Description
Spicy Mexican Dirty Rice is a bold, one-pot meal packed with smoky spices, hearty ingredients, and customizable heat. Perfect as a main dish or side, this easy recipe is ready in under 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups white rice
- 1 lb ground beef or chorizo
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup black beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup corn kernels
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients – Finely chop the onion, garlic, and peppers. Rinse the rice under cold water to remove excess starch.
- Sauté the Aromatics – Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper, cooking until softened.
- Brown the Meat – Add ground beef or chorizo to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula.
- Spice it Up – Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for a minute to toast the spices.
- Incorporate Rice and Liquid – Add the rinsed rice to the skillet, stirring to coat in the spices. Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and broth. Stir well.
- Simmer the Rice – Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender.
- Add the Final Touches – Stir in black beans, corn, and lime juice. Let cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve – Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh cilantro before serving.
Notes
- Vegetarian Option – Skip the meat and use extra beans or crumbled tofu.
- Different Proteins – Swap ground beef for shredded chicken, turkey, or even shrimp.
- Extra Spicy – Add chipotle peppers in adobo sauce or an extra jalapeño.
- Milder Version – Reduce chili powder and use sweet bell peppers instead of spicy ones.
- Cheesy Twist – Sprinkle shredded cheddar or cotija cheese on top before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Side dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: mexican inspired
Keywords: Spicy rice, Mexican dirty rice, one-pot meal, easy Mexican recipe, flavorful rice dish