If you are looking for some ideas of what vegetables to serve with dirty rice, then you have come to the right place.
I have rounded up 15 of the best vegetables to eat with dirty rice.
Whether you want to add them to the recipe itself or serve them on the side, they are all delicious choices that will complement your dirty rice perfectly.
What Vegetable Goes with Dirty Rice?
The best vegetables to use in dirty rice are celery, green bell peppers, and onion. You can also add in some garlic for extra flavor. Other vegetables that go well with dirty rice include mushrooms, zucchini, and yellow squash.
Still looking for ideas?
Here are 15 vegetables that go well with dirty rice:
1. Celery
Celery has a character leafy and earthy flavor that I think would work great with dirty rice.
It also has a nice crunch to it that would add some texture to the dish.
How I’d Use This Vegetable With Dirty Rice
I would chop up the celery into small pieces and add it into the dirty rice when I was cooking it.
I think it would go well with the other flavors in the dish.
2. Green Bell Peppers
Green and purple bell peppers have a slightly bitter, grassy flavor, while orange, red and yellow bells are sweeter and fruitier.
All bell peppers are crunchy and slightly watery.
How I’d Use This Vegetable With Dirty Rice
I would add green bell peppers to the dirty rice recipe itself.
I think their slightly bitter, grassy flavor would complement the other flavors in the dish nicely.
Plus, their crunchiness would add a nice contrast in texture.
3. Onion
Onions have a somewhat bitter taste that can add a lot of depth to a dish.
They also have a crunchy texture that can help to add some contrast to a dish.
How I’d Use This Vegetable With Dirty Rice
I would recommend adding onions to the dirty rice itself.
I think they would go well with the other flavors in the dish and help to round it out.
4. Garlic
Garlic is like the superhero of vegetables. It seems to make everything taste better, and dirty rice is no exception.
I love the sharp, pungent flavor that garlic brings to a dish, and the way it adds a bit of zing without being overwhelming.
When it comes to texture, I love the way garlic breaks down when cooked, becoming almost creamy and giving the dish a nice mouthfeel.
How I’d Use This Vegetable With Dirty Rice
I would use garlic in two ways in my dirty rice.
- First, I would add it to the rice itself, along with some other aromatics like onion and celery. This would give the rice a nice flavor base to build on.
- Second, I would use garlic to make a quick and easy pan sauce to drizzle over the finished dish. This would add a nice bright flavor and some extra depth of flavor.
5. Mushrooms
Edible mushrooms have an earthy, slightly woodsy, meaty flavor that makes them a perfect addition to almost any recipe.
They also have a unique texture, with a firm bite that can add a pleasant crunch to your dish.
How I’d Use This Vegetable With Dirty Rice
I would recommend slicing the mushrooms thinly and sautéing them with the other vegetables in the recipe.
This will help them to retain their flavor and texture, and ensure that they are evenly distributed throughout the dish.
6. Zucchini
Although zucchini doesn’t pack a ton of flavor, I like its slightly sweet taste and firm yet tender texture.
This veggie is versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes, both sweet and savory.
How I’d Use This Vegetable With Dirty Rice
I would add diced zucchini to the dirty rice itself.
The zucchini would add a pop of color and a bit of sweetness to the dish.
7. Yellow Squash
Yellow squash tastes sweet, mild with a creamy butter flavor and slightly mushy texture.
I find that it takes on the flavors of whatever it is cooked with very well.
How I’d Use This Vegetable With Dirty Rice
I would add yellow squash to the dirty rice recipe itself.
I think it would complement the other flavors well and add some sweetness and creaminess to the dish.
8. Eggplant
Tender, mild, and sweet with a slight vegetal bitterness, eggplant is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes.
I love the way it absorbs flavors, making it the perfect ingredient for dirty rice.
How I’d Use This Vegetable With Dirty Rice
I would dice the eggplant into small cubes and sauté it with the other vegetables (onion, celery, green bell pepper) before adding the rice.
This would allow the eggplant to soften and absorb all the delicious flavors of the dish.
9. Tomatoes
Tomatoes add a certain freshness and acidity to dishes that can really brighten them up.
I also love their texture – they’re juicy and satisfying to bite into.
How I’d Use This Vegetable With Dirty Rice
I would probably add diced tomatoes into the dirty rice itself.
I think they would go really well with the other flavors in the dish. Plus, they would add a nice pop of color.
10. Corn
Corn is known as a summer vegetable, but you can find it fresh year-round in many places.
I love corn for its sweetness and crunch.
When it’s cooked well, it has a lovely creamy texture that I think would be great in dirty rice.
How I’d Use This Vegetable With Dirty Rice
I would add corn to the dirty rice while it’s cooking.
I think it would be a great addition to the dish because of its sweetness and creamy texture.
11. Lima Beans
Nutty and sweet, lima beans are a great addition to many dishes.
I especially enjoy their texture in dirty rice recipes.
How I’d Use This Vegetable With Dirty Rice
I would add lima beans to the dirty rice recipe itself.
I think they would complement the other flavors well and add an extra layer of texture to the dish.
12. Peas
Peas are little balls of flavor.
They are sweet, but also have a slight bitterness to them.
The texture is firm, but also a little mushy.
I love how they add a pop of color to a dish.
How I’d Use This Vegetable With Dirty Rice
I would add peas to the dirty rice while it is cooking.
I think they would go well with the other flavors in the dish.
13. Broccoli
Broccoli is known for being the boring, healthy vegetable.
But I actually really enjoy the taste and texture of broccoli.
It has a slightly sweet flavor and a crunchy texture that I think would be really good in dirty rice.
How I’d Use This Vegetable With Dirty Rice
I would definitely recommend adding broccoli to your dirty rice recipe.
I think it would add a really nice flavor and crunch to the dish.
You could either add it to the rice itself or serve it on the side.
14. Cauliflower
Cauliflower reminds of a bit of broccoli, but it’s much milder in flavor.
I also find that it has a bit of a nutty flavor to it. As for the texture, I like that it’s a bit crunchy.
How I’d Use This Vegetable With Dirty Rice
I would definitely add this vegetable to the recipe itself.
I think it would go well with the other flavors in the dish.
15. Carrots
Whether you serve these on the side or add them to the recipe, carrots are a delicious way to add a little sweetness and crunch to your dirty rice.
Their natural sweetness helps to balance out the savory flavors of the dish, while their crunchy texture provides a nice contrast to the softer rice.
How I’d Use This Vegetable With Dirty Rice
If you’re looking for a simple way to add carrots to your dirty rice, I would recommend dicing them into small pieces and adding them to the rice along with the other ingredients.
If you want to get a little more creative, you could try shredding the carrots into thin strips and using them as a garnish on top of the dish.
Either way, you’re sure to enjoy the flavor and texture that carrots add to this classic recipe.
What is Dirty Rice?
Dirty rice is a popular dish made with rice that is usually cooked in a mixture of chicken broth, sausage, and spices. It is often served as a main dish, but it can also be a great side dish.