Vegan Cajun Dirty Rice

This vegan Cajun dirty rice is a super easy yet satisfying meal that's just perfect for a busy weeknight. It's made with vegan sausage, loads of bell peppers and Cajun seasoning for an extra flavorful treat.

If you love one-pan rice dishes, this vegan Cajun dirty rice should be on your list of things to try! This is a veganized version of a traditional recipe that's typically made with chicken livers and/ or sausages.

I used plant-based sausages to make this meatless dirty rice, and the result was amazingly flavorful and tasty. This vegan dirty rice has a great mix of proteins, carbs and veggies for a balanced meal the entire family will love.

I used a shop-bought Cajun seasoning mix to keep things simple, but you can definitely use your favorite homemade blend if you like.

Why you'll love this vegan cajun dirty rice

• You get a complete, balanced meal in 40 minutes using just one pot.
• It's a budget-friendly meal that you can whip up with just a handful of ingredients.
• You can easily make it your own by adding extra veggies or making it with canned lentils and beans instead of plant-based sausages.

Ingredients and substitutions

Olive oil - I used olive oil to saute the veggies because I always have a bottle in the kitchen, but canola oil or any other vegetable oil would work.

Plant-based sausages - Use your favorite here - I went with the Richmond Meat Free Vegan sausages.

Onion + celery - Dice the onion and celery into small pieces so they cook quickly.

Bell peppers - A mix of red and green bell peppers adds extra vibrancy to this Cajun dirty rice, but you can definitely use whatever colors you may have on hand.

Garlic - Freshly chopped garlic is best for flavor in this rice dish.

Cajun seasoning - I added two full tablespoons of Cajun seasoning, and that resulted in a medium-spiced dish. The spiciness level of the Cajun seasoning may vary from one brand to another.

Rice - Basmati rice is perfect for this one-pan dish, but you can substitute it with any type of long rice. Don't use risotto rice because it's too starchy for this dish.

Vegetable stock - Some Cajun seasoning mixes have salt in them, so it's best to use low-sodium vegetable stock and adjust the seasoning at the end.

How to make vegan dirty rice

Heat the olive oil in a large, deep pan that has a lid and fry the sausages for 4-5 minutes over medium heat until slightly crispy.

Add the onion, celery and bell pepper and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.

Stir in the garlic, cook for another minute, and then add the Cajun seasoning. Stir to combine, then add the rice and toast it for 1 minute, stirring often.

Add the vegetable stock, bring to a boil, then lower the heat, cover with a lid and simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is al dente.

Stir in the fresh parsley, season to taste and serve immediately.

Leftovers and storage

• Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
• Reheat the rice in the microwave or on the stovetop until piping hot.
• You can freeze this vegan dirty rice for up to 1 month. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Recipe notes and tips

• Use canned lentils instead of plant-based sausages. Drain and rinse them, and add them to the pan with the bell peppers.
• Add some red kidney beans for extra protein and texture.
• This dirty vegan rice is filling enough on its own, but you can also serve it with a side of steamed green beans, corn on the cob or coleslaw.

If you liked this vegan Cajun dirty rice recipe, you might also like some of my other easy vegan rice recipes:

• Vegan Spanish Chickpeas and Rice
• Vegan Wild Rice Soup (Instant Pot)
• Spanakorizo (Greek Spinach and Rice)
• Instant Pot Chickpea Rice Soup
• Greek Lemon Rice

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