Print
clock clock icon cutlery cutlery icon flag flag icon folder folder icon instagram instagram icon pinterest pinterest icon facebook facebook icon print print icon squares squares icon heart heart icon heart solid heart solid icon

Dirty Rice with Ground Beef: A Hearty Southern Classic


  • Author: Elsa
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A one-pan ground beef and rice skillet cooked with onions, peppers, and seasonings. A quick, budget-friendly comfort food meal with optional Cajun-style add-ins.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup white rice (uncooked)
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules (or 2 cups beef broth)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups water

Optional Add-ins:

  • Garlic, minced
  • Celery, chopped
  • Cajun seasoning
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Hot sauce
  • Thyme or bay leaf

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meat and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef, onion, and bell peppers until beef is browned and vegetables softened.
  2. Drain Grease: Drain any excess fat to prevent greasy rice.
  3. Season the Mixture: Stir in bouillon granules (or broth), salt, seasoned salt, and black pepper.
  4. Add Rice and Liquid: Add uncooked rice and 2 cups water. Stir to combine.
  5. Simmer Covered: Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook 20–25 minutes until rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
  6. Fluff and Rest: Remove from heat, let rest 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve warm.

Notes

For Cajun dirty rice flavor, add celery, garlic, thyme, Worcestershire sauce, or hot sauce. Swap beef with sausage or ground turkey for variation.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: One-Pot Skillet
  • Cuisine: Southern, American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 440
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 780mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 42g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 26g
  • Cholesterol: 75mg

Keywords: ground beef rice skillet, dirty rice, Cajun beef and rice, one pot dinner