Cajun Dirty Rice Turkey (Printable Version)
Southern-inspired dish with ground turkey, vegetables, and bold Cajun spices delivering a vibrant, hearty meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 1 lb ground turkey
02 - 4 oz chicken livers, finely chopped
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 medium onion, finely diced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 2 green onions, sliced
08 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
→ Rice and Liquids
09 - 1 cup long grain white rice, rinsed
10 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
→ Spices and Seasonings
11 - 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
12 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
15 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
16 - 1/2 tsp salt
17 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
# Method:
01 - Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, about 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
02 - Add chicken livers to the same pan and cook for 2–3 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside with the turkey.
03 - Add the remaining oil to the skillet. Sauté onion, bell pepper, and celery for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
04 - Return turkey and livers to the pan. Add Cajun seasoning, thyme, paprika, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. Mix well to coat evenly.
05 - Stir in rice and cook for 1–2 minutes, letting it absorb the flavors.
06 - Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and liquid absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat. Gently fluff rice with a fork. Stir in green onions and parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra green onions if desired.
# Chef's Tips:
01 -
- Ground turkey keeps it lighter than the traditional pork version while staying incredibly satisfying
- The holy trinity of onion, bell pepper, and celery creates that authentic Louisiana flavor foundation
- One pan means less cleanup and more time enjoying dinner
02 -
- Rinsing the rice until the water runs clear prevents that sticky, gummy texture that ruins dirty rice
- Letting the rice toast in the spices for a couple minutes makes a huge difference in final flavor
- Resist the urge to lift the lid while simmering or the rice won't cook evenly
03 -
- Homemade Cajun seasoning keeps for months and lets you control exactly what goes into it
- Letting the meat rest while you cook the vegetables gives it time to reabsorb some juices