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What Goes with Dirty Rice

Favorite Cajun Cuisine

Would you like to know what goes with dirty rice? This classic Cajun dish from Southern Louisiana is one of my family’s favorites. I love cooking it because my family has always loved it.

bowl of dirty rice on a wooden table

First of all, you may wonder what dirty rice is, and I’m more than happy to tell you. It starts out as a rice dish. Then you add a “dirty” color, from small pieces of meat like ground beef or even chicken livers, aa well as aromatic spices. I’ve also used chicken broth, green pepper, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Yes, I love pepper!

While it’s a yummy dish on its own, you might still have the question of how to turn it into a complete meal. If you’re looking for a dirty rice recipe, here’s one from Call Me PMc that I highly recommend: Delicious dirty rice recipe.

Sides and Main Dishes

Dirty rice is such a versatile main dish that I think it goes with a wide variety of sides. Here are some of the best side dishes to consider:

Green Beans – A classic side dish, green beans roasted in an air fryer makes this a wonderful but easy treat. I also enjoy them sautéed in olive oil with some fresh herbs and garlic powder.

plate of green beans and a fork

Cajun Shrimp with Sauce – Enhance the Cajun flavors by accompanying your main course with spicy shrimp seasoned with this delicious Cajun sauce.

bowl of cajun shrimp sauce

Sweet Potato Fries – The sweet notes of sweet potato fries can balance the spicy flavors of the dirty rice. Air fryer enthusiasts, this is your moment to shine!

plate of sweet potato fries

Collard Greens – Another classic southern dish, collard greens cooked with a bit of pork sausage or pork chops can complement the rice beautifully. Try this recipe from Southern Bite. It’s absolutely wonderful!

Creamed Spinach – This creamed spinach recipe is one the whole family will enjoy, probably even non-veggie lovers. It’s creamy (as the name implies) and loaded with the most delicious favors.

Bowl and plate of creamed spinach with mushrooms

Creamy Coleslaw – For a refreshing touch, creamy coleslaw, perhaps with a hint of Dijon mustard, is a delicious side dish to consider.

Bowl of coleslaw

More Delicious Sides and Main Dishes

Garlic Zucchini Parmesan – This flavor-packed side dish stands up well to the wonderful flavors of anything it’s served with. In fact, it pretty much goes with anything.

garlic zucchini parmesan

Hush Puppies – These deep-fried cornmeal balls are a traditional side dish in the South and pair amazingly well with dirty rice. This southern hushpuppies recipe from Julia’s Simply Southern will knock your socks off!

Chicken Wings – For those who can’t get enough of Cajun spices, spicy chicken wings with chili powder and brown sugar can be an exciting addition to the main meal. If you’re serving a large group, leave them plain and let everyone add their own seasoning.

chicken wings

For those looking to serve a lighter side, a green salad or fruit salad is always a delicious option. If you’re a bean lover, consider serving side dishes like Cajun beans, black beans, or even classic red beans.

Tips for First-Time Dirty Rice Cooks

If it’s your first time preparing this classic Cajun dish, remember that a simple and easy dirty rice recipe is the best way to start. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many ingredients. Focus on quality over quantity.

For leftover dirty rice, store it in the fridge in an airtight container. The next time you serve it, consider trying new recipes for side dishes or even turning it into a pot meal with added chicken thighs or ground meat.

Wrapping Up

Dirty rice is more than just a rice pilaf; it’s a journey through the Cajun and Creole world. Whether you’re prepping for family dinners or just looking for delicious recipes to add to your favorite rice recipes, dirty rice with the right main and side dishes can become a regular on your dining table.

bowl of dirty rice with garnish

So the next time you’re in the mood for some classic southern comfort, whip up some dirty rice with a little Cajun seasoning. Next, pick a couple of side dishes from the list above, and treat yourself to a delicious Cajun meal.

Please feel free to share!