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Spicy Southern Dirty Rice with Sausage

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  • Author: Chef AI
  • Prep Time: 20 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 Minutes
  • Total Time: 65 Minutes
  • Yield: 6 Servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast

Description

Hearty Southern Dirty Rice with Spicy Sausage, a comforting, flavorful meal blending seasoned rice, ground meat, and bold spices. Perfect for family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Protein & Base:
  • 1 lb spicy pork sausage (like hot Italian or Cajun)
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 4 oz chicken livers, finely minced (optional, but traditional!)
  • Aromatic Vegetables (The Holy Trinity!):
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 large green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Flavor Boosters:
  • 4 cups chicken broth, low sodium
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1–2 tsp hot sauce (like Tabasco or Crystal), or to taste
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • Seasonings & Grains:
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (or Creole seasoning)
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meats:: First things first, get that spicy pork sausage into a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Break it up with your spoon and let it get wonderfully browned and crispy. Honestly, this step is where so much flavor begins! Once it’s cooked through, remove the sausage with a slotted spoon, leaving behind all that delicious fat. Then, add the ground beef to the same pot and brown it up, too. If you’re brave like me and using chicken livers, quickly sauté them in the same pot after the beef, just until they’re no longer pink, then remove and finely mince them. Don’t forget to drain most of that excess fat after the beef, leaving just a tablespoon or two behind for the veggies – trust me on this one!
  2. Sauté the Aromatics (The Trinity!):: Now, into that same pot with the remaining fat, toss in your chopped yellow onion, green bell pepper, and celery. This is the ‘holy trinity’ of Cajun and Creole cooking, and it’s essential for authentic Southern Dirty Rice with Spicy Sausage. Sauté them over medium heat until they’re softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. You’ll smell that amazing aroma filling your kitchen, and honestly, it’s just the best. Stir frequently so nothing sticks. This is where I always get a bit impatient, but slow and steady wins the flavor race here!
  3. Add Garlic and Spices:: Once the trinity is soft, add the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until it’s fragrant – don’t let it burn, hon! Nobody wants bitter garlic. Stir in the tomato paste, Cajun seasoning, and dried thyme. Let that cook for about a minute, stirring constantly, to toast the spices and deepen their flavor. This step really wakes everything up and builds those rich, complex layers in your Southern Dirty Rice with Spicy Sausage. The kitchen will smell incredible, I swear!
  4. Bring it Together with Liquid:: Pour in the chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, and a few dashes of hot sauce. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot – that’s called ‘deglazing,’ and it’s pure flavor! Return the browned sausage, ground beef, and minced chicken livers (if using) to the pot. Stir everything together well. This is where all those individual flavors start to meld into something truly magical for your Southern Dirty Rice with Spicy Sausage. I usually taste it here and adjust the salt and pepper if needed.
  5. Add Rice and Simmer:: Stir in the long-grain white rice, making sure it’s evenly distributed in the liquid. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot tightly with a lid. This is crucial for getting perfectly cooked rice. Sometimes I’m tempted to peek, but resist! Just let it do its thing. I’ve definitely had moments where I lifted the lid too early and ended up with crunchy bits of rice. Learn from my oops moments!
  6. Rest and Serve:: Let the Southern Dirty Rice with Spicy Sausage simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Once it’s cooked, turn off the heat and let it rest, still covered, for another 10 minutes. This resting period allows the steam to finish cooking the rice and makes it fluffy. Finally, remove the lid, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and stir in some fresh chopped parsley and green onions. It should look perfectly “dirty” and smell absolutely amazing, ready to be devoured!

Find it online: https://tastetrend.net/southern-dirty-rice-with-spicy-sausage/