• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Vegan Richa
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • (new) Recipe Filters
    • Popular Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch / Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Indian
    • Instant Pot
    • Burgers
    • Pizza
    • Recipe Index
  • Videos
    • Instant Pot
    • Dessert
    • Holidays
    • Easy Vegan Meals
    • All Recipe Videos
  • CookBooks
    • Vegan Richa’s Instant Pot Cookbook(PREORDER NOW)
    • Vegan Richa’s Everyday Kitchen (Print & Digital)
    • Vegan Richa’s Indian Kitchen (Print & Digital)
  • Resources
    • How To Start A Food Blog
    • Resources for Food Bloggers
    • Vegan Subs & Resources
    • Our Vegan Journey and FAQs
    • Indian Pantry
    • Indian Dal / Lentil Names
  • Shop
  • About / Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • CookBooks
  • Shop
  • About
  • NEW! Instant Pot Cookbook
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Comfort Food Recipes

    Cajun Dirty Rice

    Published: Mar 10, 2023 by Richa 14 Comments

    Jump to Recipe   Print Recipe

    This vegan Cajun Dirty Rice is an easy one-pot dish that can be enjoyed as a main or side and can be made days in advance. Gluten-free Nutfree Recipe soyfree option

    a plate of vegan cajun dirty rice with a golden fork on the side

    Here’s a super easy one-pot rice dish with amazing flavor payoff! This delicious Cajun Dirty Rice is bursting with flavor thanks to fried veggie crumbles and a delcious Cajun spice blend.

    This is the type of dish that you can have as a main or as a side dish.

    a frying pan with Cajun dirty rice topped with chopped cilantro

    What is Dirty Rice?

    Dirty rice is generally cooked with meat. As a result, the rice looks “dirty” as the fried meat adds some darkness.

    Here we cook everything in one pot and we start by sauteeing the veggie crumbles, which are our vegan substitute for meat.

    a plate of vegan cajun dirty rice sprinkled with chopped cilantro

    More rice dishes:

    Baked Mushroom Rice

    Tex Mex Rice Casserole

    Baked Kitchari Casserole (Spiced Lentil Rice Casserole)

     Baked Chana Pulao: Spiced Chickpea Rice Casserole

    Print Recipe
    5 from 8 votes

    1 Pan Vegan Cajun Dirty Rice

    This vegan Cajun Dirty Rice is an easy one-pot dish that can be enjoyed as a main or side and can be made days in advance.  Gluten-free Nutfree recipe. Soyfree option
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time45 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cajun rice, vegan cajun rice
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 245kcal
    Author: Vegan Richa

    Ingredients

    • 2 teaspoons oil
    • 1-1.5 cups (80 g) veggie crumbles , crumbles veggie burger, TVP, or crumbled veggie sausage, 7 oz
    • 3/4 cup chopped onion
    • 1 bell pepper chopped (or 1 cup chopped mix of colored pepper red green orange )
    • 3/4 cup chopped celery
    • 1 cup (185 g) white rice, I use basmati
    • 2 teaspoons paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon thyme
    • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 tablespoon or more cajun seasoning
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 2 cups (500 ml) water or broth
    • Parsley and lime juice for garnish

    Instructions

    • Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil and the veggie crumbles / crumbled veggie sausage and cook for 3-5 minutes or until golden on some of the edges.
    • Then add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and a good pinch of salt and stir. Continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes. Then add in the rice and mix in. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to toast the rice nicely.
    • Add in all the spices and salt and mix in. Add the water or broth and the bay leaves if using and mix in. Cover the skillet with the lid, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 13-17 minutes, depending on your stove and the thickness and depth of your skillet.
    • Once all the water is absorbed, check if the rice is cooked to your preference, if not close the lid again and continue to cook for a few more minutes.
    • As soon as the rice is cooked, switch off the heat. Let the rice sit for 2 minutes and open the lid. Fluff the rice really well and serve topped with parsley and lime juice. Serve the rice as it is or top it with some cajun-rubbed crispy baked tofu.

    Notes

    Store: refrigerate in a closed container for upto 3 days.
    Frequently asked questions.
    • Soyfree: use Soyfree crumbles or Use lentils instead of veggie crumbles. Add cooked lentils in the first step and cook for 3-5 minutes. Add 1/4 teaspoon of fennel seeds, 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika with the lentils.
    • Brown Rice: Use precooked brown Rice, add to the pan with just 1/4 cup of water/stock. Mix well, cover and cook for 5 mins. Fluff and serve. 

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    1 Pan Vegan Cajun Dirty Rice
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 245 Calories from Fat 36
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 4g6%
    Saturated Fat 0.4g3%
    Sodium 405mg18%
    Potassium 289mg8%
    Carbohydrates 45g15%
    Fiber 4g17%
    Sugar 3g3%
    Protein 8g16%
    Vitamin A 1530IU31%
    Vitamin C 41mg50%
    Calcium 43mg4%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    a plate of cajun dirty rice topped with cilantro

    Ingredients:

    • I made this dish with storebought veggie crumbles, but you could also use TVP, or crumbled veggie sausage
    • fresh veggies: add chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery
    • white rice, I like to use basmati rice for this recipe
    • for seasoning this dish, I like a blend of paprika, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cajun seasoning, salt, black pepper, bay leaves

    Tips:

    • Soyfree: Use lentils instead of veggie crumbles. Add the cooked lentils in the first step and cook for 3-5 minutes. Add 1/4 teaspoon of fennel seeds, 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of smoked paprika alongside the lentils.
    • You can serve this topped with Cajun-rubbed crispy baked tofu.

     

    How to make Vegan Cajun Dirty Rice:

    veggie crumbles being fried in a sauteeing pan

    Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil and the veggies crumbles / crumbled veggie sausage. Mix and cook for 3-5 minutes until golden on some of the edges.

    veggie crumbles being sauteed in a frying pan with a wooden spoon


    Then add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and a good pinch of salt and stir. Continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes.

    chopped veggies being added to a frying pan with veggie crumbles

    Then add in the rice and mix in. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to toast the rice nicely.

    a frying pan with Cajun Dirty Rice with a wooden spoon

    Add in all the spices and salt and mix in. Add the water or broth and the bay leaves if using and mix in.

    Cover the skillet with the lid, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 13-17 minutes, depending on your stove and the thickness and depth of your skillet.

    a frying pan with veggies and rice with a wooden spoon on the side

    Once all the water is absorbed, check if the rice is cooked to your preference, if not close the lid again and continue to cook for a few more minutes.

    a sauteeing pan with veggies veggie crumbles and added broth on a stovetop

    As soon as the rice is cooked, switch off the heat. Let the rice sit for 2 minutes and open the lid. Fluff the rice really well and serve topped with parsley and lime juice.

    Serve the rice as it is or top it with some cajun-rubbed crispy baked tofu.

    a pan with vegan cajun rice topped with cilantro

    Storage:

    Refrigerate this dish in a closed container for up to 3 days. You can freeze leftover rice in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

    Reheating:

    For reheating, pop the rice in the microwave and cover it loosely with a lid  in a microwave-safe container.  Microwave for 2-3 minutes. Then remove the bowl and break up the rice chunks with a fork. Return everything to the microwave for 1-2 minutes or more.

    side view of a plate with vegan dirty Cajun rice topped with chopped cilantro leaves

    overhead shot of a plate with vegan dirty rice topped with chopped cilantro leaves

     

    .

    Sharing is caring!

    Share on Pinterest Share on Facebook Share on WhatsApp Share on Twitter Share on Email
    « Mushroom Patiala (Mushrooms in Spicy Yogurt Sauce)
    Dhaba Rajma Masala Recipe – Instant Pot Kidney Bean Curry »


    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ If you Love the Recipe, Please consider rating it using stars in comments! It helps readers and helps more people find the recipe online! I love hearing from you all! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment and Rating Cancel reply

      If you Love the Recipe, Please consider rating it using stars in comments! It helps readers and helps more people find the recipe online and I love hearing from you all!

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Paige

      March 16, 2023 at 10:13 am

      Oh my goodness!!! This was amazing. I was looking for something like chicken fried rice, but without the chicken and frying, and found this recipe. It was so delicious that I made it for dinner yesterday and am making it again now. I told my kids that I would pay money at a restaurant for this! Soooo good!!

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        March 17, 2023 at 9:44 pm

        wow, thank you!! don’t forget to rate it as well!

        Reply
    2. Stephanie

      March 15, 2023 at 6:58 am

      5 stars
      Easy and delicious! Wrapped the rice in a burrito and even my pickiest eater enjoyed. Used Old Bay seasoning instead of cajun spice (didn’t have any) and didn’t add any salt since Old Bay is on the salty side; used yellow and orange bell peppers and vegan chorizo crumbles.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        March 15, 2023 at 8:07 pm

        yay!

        Reply
    3. Sabrina

      March 14, 2023 at 10:10 am

      5 stars
      So good and so easy! This will become a regular in our meal rotation.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        March 15, 2023 at 8:15 pm

        yay! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Deb S

      March 13, 2023 at 10:21 am

      5 stars
      Very delicious! Added some peas just for fun. Highly recommend!!

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        March 15, 2023 at 8:16 pm

        yum! great addition.

        Reply
    5. Lara

      March 13, 2023 at 9:39 am

      5 stars
      I made this exactly as written (though doubled it so as to have extra for lunches) and it was so freaking good! Your recipes never fail to be delicious and I am thankful to have so many of them in my rotation. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        March 15, 2023 at 8:17 pm

        yay, thank you!

        Reply
    6. janet

      March 10, 2023 at 9:47 am

      5 stars
      Love this. I’m wondering if this could be made in the Instant Pot though.

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        March 11, 2023 at 5:14 pm

        yes!

        Reply
    7. Huong

      March 10, 2023 at 8:39 am

      5 stars
      Thank you Richa

      Reply
      • Vegan Richa Support

        March 11, 2023 at 5:15 pm

        thank YOU for making it!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Richa! I create flavorful plant based recipes that are inspired by my Indian upbringing, including many gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free options.

    More about me →

    Amazon // Barnes & Noble // BAM! // Chapter Indigo // International
    vegan richa cookbook flavor companion
    My exclusive 16 Spice Set
    Vegan Richa's Everyday Kitchen Cookbook Now Available everywhere where Books are Sold | VeganRicha.com
    Amazon // Barnes & Noble // BAM! // Chapter Indigo // International

    FOLLOW US

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Vegan Richa 's Indian Kitchen Cookbook

    Amazon || Barnes & Noble || BAM! || IndieBound || Details & International

    Popular

    • 18 Best Vegan Recipes of 2022
    • Vegan Tofu Nuggets
    • Best Easy Vegan Recipes of 2021
    • Restaurant Style Aloo Gobi

    Amazon || Barnes & Noble || BAM! || Indigo || Book Depository

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms Of Use
    • Copyright and Disclaimers

    Resources

    • Indian dals/lentils names
    • Indian pantry
    • Our vegan journey
    • Vegan Substitutes

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitter

    Contact

    • Recipe Index
    • My Favorite Things
    • Advertise, Work With Me

    Cookbooks

    • Vegan Richa’s Indian kitchen cookbook
    • Vegan Richa’s Everyday kitchen cookbook 
    • Vegan Richa’s Instant Pot Book

    All content on this blog is owned by Vegan Richa LLC.  Links on some posts are affiliate links for e.g. we are participant in Amazon services LLC Associates program. Vegan Richa is monetized in part through the use of such affiliate links. More Details

    Copyright © 2021 Vegan Richa