Cajun Dirty Rice Ground Turkey (Printable)
Experience a hearty Southern rice classic with lean ground turkey, aromatic vegetables, and zesty Cajun spices. Ideal as a main or side.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 1 pound ground turkey
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced (reserve some for garnish)
→ Rice & Liquids
07 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
08 - 2 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)
→ Spices & Seasonings
09 - 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 bay leaf
13 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
→ Fats
16 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
→ Optional Garnish
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable or olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is no longer pink and begins to brown, approximately 5-6 minutes.
02 - Add the finely chopped yellow onion, diced green bell pepper, diced celery, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté the vegetables for 4-5 minutes until they are softened and aromatic.
03 - Stir in the Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, dried thyme, bay leaf, kosher salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the spices become fragrant.
04 - Add the rinsed long-grain white rice to the skillet and stir thoroughly to coat each grain with the vegetable and spice mixture. Pour in the 2 cups of chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low.
05 - Cover the skillet and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
06 - Remove the skillet from the heat. Discard the bay leaf. Fluff the cooked rice with a fork. Stir in the thinly sliced green onions and chopped fresh parsley (if using). Taste the dirty rice and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt or pepper.
07 - Serve the Cajun Dirty Rice hot, garnished with any reserved green onions and extra fresh parsley.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It's surprisingly quick to get on the table, making weeknight dinners feel like a treat without the fuss.
- You get all that incredible, complex Cajun flavor without needing a dozen specialty ingredients – just pantry staples and a little spice magic.
02 -
- Resist the urge to peek! Seriously, don't lift the lid while the rice is simmering, or you'll lose all that precious steam and end up with unevenly cooked grains.
- Always taste your chicken broth and Cajun seasoning before adding salt, some brands are incredibly salty, and it's much easier to add more than to fix an over‐salted dish.
03 -
- When browning the turkey, make sure your skillet isn't overcrowded; if it is, work in batches to ensure the turkey browns properly instead of steaming, which dulls the flavor.
- After the rice has finished simmering, let it sit, covered, off the heat for an additional 5–10 minutes. This resting period allows the steam to redistribute, resulting in perfectly tender, distinct grains.