Brown and Dirty Rice

Get ready to spice up your dinner routine with this hearty and flavorful Brown and Dirty Rice recipe! This Southern-inspired dish combines the wholesome nuttiness of brown rice with the bold, savory flavors of ground sausage, aromatic vegetables, and a medley of Cajun spices. Featuring a kick of paprika, thyme, and garlic, with an optional twist of tender chicken livers for added depth, this is comfort food at its finest. A quick deglaze with chicken broth ties everything together, infusing every grain with rich, smoky goodness. Perfect as a standalone meal or a side dish, this satisfying one-pan wonder is garnished with fresh green onions for a pop of color and zest. With just 15 minutes of prep and 40 minutes of cooking, this recipe delivers big flavor with minimal fuss—ideal for busy weeknights or laid-back gatherings.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups brown rice
• 3 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.75 pound ground beef or pork sausage
• 0.25 pound chicken livers, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, finely diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the brown rice under cold water to remove excess starch, then set it aside.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, combine the brown rice and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer for 35-40 minutes or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the water. Remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

Step 3

While the rice is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or pork sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces with a spatula or spoon. If using chicken livers, add them now and cook until no longer pink.

Step 4

Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are softened.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, dried thyme, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 6

Pour in the chicken broth and deglaze the pan by scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.

Step 7

Add the cooked brown rice to the skillet and stir well to combine all the ingredients. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 8

Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove from heat.

Step 9

Garnish with sliced green onions and serve hot. Enjoy your Brown and Dirty Rice!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2307.7 grams (2307.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1898

Total Fat 115.90g	149%
Saturated Fat 37.70g	189%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 629mg	210%
Sodium 6567mg	286%
Total Carbohydrate 109.40g	40%
Dietary Fiber 18.00g	64%
Total Sugars 16.60g
Protein 97.70g	195%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 334mg	26%
Iron 20mg	113%
Potassium 2592mg	55%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 55.7%

Protein: 20.9%

Carbs: 23.4%