Dirty rice is a classic Cajun dish. It’s traditionally made with white rice. Its name comes from the bits of chopped liver and other organ meats that stud the rice. The recipe below replaces the traditional beef or pork with ground turkey and is studded with chicken livers and bacon.
If you're opposed to chicken livers, you can leave them out, but the finely diced bits infuse the rice with deep flavor without overpowering the dish. The classic Cajun “holy trinity” of onions, bell peppers and celery, and a generous dose of Cajun seasoning ground this dish in Louisiana culinary tradition.
Southern dirty rice with ground turkey
4
10 minutes
20 minutes
30 minutes
4 strips bacon, diced
1 onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
2 bay leaves
½ pound chopped chicken livers, finely diced
1 pound ground turkey
1 small green bell pepper, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon Creole or Cajun seasoning
3 green onions, chopped
6 cups cooked rice
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon, stirring frequently, until it's browned, about 4 minutes.
Add the oil along with the onions and garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken livers, turkey, thyme, bay leaves and Cajun seasoning, and cook, stirring, until the turkey is browned, about 5 minutes more.
Stir in the bell pepper, celery , salt and pepper, and cook for 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
Stir in the rice, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 3-5 minutes, until the rice is heated through. Remove from the heat, stir in the parsley and serve immediately.