great idea!

        Reply
    10. Laura

      March 02, 2014 at 11:13 am

      I love dirty rice but I have a confession to make. Me the queen of never cooking something from a box has never made dirty rice from scratch, I use to always buy that box mix. Admittedly it has been at least 8 years since I had it, I think I need to introduce my family to it.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 02, 2014 at 8:34 pm

        This version is definitely easy! Let me know if you try it!

        Reply
    11. Heather // girlichef

      March 02, 2014 at 11:16 am

      I loooove dirty rice! I would pile a big ol' bowl high and settle in - looks amazing Marjory.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 02, 2014 at 8:36 pm

        Thanks Heather! I always have a big smile when I have a big bowl to enjoy!

        Reply
    12. Shaina

      March 02, 2014 at 1:05 pm

      I've had a few different versions of dirty rice before, it's always delicious!

      Hope your girls enjoy...and you indulge in lots of cake and goodies too!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 02, 2014 at 8:38 pm

        Thanks Shaina! That's the plan.

        Reply
    13. miss messy

      March 02, 2014 at 3:01 pm

      sounds delicious. looks like something I need to try! 🙂

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 02, 2014 at 8:38 pm

        Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    14. MealDiva

      March 02, 2014 at 4:11 pm

      I love the "we should have lots of cake!" sounds like my house! Enjoy your goodies!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 02, 2014 at 8:39 pm

        Thanks! Always a party around here!

        Reply
    15. Betsy @ Desserts Required

      March 02, 2014 at 4:17 pm

      I love dirty rice but never knew how to make it. Can't wait to give this delicious looking dish a try!!

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 02, 2014 at 8:39 pm

        Thanks Betsy! This version is verrry easy!

        Reply
    16. Lane @ Supper for a Steal

      March 02, 2014 at 6:38 pm

      Love dirty rice. I've never made it homemade from scratch before though.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 02, 2014 at 8:41 pm

        I love a good rice bowl...it's easy too.

        Reply
    17. Stacy

      March 02, 2014 at 10:38 pm

      What a beautiful bowl of deliciousness, Marjory! I love that you used chopped sausage because it has so much flavor.

      In Louisiana, the grocery stores make this easy for you because you can actually buy a packet in the meat section called rice dressing mix and all you have to do is cook it and add your rice and spices.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 03, 2014 at 10:31 am

        Thanks Stacy! It's always so interesting to learn what grocery stores in other areas stock. A rice dressing mix certainly would make things easy!

        Reply
    18. Katie

      March 03, 2014 at 9:47 am

      Mmmmm! I love a rice bowl...and these sound perfect for dinner OR lunch. Or a snack...lol...

      Reply
      • Marjory

        March 03, 2014 at 10:30 am

        Thanks Katie! Come to think of it, it would be a pretty tasty snack!

        Reply
    19. Nicole @ Daily Dish Recipes

      March 03, 2014 at 11:40 am

      Cajun Dirty Rice is one of my favorite side dishes. I love this recipe!!!

      Reply
    20. Jane's Adventures in Dinner

      March 03, 2014 at 12:02 pm

      Too fun! I served dirty rice a few months ago and small one said that she couldn't eat it because it was dirty.

      Gorgeous recipe!

      Reply
    21. Cathy

      March 03, 2014 at 12:13 pm

      I love dishes that improve on the 2nd day -- yea for this one!

      Reply
    22. Julie @ Texan New Yorker

      March 03, 2014 at 4:37 pm

      Oh I love, love, love dirty rice! Seriously one of my favorite Cajun dishes.

      Reply
    23. Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom)

      March 03, 2014 at 7:11 pm

      I never knew what "dirty rice" was until now! It's pretty much like Cajun version of fried rice!! LOVE it!

      Reply
    24. Hezzi-D

      March 03, 2014 at 8:27 pm

      This sounds so easy! We love dirty rice!

      Reply
    25. Deb@ Cooking on the Front Burner

      March 03, 2014 at 10:42 pm

      This dish does look really tasty and perfect for Fat Tuesday! I think I may have all the ingredients on hand to give it a try soon...

      Reply
    26. Nancy @ gottagetbaked

      March 04, 2014 at 12:36 am

      This looks so delicious and flavourful! I've pinned so that I can make this asap.

      Reply
    27. Cindys Recipes and Writings

      March 04, 2014 at 7:50 am

      I'm up for this kind of rice dish anytime!

      Reply
    28. Kim Beaulieu

      March 05, 2014 at 4:03 am

      Okay seriously, forget the bowl, I need a trough to eat enough of this to make me happy. This looks absolutely delicious. Love, love, love.

      Reply
    29. Sarah

      March 07, 2014 at 8:29 am

      I forgot how good dirty rice was!

      Reply
    30. The Wimpy Vegetarian

      March 07, 2014 at 3:12 pm

      Oh I just love dirty rice. I haven't made it in years! Thanks so much for the reminder of this great dish. Pinning!!

      Reply
    31. Renee

      March 08, 2014 at 5:22 pm

      Using sausage instead of chicken livers is brilliant! I think it why my husband has never cared for dirty rice. I'll have to make this recipe for him and see if it will change his view on it.

      Reply
    32. Marye

      February 16, 2015 at 8:30 am

      Yummmmmm........ This looks delish. I have to say that I would lean toward cake, too. 😉

      Reply
    33. Lizzy

      February 01, 2018 at 9:11 am

      5 stars
      I don't think I could eat chicken livers. The sausage is perfect. Adding this to my party menu.

      Reply
      • Marjory

        February 01, 2018 at 9:13 am

        I hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    34. Ellen

      February 29, 2020 at 3:43 pm

      5 stars
      This was excellent! I mistakenly bought Cajun sausage instead of the chicken/apple, but with this recipe, it worked perfect.

      Reply
      • Marjory Pilley

        March 02, 2020 at 7:29 am

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Cajun sausage is perfect in this recipe!!!

        Reply

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    Easy Dirty Rice Pin

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