Description
Cajun Dirty Rice with Smoked Sausage is a flavorful and hearty dish that combines tender long-grain rice with savory smoked sausage and a medley of vegetables, seasoned with classic Cajun spices. This easy-to-make recipe offers a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and aromatic flavors, ideal for a comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Rice and Liquids
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 1/4 cups chicken stock, divided
Fats
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Main Ingredients
- 12 ounces smoked sausage (about 4 medium links)
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 1 large stalk celery, chopped into half moons
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: Cook the rice in 2 cups of chicken stock until tender according to package instructions. Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork and set aside to keep warm.
- Brown the Sausage: In a medium heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter together with the olive oil. Add the smoked sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, enhancing its flavors and texture.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, red bell pepper, and celery to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Then, add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- Season the Mixture: Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and cracked black pepper. Stir thoroughly with a wooden spoon to evenly coat the sausage and veggies with the spices.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour a small amount of the reserved chicken stock into the skillet to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the pan with the wooden spoon, which adds depth of flavor.
- Combine Rice and Sausage Mixture: Add the cooked rice to the skillet and stir well to incorporate it with the sausage and vegetables. Continue to cook and stir for an additional 2-3 minutes. If the mixture seems dry, add a bit more chicken stock to moisten the rice.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the Cajun dirty rice to a serving dish. Optionally, garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve hot and enjoy the bold, smoky flavors!
Notes
- Use smoked sausage for the best authentic flavor, but you can substitute with kielbasa or andouille sausage if preferred.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount to control the spiciness according to your taste.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the smoked sausage and chicken stock are certified gluten-free.
- Leftover dirty rice can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
