Flavorful and spicy, this easy dirty rice with sausage is perfect for a quick meal that’s satisfying, filling and full of taste. Ready in under 30 minutes, this Cajun dirty rice is also totally gluten-free and dairy-free too.
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Jump to:
- What is Dirty Rice?
- Is Dirty Rice Gluten-Free?
- Why This Recipe Works:
- Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- How to Make Sausage Dirty Rice (Step by Step):
- Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Recipe FAQs:
- Other Rice Recipes to Enjoy:
- Gluten-Free Main Dishes You’ll Love:
- Easy Dirty Rice with Sausage (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
What is Dirty Rice?
An extremely common dish in the Creole regions of southern Louisiana in the USA, dirty rice is a traditional Louisiana Creole dish that’s made with white rice that gets a “dirty” brown color from spices, green bell pepper, celery, onions, and small pieces of meat.
(Fun fact: Did you know that the “holy trinity” of Creole and Cajun cooking involves celery, onions and green bell peppers?)
Originally, dirty rice was cooked with organ meat (such as chicken livers), but these days it is often cooked with ground sausage or even shrimp.
Because it is easy to make and its ingredients are very affordable, dirty rice, which is also known as “Cajun rice” is a popular dish in the South.
Is Dirty Rice Gluten-Free?
The main ingredients for dirty rice are usually naturally gluten-free, but sometimes the broth or stock used may not be certified gluten-free, so if you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, you’ll want to watch out for that.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Simple Ingredients: The main ingredients required for this sausage dirty rice recipe are easily accessible at the local grocery stories (nothing complicated required!).
- Easy to Make: This Cajun dirty rice recipe with sausage is a 30-minute meal that is uncomplicated to prepare and absolutely foolproof, making it a great option for easy weeknight dinners (both as a main dish or a side dish).
- Totally Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free: The best part is that this quick easy dirty rice recipe is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances can enjoy it without issues.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for this easy dirty rice with sausage recipe.
(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)
Recipe Notes + Substitutions:
- Sausage: I used pork breakfast sausage, but you can use turkey sausage, chicken sausage, kielbasa or andouille sausage (smoked sausage) if you prefer. Alternatively, you can also use ground beef, ground pork or ground chicken if you want.
- Onions: I used a yellow onion, but you can also use white onions or red onions if you prefer.
- Bell Peppers: Green bell peppers are characteristic of traditional dirty rice, but you can always use either red bell pepper or yellow bell pepper if you prefer.
- Celery: Celery is one of the key vegetables used in dirty rice, so make sure you add it in.
- Garlic Cloves: I’m a big fan of garlic, so I’m using 4 garlic cloves, but feel free to reduce the amount if you’re not that keen on it.
- Cajun Spice: Since we’re making Cajun dirty rice, Cajun seasoning is fundamental in this recipe.
- Rice: I recommend using long grain rice for this easy dirty rice recipe. You can use basmati rice or jasmine rice if you prefer. If you prefer brown rice, you may also use brown rice, but bear in mind that because of the higher fiber content in brown rice, cooking time will be longer so you may have to add more broth or water as well as cook it for another 10 minutes).
- Chicken Broth: I used chicken broth, but you can also use beef broth or vegetable broth if you prefer. You can also use chicken stock or vegetable stock instead. If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use certified gluten-free chicken broth.
- Thyme: You can either use fresh thyme sprigs, or dried thyme leaves if you prefer. Just make sure that you need a smaller amount of dried herbs compared to fresh herbs (since dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor). You can also add some dried oregano if you prefer.
- Salt: I used fine table salt, but you can also use fine Himalayan pink salt instead. How much salt you need to add will depend on which broth is used. It’s best to use reduced-sodium chicken broth and add just a little salt, as this flavorful rice dish already has plenty of flavor and seasoning from the broth and sausages.
- Pepper: Ground black pepper adds a little bit more spice and heat to this dirty rice, but if you can omit it out if you prefer it not to be too spicy. Alternatively, if you like more heat, you can use Cayenne pepper, ground paprika or crushed red pepper flakes too.
- Scallions: I like using sliced green scallions for garnishing, but you can also use fresh chives or fresh parsley if you prefer.
How to Make Sausage Dirty Rice (Step by Step):
1. Cook Sausage and Break into Pieces
In a large nonstick skillet or pan, cook the sausage meat, breaking it down into small pieces with a wooden spatula. Cook until the sausage is no longer pink. Drain the liquid fat and set the cooked sausage aside on a plate.
2. Sauté Veggies
In the same large skillet, sauté the onions, bell peppers and celery.
3. Add Garlic and Condiments
When the onions are translucent, add in the minced garlic, Cajun spice, salt, pepper. Cook for another 30 seconds.
4. Add Rice, Broth and Herbs
Stir in the washed and rinsed uncooked rice, pour in the broth, add bay leaves, thyme, and return the cooked meat to the skillet.
5. Bring to Boil then Simmer
Bring to a boil, cover with lid and reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer for 18 minutes until all the water has evaporated and the rice is cooked.
5. Garnish and Serve
Fluff the rice with a wooden spoon, remove the thyme, bay leaves and then garnish it with green onions.
Dish by Dish Tips/Tricks:
- Swap Out Pork for Other Protein: Feel free to swap out the pork sausage for other types of sausage, such as turkey sausage, chicken sausage, or even beef sausage.
- Make it Vegetarian: If you rather keep this dirty recipe recipe vegetarian or vegan, you can use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and use tempeh or crumbled tofu instead of the pork sausage.
Recipe FAQs:
Dirty rice is called that because it is made with white rice that gets a “dirty” brown color from spices, green bell pepper, celery, onions, and small pieces of meat.
To store, place any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat the dirty rice in the skillet over medium low heat before eating.
Yes, you can! Simply place the sausage dirty rice in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Let the frozen rice thaw completely overnight in the refrigerator and then heat it up or thaw it directly in the microwave before eating.
Other Rice Recipes to Enjoy:
- Simple Fried Rice (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Easy Broccoli Garlic Rice (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Cilantro Lime Rice with Curried Shrimp (Gluten-Free)
- Cilantro Egg Fried Rice (Gluten-Free)
Gluten-Free Main Dishes You’ll Love:
P.S. If you try this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a star rating below, and/or a review in the comment section further down the page. I always appreciate your feedback. Be sure to check out my entire Recipe Index for all the recipes on the blog. You can also follow me on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram! Sign up for my Email List to get fresh recipes in your inbox each week!
PrintEasy Dirty Rice with Sausage (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Flavorful and spicy, this easy sausage dirty rice is perfect for a quick meal that’s satisfying, filling and full of taste. Ready in under 30 minutes, this Cajun dirty rice is also totally gluten-free and dairy-free too.
Ingredients
- 11oz pork breakfast sausage, skins removed
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 3/4 cup celery (about 1-2 stalks), diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Cajun spice
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice such as basmati, washed and rinsed
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2–3 fresh thyme sprigs or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Sausage and Break into Pieces: In a large nonstick skillet, cook the sausage meat, breaking it down into small pieces with a wooden spatula. Cook until no longer pink. Drain the fat and remove to a side plate.
- Sauté Veggies: In the same skillet, sauté onion, bell pepper and celery.
- Add Garlic and Condiments: When onion is becoming translucent add in garlic, Cajun spice, salt, pepper. Cook for another 30 seconds.
- Add Rice, Broth and Herbs: Stir in the washed and rinsed uncooked rice, pour in the broth, add bay leaves, thyme, and return the cooked meat to the skillet.
- Bring to Boil then Simmer: Bring to a boil, cover with lid and reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer for 18 minutes until all the water has evaporated and the rice is cooked.
- Garnish and Serve: Fluff the rice with a fork, remove the thyme, bay leaves and serve with green onions.
Notes
Sausage: I used pork breakfast sausage, but you can use turkey sausage or chicken sausage if you prefer.
Onions: I used yellow onions, but you can also use white onions or red onions if you prefer.
Bell Peppers: Green bell peppers are characteristic of traditional dirty rice, but you can always use either red, orange or yellow bell peppers if you prefer.
Celery: Celery is one of the key vegetables used in dirty rice, so make sure you add it in.
Garlic Cloves: I’m a big fan of garlic, so I’m using 4 garlic cloves, but feel free to reduce the amount if you’re not that keen on it.
Cajun Spice: Since we’re making Cajun dirty rice, Cajun spice is fundamental in this recipe.
Rice: I recommend using long-grain white rice for this easy dirty rice recipe. You can use basmati rice or jasmine rice if you prefer.
Chicken Broth: I used chicken broth, but you can also use beef broth or vegetable broth if you prefer. If you are Celiac or gluten-intolerant, make sure to use certified gluten-free chicken broth.
Thyme: You can either use fresh thyme sprigs, or dried thyme leaves if you prefer. Just make sure that you need a smaller amount of dried herbs compared to fresh herbs (since dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor).
Salt: I used fine table salt, but you can also use fine Himalayan pink salt instead. How much salt you need to add will depend on which broth is used. It’s best to use low sodium and add just a little salt, as this dish has plenty of flavor and seasoning from the broth and sausages.
Pepper: Ground black pepper adds more spice and heat to this dirty rice, but if you can omit it out if you prefer it not to be too spicy.
Scallions: I like using sliced green scallions for garnishing, but you can also use fresh chives or parsley if you prefer.
Storing: Place the leftover sausage dirty rice in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat the dirty rice in the skillet over medium low heat before eating.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Barbara says
This was amazing!! This will definitely be on the rotation for dinner!
Felicia Lim says
So happy to hear that Barbara! Thanks for reporting back how it went, glad that it’s going to be on your dinner rotation 😉 Hope to see you around the blog again sometime soon!
xx,
felicia
Grace Lim says
It is so interesting to know how this dish derives its name “Dirty Rice” 🙂
Thanks Felicia for sharing with us the interesting fact and origin of this rice dish !
We love you,
Mumj
Felicia Lim says
Love you too mummy!