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Cajun Beef & Rice

Name: Cajun Beef & Rice
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings.
Cuisine: North America, Cajun
Ingredients: 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean); 3 celery ribs, chopped; 1 small green pepper, chopped; 1 small sweet red pepper, chopped; 1/4 cup chopped onion; 2 cups water; 1 cup instant brown rice; 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 teaspoons reduced-sodium beef bouillon granules; 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

17 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Makes

4 servings

Cajun rice from a restaurant or box can have a lot of sodium and fat. Here’s a hearty, healthy way to trim it down. —Raquel Haggard, Edmond, Oklahoma

Cajun Beef & Rice Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
3 celery ribs, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
1 small sweet red pepper, chopped
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 cups water
1 cup instant brown rice
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons reduced-sodium beef bouillon granules
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

In a large skillet, cook beef, celery, green and red peppers, and onion over medium heat until beef is no longer pink, 8-10 minutes; crumble beef; drain.
Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until rice is tender, 12-15 minutes.

Cajun Beef & Rice Tips

What is Cajun rice made of?

Traditionally, Cajun rice was made with leftovers from a chicken or other meat dish and included chicken gizzards. Rice, vegetables such as onions, celery and peppers and seasonings, water or broth are then added and simmered. Our version uses beef for a fun weeknight twist.

Is Cajun rice the same as dirty rice?

Cajun rice, dirty rice and Cajun rice dressing all refer to the same dish. Like most traditional favorites, professional chefs and home cooks alike have their own versions, but they’re all based on the same traditional recipe. The "dirty" in dirty rice alludes to the changing of color of the white rice after it’s been cooked with meat and seasonings.

What other Cajun recipes can I try?

Cajun food has a wallop of flavor and is delicious in any season. If you’d like to try other Cajun recipes, try our Cajun shrimp, baked catfish and, as a fun snack, Cajun popcorn! Of course, jambalaya is one of the most popular Cajun dishes you can make, too.

Research contributed by Catherine Ward, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant

Nutrition Facts

1-1/2 cups: 291 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 422mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable.