Forget serving over rice, try stuffing with rice instead! This recipe from @flychefaldenb will change the way you eat Turkey breast.
Dirty rice is a classic Southern and Cajun rice dish that traditionally uses chicken livers or other organ meats to give the rice a distinctive speckled “dirty” appearance However, ground turkey makes a delicious, lighter alternative for a healthier take on this flavorful recipe
Ground turkey delivers all the spice and texture of classic dirty rice minus the high fat content It’s also budget-friendly and takes on flavors beautifully Follow this guide to mastering dirty rice with ground turkey for a weekday meal your family will love.
What Is Dirty Rice?
Dirty rice is a rice-based side dish popular in the Southern United States, especially Louisiana. It gets its unusual name from the use of chicken livers or other organ meats that give the rice a mottled, brown and white speckled look.
Traditional ingredients include:
- Chicken livers or giblets
- Onion, celery, bell pepper (the classic “holy trinity” of Louisiana cooking)
- Warm spices like garlic, paprika, cayenne, oregano, bay leaves
- Chicken broth for cooking the rice
The liver and other organs add a rich, meaty depth to the rice. Aromatic vegetables, herbs and spices further boost the flavor. While often served as a side, dirty rice also makes a hearty main dish.
Why Use Ground Turkey?
Ground turkey makes a delicious alternative to the traditional meats used in dirty rice Here are some of the benefits of using ground turkey
Lower in fat and calories: Ground turkey is a much leaner option compared to chicken livers, pork sausage, or ground beef traditionally used. This lightens up the fat and calorie content considerably.
More protein: 85% lean ground turkey provides over 20 grams of protein in a 3 ounce serving. Great for adding extra protein to this rice-based dish.
Budget-friendly: Ground turkey costs less per pound than lean ground beef or chicken livers. An affordable way to stretch the recipe.
Mild flavor: Ground turkey has a mild taste that takes on spices and seasonings well. It works perfectly with the bold Cajun seasoning in dirty rice.
Easy to find: Ground turkey is readily available at most major grocery stores year-round. Easy to find compared to chicken livers.
Tips for Making the Best Dirty Rice with Ground Turkey
Follow these tips to make sure your ground turkey dirty rice delivers maximum flavor:
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Use a mix of white and dark meat for more richness and the right texture. Or add a spoonful of olive oil when cooking the turkey.
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Don’t skimp on aromatics like onions, celery, peppers, and garlic which build flavor.
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Toast the rice before simmering for nuttier flavor and to prevent mushiness.
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Add back some chicken livers if you want a bit of speckled appearance and authentic flavor.
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Finish with acid and herbs such as hot sauce, green onions, or parsley to brighten it up.
Dirty Rice with Ground Turkey Recipe
This recipe combines flavorful ground turkey, vegetables, and Cajun seasoning for a delicious healthier take on dirty rice.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground turkey (mix of white and dark meat)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Hot sauce, green onions, and parsley for serving
Instructions:
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Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, about 5-7 minutes.
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Add the onion, celery, bell pepper and garlic. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
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Add the rice and stir to coat in the oil. Toast lightly for 2 minutes.
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Stir in the Cajun seasoning, oregano, cayenne, bay leaf, and chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
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Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
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Remove bay leaf. Serve hot, garnished with hot sauce, green onions, and parsley.
That’s all there is to making delicious dirty rice with lean ground turkey! The mild ground turkey takes on all the flavors of the Cajun seasoning beautifully. Serve this budget-friendly dish up any busy weeknight for an easy family meal.
Shop Tony’s Flavors In This Recipe
- 2 Turkey breast tenderloins (boneless)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- Tony Chachere’s Creole Dirty Rice Dinner Mix
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- Tony Chachere’s Spice N’ Herbs Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Tony Chachere’s Pepper Sauce
- Clear
1. In a saucepan over medium-high heat, brown your ground beef. Strain fat and season to taste with Tony’s Spice N’ Herbs Seasoning.
2. Add in chicken broth, hot sauce and Tony’s Creole Dirty Rice Dinner Mix.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce to a low simmer and cover for 25 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
4. Cut a slit through the middle of the turkey breast to form a pocket.
5. Rub the turkey with avocado oil or olive oil. Season generously with Tony’s Spice N’ Herbs Seasoning.
6. Stuff Turkey with the Tony’s Creole Dirty Rice Dinner Mix.
7. Place in the air fryer for 25 minutes at 400 degrees, flipping once halfway through.
8. Remove, let cool for 3 minutes, slice, and serve!
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FAQ
Can you use ground turkey for dirty rice?
You don’t have to get down and dirty in the kitchen to make a meal this good—it’s ready on the table in just four steps. White rice, ground turkey, onions, and red peppers seasoned with ultra-flavorful Cajun spice bake together while you whip up a creamy garlic aioli. We’ve got you covered!
What makes dirty rice dirty?
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Giblets:The main reason for the “dirty” look is the inclusion of minced chicken giblets like livers and gizzards, which brown and become crispy when cooked with the rice.
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Cajun origin:This dish is primarily associated with Cajun cuisine in Louisiana.
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Appearance:The small pieces of meat and browned bits from the giblets create a visually “dirty” appearance in the rice.
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Flavor profile:While the name might seem unappealing, the giblets add a unique flavor to the dish.
What kind of meat goes in dirty rice?
And while you may have seen this particular kind of meal in a box, there’s nothing like making dirty rice from scratch. This dirty rice recipe is made with ground pork or ground sausage, but feel free to substitute ground chicken, turkey, or ground beef.
What’s the difference between Cajun rice and dirty rice?
Dirty rice, which sometimes goes by “rice dressing” or “Cajun rice,” is a rice dish typically made with the “Holy Trinity” of onions, bell peppers, and celery, a hefty amount of ground meat and chicken giblets, and a heavy sprinkling of Creole seasonings, like cayenne, sage, and paprika.