An Easy Vegan Dirty Rice recipe that won't have you missing the meat! This meatless, vegetarian version of the traditional Louisiana Cajun/Creole side dish is gluten-free, allergy-free, and still full of flavorful Southern comfort and authentic "dirty" color!
Dirty rice, the one time when eating "dirty" food is 100% safe and acceptable! Even though this dirty rice is vegan and contains none of the traditional meat, it is still packed with deep Creole flavor, spice, smoke, and a hearty mix of plant-based goodness! This vegan dirty rice is so easy and simple to make and will become your go-to for a quick rice side dish to accompany any entree you have planned to serve on the dinner table!
Why is it called dirty rice?
No need for alarm! There is no dirt or unappetizing specimens in dirty rice. Dirty rice is called "dirty" for the simple fact that the white rice you use gets a "dirty brownish" color from the ground pieces of meat, typically pork, chicken, or beef, that you use in the dish. Thus, the rice has the appearance of being "dirty".
What is dirty rice made of?
For authentic dirty rice, you'll find a combination of white rice, small pieces of ground meat (pork, chicken, beef), bell pepper, celery, onion, and a good dose of spices such as black pepper, cayenne, parsley, and maybe some thyme. Dirty rice is essentially the "Fried Rice of The South". That means you should use previously cooked white rice! Historically, dirty rice was made with the leftovers meats from a previous meal. You know, the gross giblets and such that became much more palatable hidden in a hearty rice dish.
What's the difference between dirty rice, rice dressing, and Cajun rice?
In the South (i.e. Louisiana) these terms are pretty much used interchangeably for what is arguably the same dish, dirty rice, with slight variations in tastes, textures, and ingredients used. What you'll find in all three is rice (obviously), meat, and spices. Dirty rice typically includes ground pork and chicken livers, whereas, rice dressing typically has one ground beef or pork. Cajun rice gets thrown into the vocabulary too. Some say that these other names for dirty rice came about because chefs at restaurants didn't want to call their dish "dirty" for fear that customers wouldn't buy. But if you know good Louisiana food...you know "dirty" is delicious!
How do you make vegetarian dirty rice?
A good Cajun/Creole dish doesn't need to be meat-centric! This vegan dirty rice swaps out all the animal products and uses jackfruit as the main "meat replacement". Besides nixing and swapping out the meat, the other "authentic" ingredients stay the same. Dirty rice is naturally gluten-free, allergy-free, and now meatless! It includes long grain white rice, jackfruit, onion, celery, green bell pepper, and a rich profile of spices and herbs for perfect deep flavor. Black pepper, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, thyme, a bay leaf, cayenne pepper, and finished with parsley! These spices and herbs make up for not using meat so this dish sacrifices none of the rich flavor and dirty color!
What kind of rice should I use?
Your favorite long grain white rice is fine. You can use brown rice if you love that flavor and texture (it will definitely give you the dirty look!). Again, this "Fried Rice of The South" is best with precooked and cooled rice! You'll be mixing the precooked rice into the skillet of sauteed veggies and seasonings!
What do you eat with dirty rice?
Since dirty rice is typically a side dish, you can pair it with any hearty main dish. However, you can keep it as a light lunch or main event if you want to. Without the meat, I'd say keep it as a side dish. Some breaded or grilled cauliflower steaks would be great; perhaps a whole roasted cauliflower for the ultimate vegan Southern meal?
Can I make dirty rice paleo?
You can opt to swap out the rice with cauliflower rice and keep everything else the same in this meatless dirty rice recipe. I would serve a paleo dirty rice with a meat main dish then. Whole roasted chicken, an easy slow cooker or skillet chicken entree would be great. Fried chicken is a favorite of those in Louisiana to pair their dirty rice with, but that wouldn't be a paleo meal!
Easy Vegan Dirty Rice
Easy Vegan Dirty Rice (Gluten-Free, Allergy-Free)
An Easy Vegan Dirty Rice recipe that won't have you missing the meat! This meatless, vegetarian version of the traditional Louisiana Cajun/Creole side dish is gluten-free, allergy-free, and still full of flavorful Southern comfort and authentic "dirty" color!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Side
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Cups Dry Long Grain White Rice (cooked according to package and cooled. 4 ½ Cups cooked.)
- 2 Cups Canned Jackfruit (cut or pulled into small pieces)
- 1 Cup Chopped Onion
- ¾ Cup Chopped Celery
- ¾ Cup Chopped Green Bell Pepper
- ¼ Cup Chopped Fresh Parsley
- 1 Tsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tsp Smoked Paprika
- ½ Tsp Dried Thyme (optional)
- ½ Tsp Black Pepper
- ½ Tsp Cumin
- 1 Bay Leaf
- ¼ to ½ Cayenne Pepper
Instructions
- Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and dry saute the jackfruit, onion, celery, and bell pepper for 5 minutes.
- Add in the parsley and the rest of the herbs and spices and mix everything together for about 2 minutes.
- Finally, add in the precooked and cooled white rice and "stir fry" everything together for 5 more minutes until the dish is hot and the flavors and color have thoroughly developed.
Notes
*You can saute with a tablespoon of neutral oil if you prefer!
**This recipe will serve 6 as a side dish and 4 as a main.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Varies
This vegan dirty rice is SO easy and SO delicious! There is something about a Louisiana rice dish that always satisfies and leads to a no-fail delicious meal! So while you may have been scared of the word "dirty" accompanying a food you're about to eat, know you have the facts and a delicious meatless recipe to try out for dinner tonight!
So tell me:
+ Have you ever had dirty rice?
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Scarlet
This sounds delicious. Being from Louisiana, dirty rice is something I love but I think I will like it even better without the meat! Thanks for the recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's a great meatless way to still enjoy the classic!
Roseann Hampton
Sounds delicious! I never knew you could use jackfruit in a savory dish!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Jackfruit isn't sweet, nor is it savory. It's pretty much tasteless...
Cindy
I’ve made Dirty Rice twice this week, Vegan Style! But I’ve never tried adding jackfruit. Can’t wait to try this!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Vegan style is the only way to go!
Cathclaire
This looks delicious! XO
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Alright, thanks.
Katherine
I have a friend's mom that introduced me to dirty rice and I always loved all the different flavors, so I'd love to try this version!! We've been going meatless more often, but I've never even heard of jackfruit lol. It all looks delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You've never heard of jackfruit??!!
Catherine @ To & Fro Fam
I've really enjoyed eating jackfruit lately, but I've never cooked with it. I'm curious to try - and this looks like a great tester recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Stock that pantry with some cans of jackfruit! Always great to keep on hand!
Amanda
What a yummy and flavorful dish perfect for those with allergies.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Or wanting a meet-free delight!
Briana
Dirty rice is always so good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Easy and satisfying, eh?
Jordan | Read. Eat. Repeat.
This sounds so good! I haven't had dirty rice in years and now I'm wanting some like crazy ha ha
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It is one delicious rice dish!
Lee
I have never tried this before. It looks delicious - can’t wait to try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Time to whip up some dirty rice then!
Hollie Burgess
This sounds amazing! I had no idea what to expect when I saw the title!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Only good things!
Krystin
Oh, I love dirty rice and am so glad you put this together!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Give this vegan version a go then!
Annaliese
I had no idea that there was a vegan way to make this! You have the coolest recipes!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
There is always a way for EVERYTHING!
cait
ohh my gawsh what- vegan recipes- yes girl- i def want to try and make this for my family bc i think they would LOVE it
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They sure will and a great way to introduce jackfruit!
Emily Fata
Oh my gosh! Keep these incredibly delicious vegan recipes coming! I love seeing the new meatless recipes you've been creating. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Dirty rice was just begging to be veganized!