Dirty Rice ~
Bring a taste of New Orleans to the dinner table!
This Creole-style dirty rice is packed with the strong, spicy, and rich flavors of Southern Louisiana.
Serve as a hearty main dish with Easy Roasted Okra.
Easy Vegan Dirty Rice Recipe
I like this classic recipe because the bold, savory flavor resonates with every bite – a blend of earthy, savory, and spicy notes. It’s also a great way to use leftover rice! (See Ingredient Notes, below.)
My vegan version of dirty rice is inspired by the Southern classic, commonly heavy with animal products. This Creole dish is made vegan by replacing a few traditional dirty rice ingredients with plant-based sausages and ground beef vegan meat substitutes. These easy plant-based swaps honor the heritage of the dish while adapting to modern dietary preferences.
However, there is one important component that should not be messed with…the Holy Trinity. The “Holy Trinity” combination of onions, bell peppers, and celery is sacred in Creole cooking. These aromatic vegetables are the backbone of many dishes in the deep American South, and their blend is what creates the characteristic depth and complexity that defines the cuisine.
Ingredients for Dirty Rice
You will need the following:
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter, divided
- 1/2 package (6 ounces) vegan ground beef
- 2 links (7 ounces) vegan sausage
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons celery, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup vegan chicken-style broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 cups pre-cooked long-grain white rice, chilled
Ingredient Notes
- Vegan Butter - Vegetable oil is a fine substitute.
- Vegan Ground Beef – For taste and texture, I like Impossible or Beyond Meat brands.
- Vegan Sausage - Beyond Sausage in Hot Italian gives excellent flavor to this dish.
- Bell Pepper, Onion, and Celery – This is the Holy Trinity – substitutions are not allowed.
- Fresh Garlic – 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
- Creole Seasoning – This is a blend of savory flavors including paprika, garlic, onion, and thyme. There are several good brands on the spice aisle; I used Tony Chachere’s. If you want to use Cajun seasoning, keep in mind the flavor profile will not be the same. Cajun seasoning has more of an emphasis on spiciness with cayenne pepper, black pepper, and chili powder. Simply put, Creole spices lean towards complexity, while Cajun spices lean towards heat.
- Vegan Chicken-Style Broth – I use Better Than Bouillon’s No-Chicken Base. Vegetable broth also works just fine.
- Long-Grain White Rice – Brown rice is good, too. The important thing to note is that the rice is best when made ahead so that it has time to cool completely. Cooked rice that has been thoroughly chilled is ideal because the cooling process firms up the rice grains, preventing them from becoming mushy when you stir in the rice in Step #4.
How to Make Dirty Rice
STEP ONE: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter. When the butter is melted, crumble in the vegan ground beef and sausage. Cook for 5 minutes, using a spatula to break up any large pieces, until the “meat” is browned.
STEP TWO: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, green pepper, onion, celery, garlic, Creole seasoning, and black pepper. Cook for 3 minutes, until vegetables are softened.
STEP THREE: Add the chicken-style broth and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
STEP FOUR: Stir in the cooked rice and continue cooking for 5 additional minutes, until heated through. Remove the bay leaf.
STEP FIVE: Adjust seasoning to taste, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve hot.
Storage
- Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
More Rice Dishes You’ll Love!
- Red Rice Casserole
- Southern Tomatoes and Rice
- Yellow Rice and Beans with Vegetables
- Ranchero Rice and Beans
- Okra Rice Casserole
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Vegan Creole Dirty Rice
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter divided
- 1/2 package 6 ounces vegan ground beef
- 2 links 7 ounces vegan sausage
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper seeded and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons celery finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup vegan chicken-style broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 2 cups pre-cooked long-grain white rice chilled
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter. When the butter is melted, crumble in the vegan ground beef and sausage. Cook for 5 minutes, using a spatula to break up any large pieces, until the “meat” is browned.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, green pepper, onion, celery, garlic, Creole seasoning, and black pepper. Cook for 3 minutes, until vegetables are softened.
- Add the chicken-style broth and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the cooked rice and continue cooking for 5 additional minutes, until heated through. Remove the bay leaf.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve hot.
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