What Is Dirty Rice?
Dirty rice also (Cajun rice) is an American Cajun/Creole dish. This rice is originally from Southern Louisiana.
Cajun rice is eaten all over the American south.
Dirty rice is popular throughout the Cajun country, especially New Orleans. It is served in various forms at all public gatherings, whether it is a family reunion, potluck, cookout, funeral.
Although there are many versions of dirty rice, traditional dirty rice is made with ground beef, pork, chicken livers (giving it its dirty color), onion, celery, bell pepper, and Creole seasoning.
My version of dirty rice, I added a vegan burger for that dirty rice look.
I have made it with my vegan burger recipe and Beyond burger and they were both a huge hit. I also substituted green bell pepper for red bell pepper.
This is the perfect one-pot meal! This dirty rice can easily be adapted with your favorite veggies. and protein to be enjoyed all year round.
If you like Cajun food, this might become your new favorite way to enjoy it.
Why Is It Called Dirty Rice?
It is called ‘dirty rice’ because of the bits and pieces of browned meat studded in the rice.
Traditionally long-grain or medium-grain white rice is used to make homemade dirty rice but I use brown rice.
What’s In Dirty Rice?
- Vegan Burger Or Store Bought
- Oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Celery
- Bell Pepper
- Creole Seasoning
- Vegetable Broth
- Cooked Brown Rice
- Salt
- Green Onion

A flavorful take on the classic Southern comfort dish, vegan dirty rice recipe is definitely a must try! Cooked vegan ground protein, rice seasoned with onion, celery, bell peppers, and Creole seasoning.
How To Make Dirty Rice?
Cook vegan burger following recipe instructions or if using storebought burger, cook according to package directions and cut into small pieces using a fork and knife, set aside.
Heat oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat, add onion, garlic, celery, bell peppers and cook until fragrant and soft, about 3 minutes.
Add Creole seasoning, or use Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Cook for 3 minutes.
Stir in the vegan burger, rice, salt to taste and spring onion. Cook until heated through, about one minute.
What Goes With Dirty Rice?
Dirty rice can be served as a side, as a main or with a salad. My Vegan Gumbo Recipe tastes amazing with this Cajun dirty rice recipe with a side of Vegan Chicken Nuggets and Southern Fried Cabbage.
Can You Freeze Dirty Rice?
Yes, you can freeze dirty rice, preferably freeze your dirty rice immediately after cooling. Place rice in sealed containers and freeze.
Dirty rice should keep for one month in the freezer.
To reheat dirty rice you can either defrost container in the refrigerator or reheat from frozen. I usually add about 2 tablespoons of water or vegetable broth to the pan.

A flavorful take on the classic Southern comfort dish, vegan dirty rice recipe is definitely a must-try! Cooked vegan ground protein, rice seasoned with onion, celery, bell peppers, and Creole seasoning.
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Categories
- Categories: Gluten-Free, Vegan
- Course: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
(Per portion)- Energy: 322 kcal / 1346 kJ
- Fat: 6 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Carbs: 57 g
Cooking Time
- Preparation: 15 min
- Cooking: 20 min
- Ready in: 35 min
- For:
- 8 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 cooked vegan burger, homemade or store bought
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, or your favorite oil
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 1/2 medium bell pepper, (I used red bell pepper)
- 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 3 cups brown rice, cooked
- salt, to taste
- green onion, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook vegan burger following recipe instructions or if using storebought burger, cook according to package directions and cut into small pieces using a fork and knife, set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat, add onion, garlic, celery, bell peppers and cook until fragrant and soft, about 3 minutes. Add Creole seasoning, vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Stir in the vegan burger, rice, salt to taste and spring onion. Cook until heated through, about one minute.
This looks delicious! A question about your creole seasoning: are all of those ingredients in equal amounts?
Hello Susan, the Creole seasoning recipe is here Creole Seasoning
This is amazing! I doubled the recipe, used 12 oz of Impossible Burger, and half cauliflower rice / half brown rice. Making for a third time this week!
Bren, I’m so happy you enjoyed it. I love your adjustment. I have this lonely cauliflower in my refrigerator. Now I know what I’m making for dinner. Thank you!
Would TVP be a good substitute for the burger type meat?
Yes, soak, season and bake or pan-fry your TVP first.
Hi Michelle!
I’ve made this dish twice, it’s fantastic! I was Beyond Meat Spicy Italian Sausage instead of a vegan meat patty. We love it, looking forward to doubling it and adding pecans for Thanksgiving.
Thank you,
Lisa D.
Lisa, thank you for your feedback, I’m so happy you enjoyed it with the Beyond Sausage. Ooh that’s a great idea to add pecans for Thanksgiving. Thank you for sharing.
I ‘m trying to eat to eat more healthy and I think I’m going to try this recipe with either red beans or kidney beans instead veggie burger.
Wayne, enjoy it.
We made this with tofu that we fried up using beef flavoring for our kiddo. She loved your dirty rice and is putting the left over creole seasoning from recipe on everything now. We have made a spice jar just for your creole seasoning recipe. Thank you!
This looks delicious, Michelle! I’m going to give it a try tomorrow but I think I’ll use veggie sausage instead of veggie burger. I used to eat sausage dirty rice back in my meat-eating days, and I think it will work out well. Thank you for the recipe!!
Thank you Annie, I have made it with vegan sausage and it is great, enjoy!
Could you do this in the instantpot?
I’m sure you can, I will do it when I get back from my vacation.
I’m making this as a Thanksgiving side this year. Because honestly there aren’t very many choices for Vegans on Thanksgiving. Looks delicious and filling!
Mallory, this is a great pick, but I have lots of holiday recipes for you to prepare. https://healthiersteps.com/gluten-free-vegan-thanksgiving-recipes/
I made this tonight but used lentils instead of rice. It was so yummy!
That’s amazing, I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing your feedback.
Delicious and easy! I added fresh mushrooms. Will make this again.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it Kathy and you made it your own. Thank you for your feedback.
Yummy! Love a good one pot
Thank you Cara, I hope you enjoy it!