Veggie-Packed Cajun “Dirty Rice” with Beef, Celery, Peppers & Carrots

Ingredients

• 1 cup basmati rice
• 4 carrots (medium)
• 4 sticks celery
• 24 fl oz chicken or vegetable broth (Used to cook the rice and added to the skillet as directed)
• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 green bell peppers
• 0.5 lb lean ground beef
• 2 yellow onions (medium)
• black pepper (to taste)
• cayenne pepper (amount not specified)
• extra virgin olive oil (amount not specified; for cooking)
• oregano (dried; amount not specified)
• paprika (amount not specified)
• salt (amount not specified)
• thyme (dried; amount not specified)

Steps

1. 1

   Using a strainer or colander, rinse the basmati rice under cold running water. Drain it and transfer it to a medium saucepan.

2. 2

   Add the broth to the saucepan with the rice and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.

3. 3

   Meanwhile, wash and dry the fresh produce.

4. 4

   Once the liquid boils, stir the rice mixture, cover the saucepan, and reduce the heat to low. Cook until the liquid is fully absorbed, 15–18 minutes.

5. 5

   Remove the rice from the heat and let it stand, still covered, for 5 minutes.

6. 6

   While the rice cooks, peel, halve, and finely dice the onions. Peel and mince the garlic, then place both in a large bowl.

7. 7

   Trim and finely dice the celery, then add it to the bowl with the onion and garlic.

8. 8

   Trim, seed, and finely dice the green bell peppers, then add them to the bowl.

9. 9

   Peel, trim, and finely dice the carrots, then add them to the bowl.

10. 10

    Preheat a large skillet over medium heat.

11. 11

    Once the skillet is hot, add the olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom.

12. 12

    Add the prepared vegetables to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until they begin to soften, 5–6 minutes.

13. 13

    Add the ground beef, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and dried thyme to the skillet.

14. 14

    Continue cooking, breaking the beef apart with a spoon, until it is browned and crumbly, about 4–5 minutes more.

15. 15

    Add the cooked rice and additional broth to the skillet. Stir occasionally and cook until heated through, 2–3 minutes more.

16. 16

    Remove the skillet from the heat.

17. 17

    Divide the dirty rice between plates or bowls and serve.

Notes

The structured recipe data does not specify quantities for the olive oil or seasonings, nor how much broth is reserved for the final skillet addition. Use the listed 24 fl oz total broth as directed by the source.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• Cajun-inspired
• one-skillet
• beef
• rice
• high-protein
• vegetable-packed