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Easy Instant Pot Dirty Rice Ready In Under 30 Minutes

This recipe delivers a rich and savory Instant Pot Dirty Rice in under 30 minutes, perfect for a hearty meal. It combines browned bacon and breakfast sausage with aromatic vegetables and long-grain rice, infused with classic Cajun spices, chicken broth, and savory sauces, all cooked conveniently in a pressure cooker.
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Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine French
Servings 12 people
Calories 2904.7 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Instant Pot Or any electric pressure cooker
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Chef's knife
  • 1 Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula For sautéing and scraping the pot

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 4 oz Bacon chopped
  • 1 lb Breakfast Sausage
  • 1 Medium Onion chopped
  • 1 rib Celery chopped
  • 1/2 Bell Pepper chopped
  • 1 Tbsp Garlic chopped
  • 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 Bay leaf
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 Can Chicken Broth 14 oz
  • 1 1/2 Cups Long Grain Rice
  • 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

Instructions
 

  • Set your Instant Pot to the 'Saute' function. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of rendered fat in the pot.
  • Add the breakfast sausage to the pot with the reserved bacon fat. Break up the sausage with a wooden spoon and cook until fully browned, then drain any excess grease.
  • Stir in the chopped onion, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté these vegetables until they begin to soften, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Add the chopped garlic, Cajun seasoning, bay leaf, and dried thyme to the pot. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
  • Pour in the chicken broth, then use your wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot thoroughly to deglaze and release any browned bits (fond). This step is crucial to prevent a 'BURN' error.
  • Add the long grain rice, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce to the pot. Gently spread the rice evenly and ensure it is submerged in the liquid. Do not stir excessively.
  • Return the cooked bacon to the pot, distributing it over the rice. Do not stir it into the rice to maintain layers and prevent the bottom from scorching.
  • Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, make sure the sealing valve is set to 'Sealing', and pressure cook on 'Manual' or 'Rice' setting for 8 minutes.
  • Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for a 10-minute Natural Pressure Release (NPR), then carefully Quick Release (QR) any remaining pressure.
  • Remove the lid, carefully fluff the dirty rice with a fork, mixing the ingredients, and serve hot.

Notes

Ensure all ingredients are prepped before you start; the process moves quickly. When browning the bacon and sausage, aim for a deep caramelization as this builds the foundational 'dirty' flavor. Deglazing the pot thoroughly after sautéing the aromatics is crucial to prevent a 'BURN' error on your Instant Pot and to incorporate all those flavorful fond bits into the rice. Avoid stirring the rice too much after adding the liquid and before pressure cooking to prevent starch release, which can make the rice gummy. For an enhanced flavor, consider using a high-quality breakfast sausage with a good spice blend. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or green onions before serving for brightness and visual appeal.