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For many people, Bojangles dirty rice recipe is an iconic and beloved comfort food that can bring about feelings of nostalgia and longing. The trademark dish is served exclusively in Bojangles, a famous fast food chain in America that specializes in the best Cajun meals!

Fortunately, people craving delicious dirty rice don't have to drop by the restaurant to get a taste of it. Make it in your own kitchen and bring this classic Southern flavor to your family or guests.

You might ask what makes it dirty rice? Dirty rice is not a bad thing in this case, as it refers to the color of the water with the spices when you are cooking the rice. The best thing about our recipe is that there is plenty of room for you to customize it. Let’s check it out.

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Ingredients
Instructions
Substitutions
Variations
Equipment
Storage and Reheating
Pro Tips
Bojangles Dirty Rice Recipe
Comments

Ingredients

Rice — 3 cups, cooked
Breakfast sausage — 1 pound
Onion — 1 pc., small, minced
Bell pepper — ½ pc., large
Paprika — 1 tbsp.
Black pepper — ½ tsp.
Garlic — 1 tbsp., minced

Our version of Bojangles dirty rice recipe

Instructions

Using a wide skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until they are nicely brown. Break and crumble the sausage as it cooks. This will take about 5-10 minutes.

Add the black pepper, bell pepper, paprika, garlic, and onion to a separate pan. Cook and wait until the vegetables are soft and cooked. Mix thoroughly.

Add the rice to the skillet and change the heat to low. Stir the rice, vegetables, and sausage, ensuring that everything is well combined. Season the dish with salt or add more spices if needed.
Serve the dish immediately or store it in an airtight package or container before placing it inside the refrigerator.

Substitutions

Turkey or ground beef — Those who do not have breakfast sausage can easily substitute turkey or ground beef. The final dish should still taste similar, even without the iconic sausage on the meal. Why not try hamburger meat too?

Brown rice — While white rice is traditional to the Bojangles dirty rice recipe, you can substitute other types of rice for an extra kick. Brown rice can make the dish more flavorful as it has a bolder and richer taste. Make sure to adjust simmering time accordingly to the rice, to ensure it cooks properly.

Cayenne or jalapeno — How about turning up the heat? If you want a spicier kick to your dirty rice recipe, substitute cayenne or jalapeno pepper for the bell pepper. Instead of fresh garlic, you can use garlic powder. If you want more flavor, add chicken broth.

Variations

Bojangles dirty rice and beans — Incorporating beans can make a Bojangles dirty rice recipe livelier! Try adding pintos, black beans, peas, or kidney beans at the end, stirring them together. Then, heat it for an additional 5 minutes or until the mixture is thoroughly hot.

Side dish — The Bojangles dirty rice dish can pair spectacularly well with main dishes like roasted or grilled chicken, fish, and beef. It also complements other Southern dishes as well.

Dirty rice with salad — Of course, this recipe can be a main course dish too. Pair it with salad or other traditional Southern vegetable dishes. It should go well with homemade buttermilk biscuits or a plate of freshly sliced tomatoes.

Equipment

Large skillet

Saucepan

Storage and Reheating

To save your leftovers in the refrigerator, store them in an airtight container. It should be good for up to five days.

Putting it in the freezer can make the dish last up to three months. Thaw the frozen rice overnight and reheat it over medium heat in a skillet.

Pro Tips

Garnish the final dish with freshly chopped green onions for more color and flavor. It can make the dish more appetizing and appealing to eat.

Smoked paprika and cayenne pepper can take the heat up a notch! It will make the dish a touch spicier than usual. If more spice and heat are needed, hot sauce can help.