Rice and Gravy
Rice and Gravy with dirty rice is a hearty, one-pot-style comfort dish from the American South, particularly Louisiana and Cajun/Creole cuisine. It typically features white rice cooked in a rich, savory gravy often made with pan drippings, onions, celery, and bell peppers, mixed with ground meat (like beef or pork) and sometimes liver, which gives 'dirty rice' its characteristic color and name.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in carbohydrates from the rice and moderate in protein from the meat, with a significant amount of fat depending on the gravy and meat used. It provides iron, B vitamins, and some fiber, with a rough calorie ballpark of 400-600 calories per generous serving.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbs | 45 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
| Iron | 4.5 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Phosphorus | 200 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 6 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.4 mg |
| Magnesium | 45 mg |
| Zinc | 3 mg |
| Selenium | 15 mcg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it's a staple of Cajun and Creole cooking, reflecting a resourceful use of ingredients like organ meats to create deep flavor, and it's often served at family gatherings or as a comforting weeknight meal. Nutritionally, the inclusion of liver in traditional dirty rice adds a boost of iron and vitamin A, making it more nutrient-dense than plain rice dishes.
