Vegan Dirty Rice — A Cajun Recipe Goes Plant-Based

It might seem far-fetched to transform dirty rice, a classic Cajun recipe, into a tasty vegan dirty rice. But thanks to plant-based sausage and mushrooms, it’s easy to enjoy a “clean” interpretation of the original with this hearty recipe.

Truth be told, I wasn’t really looking forward to attempting to adapt this Cajun classic for a long-ago cookbook of mine. After all, the original is made “dirty” with various items that are, to say the least, unpalatable to vegetarians and vegan, and which I wouldn’t want to even name on a vegan website.

However, after I bit the bullet and tried it, “dirtying” this plant-based adaptation with mushrooms and vegan sausage, I was sold. Boldly seasoned Cajun-style, this is a hearty main dish, great for everyday meals.

Ingredients you’ll need

• Brown rice (long or medium grain; about 1 cup raw)
• Vegetable broth 1 vegetable bouillon cube
• Olive oil
• Onion, 1 large
• Garlic, 2 cloves
• Celery, 2 stalks
• Green bell pepper
• Vegan sausage (2 links; 1/2 of a 14-ounce package)
• Cremini or shiitake mushrooms (or a combination, 6 to 8 ounces)
• Tomatoes (3 medium or 2 large; firm and ripe)
• Dried thyme
• Cajun seasoning or barbecue seasoning
• Cayenne pepper or hot sauce
• Salt and pepper
• Parsley, fresh

What to serve with vegan dirty rice

Serve with an easy coleslaw (try Fruity Red Cabbage Slaw for a nice flavor contrast) and a simply prepared green vegetable. Simply prepared greens are great with this, as are steamed green beans.

Vegan sausage brands to choose from

Beyond, Field Roast, Gardein, Morningstar Farms, No Evil, Tofurky, and The Very Good Butchers all make excellent vegan sausage in an array of flavors and varieties. You may find store brands as well. They’re all good!

You won’t be afraid to find out “how the sausage gets made,” as the saying goes, as the main ingredients are usually vital wheat gluten and/or tofu (be alert, though, if you have gluten or soy sensitivity).

Explore more …

• Fresh shiitake mushroom recipes
• Vegan rice recipes from around the world
• Bountiful Recipes Using Vegan Sausage
• Cremini Mushroom Recipes

Recipe adapted from American Harvest by Nava Atlas. Photos by Hannah Kaminsky, BittersweetBlog.com.

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Yield: 6

Vegan Dirty Rice

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Thanks to plant-based sausage and mushrooms, it’s easy to enjoy a “clean” interpretation of the original with this hearty recipe.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw brown rice, rinsed
• 3 cups vegetable broth or 3 cups water with 1 vegetable bouillon cube
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, finely diced
• 2 links vegan sausage (1/2 of a 14-ounce package), finely chopped
• 6 to 8 ounces cremini or shiitake mushrooms (or a combination), finely chopped
• 3 medium or 2 large firm, ripe tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 to 3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning or barbecue seasoning, to taste
• Cayenne pepper or hot sauce to taste
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish if desired

Instructions

1. Combine the rice and broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a slow
   boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently, covered, until the water absorbed, about 30 minutes. If the rice isn’t done to your liking at that point, add 1/2 cup more broth or water and cook until absorbed; repeat as needed.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet or stir-fry pan. Add the onion, garlic, and celery, and sauté over medium-low heat until all are golden.
3. Add the bell pepper and sauté until somewhat softened. Add the sausage and mushrooms and continue to sauté until the sausage is touched with golden here and there, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and sauté for 2 to 3 longer.
4. If the rice isn’t yet done, remove the skillet from the heat and cover until it’s ready. One the rice is cooked, add it to the pan and stir together with the vegetable mixture.
5. Add the seasonings; go easy on the cayenne or hot sauce — you can
   always pass it around for those who would like more spice. Cook, stirring, until everything is nicely melded, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the parsley, reserving some for garnish if desired, then serve.

Find more vegan main dishes and ways to veganize classic recipes.