Instant Pot Dirty Rice

Learn how to make Instant Pot dirty rice with ground beef, bacon, peppers and Cajun seasoning mix. While the name might not sound appetizing, this dish is all about the flavor! It’s a delicious Creole one-pot recipe the whole family will love. It’s also gluten-free.

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In This Post:

• ℹ️ What Is Dirty Rice?
• 🛒 Ingredients
• 👩‍🍳 How To Make It
• 📹 Watch The Video
• 🥦 What To Serve With
• 🫙Storage Tips
• 📝 Full Recipe
• ⭐️ Comment On & Rate This Recipe

And if you like this recipe, make sure to check out our Instant Pot Southwest rice (with 4 ways to serve it), Tex Mex beef and rice casserole, or Spanish rice with chorizo.

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What Is Dirty Rice?

If you’ve never heard of or made dirty rice before, here is what you need to know. It’s a popular Creole dish in America’s south and more specifically in the regions of Louisiana, in which thite rice is cooked together with ground beef, pork or chicken, often some liver, as well as bell peppers, celery, onions, and spices. These additions change rice’s color from white to grey or brownish, hence the name ‘dirty rice’.

Of course, there is nothing dirty about it and it’s a very delicious and comforting dish. Other names include rice dressing or chicken and rice. It’s a bit like a rice casserole.

Since we love cooking rice in the Instant Pot, it was a no brainer to try making a dirty rice creation in the pressure cooker. It was quick and easy and worked well as a one-pot dish.

Ingredients For Dirty Rice

There are many versions of dirty rice with the most traditional recipes featuring ground beef and chicken liver. We decided to go for more of a crowd-pleaser option and used some salty bacon instead of chicken livers, which are not to everyone’s taste.

Other usual suspects include the trio of onions, celery and bell peppers (you can use any color you like), aromatic garlic, and Cajun or Creole spice mix (we have provided a DIY blend in the recipe notes). 

As for rice, long-grain white rice such as Jasmine or Basmati will work great in this dish. And you will need some common garnished like scallions and parsley or cilantro. 

How To Make Dirty Rice In Instant Pot

You will find the full list of ingredients, instructions and nutritional breakdown below. Here are some simple steps and how to video. Using the Instant Pot to make this dirty rice recipe is super simple: there are two stages of cooking.

Step 1. Sauté

Use the Saute setting on Normal mode to saute the onions, bacon,bell peppers and celery in some olive oil. Once softened, add the garlic and beef and cook for a further few minutes.

Step 2. Cook The Rice

Then add the rice, spice and stock. Stir everything through and Cancel the Saute setting. Secure and lock the lid and set to Pressure Cook on HIGH for 4 minutes with 4-5 minutes of natural pressure release at the end (leaving the pot undisturbed). Then quick release the remaining pressure.

Once done, open the lid and stir the rice. Garnish with scallions.

Watch How To Make It

Serving Suggestions

When deciding what to serve with dirty rice, you’ll want to choose sides that complement its rich and savory flavors by providing some contrast and balance (read, vegetables!) Here are some ideas:

• Vegetables will provide a refreshing contrast. Steamed or roasted vegetables can work well, such as broccoli, green beans, or Brussels sprouts.
• Cornbread is a classic choice as its slightly sweet and crumbly texture can balance out the spiciness and richness of dirty rice. We love this simple cornbread recipe.
• Coleslaw can provide a cool and tangy contrast and its crunchiness can also add a nice textural element to the meal.
• A light salad with fresh greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a tangy vinaigrette can help balance the meal and add some brightness.
• Fried or sautéed okra is a Southern favorite that complements the flavors of thid dish.
• Collard greens are a classic Southern side dish and can add a touch of bitterness that complements the richness of the rice.
• Fried Plantains are great for a slightly sweet and caramelized contrast.
• Pickles or pickled vegetables will add some tangy and pickled elements to your plate can cut through the richness of the dish and provide a burst of flavor.

Storing Cooked Rice

Refrigerating: Cooked rice, including dirty rice, should be consumed within 3-4 days of cooking. Reheat only the portion you intend to eat to avoid reheating the entire batch multiple times.

Reheating: When reheating dirty rice, make sure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s safe to eat. You can reheat it in the microwave, on the stovetop, or in the oven. Add a splash of water or broth to help prevent the rice from drying out during reheating.

Freezing (Optional): If you want to store dirty rice for a longer period, you can freeze it. Portion the rice into smaller airtight containers or freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Be aware that rice can become slightly softer when thawed and reheated, but the flavor should remain intact.

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Full Recipe

Find the full list of ingredients, instructions, and a nutritional breakdown below. If you have questions or cook this recipe, please let us know in the comments, and make sure to rate this recipe so it’s easy for others to find.

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