Rice Dressing is one of those comforting, crowd-pleasing side dishes that feels right at home on your table, especially during the holidays. My easy Southern-style version uses wild rice, sausage, and savory herbs to create a flavorful alternative to traditional stuffing. Ready in just 30 minutes.
I love making stuffing as a side for not just turkey, but it is great for chicken and pork too. Try these Easy Cornbread Stuffing Recipe and my Sourdough Bread Stuffing.
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Why this Rice Dressing Recipe is a Keeper
There’s a reason this wild rice dressing makes repeat appearances at the dinner table. It’s so easy, flavorful and flexible.
- Flavorful and Hearty: This is a one-pan meal that is packed with deep, savory flavor. The combination of seasoned ground meat, aromatic vegetables, and fluffy rice creates a satisfying and comforting dish.
- Cost-Effective: Rice is a budget-friendly staple, and this recipe makes a little bit of meat go a long way. It’s a great way to feed a crowd without breaking the bank.
- Versatility: You can easily adapt this recipe to use whatever meat, vegetables, or seasonings you have on hand, making it a “clean out the fridge” champion.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: This dish actually tastes even better the next day, as the flavors have time to meld together.
What is the Difference Between Dirty Rice and Rice Dressing?
The difference between classic Louisiana rice dressing and dirty rice is that rice dressing is usually milder and made with a cooked rice base mixed with sausage, veggies, and seasonings. Dirty rice is made usually with organ meat like pork livers or chicken gizzards and is heavily seasoned, giving it its signature “dirty” appearance and bolder flavor.
Pro Tip for this Skillet Rice Dressing
Use bacon grease instead of butter to sauté your veggies, it’s an easy way to level up the savory depth and gives the dish a more traditional Southern taste.
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Ingredient Notes for Louisiana Rice Dressing
You only need a few easy-to-find ingredients and a few pantry staples to deliver big flavor to this southern rice dish.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Wild Rice: Adds great texture and a nutty flavor; long grain white or brown rice also work.
- Seasoning: Poultry Seasoning brings that holiday stuffing flavor with one easy step. All Purpose Seasoning will add all the other classic spices. Feel free to substitute in your favorite Cajun Seasoning or creole seasoning.
- Sausage: Breakfast sausage gives a mild, savory bite. Swap for spicy beef and pork sausage for more kick.
- Dried Cranberries: They balance out the savory flavors beautifully.
Variations and Substitutions for the Rice Stuffing
This southern Louisiana rice dish is super adaptable based on what you have on hand or your flavor preferences.
- Protein: While ground pork sausage is traditional, you can substitute it with ground beef, ground turkey sausage, or a combination of meats. For a vegetarian version, use crumbled plant-based sausage or more mushrooms or turnips.
- Vegetables: The “holy trinity” of onion, celery and green bell pepper or red bell pepper is a must, but you can add other vegetables like carrots for extra flavor and texture.
- Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, a dash of hot sauce or your favorite classic Cajun spice blend.
- Richness: For an authentic, deep flavor, some traditional recipes call for a small amount of liver spread.
- Add-ins: A little bit of fresh parsley or green onions stirred in at the end adds a fresh, vibrant flavor and a pop of color.
- Change the Rice: Any long-grain rice works—just adjust liquid and cook time as needed.
Special Equipment Needed
No special tools are needed, just a good skillet and a saucepan. A few extras make prep even easier:
- Non-Stick Skillet: Helps brown sausage evenly and makes cleanup easy.
- Rice Cooker (optional): Set-it-and-forget-it if you’re cooking wild rice separately.
How to Make Rice Dressing
This recipe comes together in just 3 quick and easy steps. This easy rice dressing recipe is so good, it’s a great one to have on deck during the busy holiday season.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cook Rice and Veggies: Cook the rice in the chicken stock with the poultry seasoning. Then in a skillet, cook the onion, celery and mushrooms in butter. Remove veggies from pan and set everything aside.
- Cook the Sausage: Add the sausage to the skillet. Cook and crumble the sausage until done.
- Assemble the Dressing: Mix together the cooked rice, veggies and sausage. Stir in the All Purpose Seasoning, garlic and dried cranberries.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for the Side Dish
Get a head start to make dinner even easier.
- Cook the Rice: Make the wild rice up to 2 days in advance and store in the fridge.
- Chop the Veggies: Dice onions, celery, and garlic ahead of time and refrigerate in an airtight container.
- Brown the Sausage: Cook and crumble sausage the day before. Reheat it quickly when ready to combine.
Alternate Cooking Methods for this Sausage Casserole
If you’re looking for flexibility or want to keep your stovetop free, try:
- Slow Cooker (Crock-Pot): This method is perfect for a hands-off approach, especially if you’re making a large batch for a gathering or to have leftovers for the week.
- Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot): This is the fastest method and a great option if you need to get a flavorful, complex dish on the table in a fraction of the time.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
Leftovers make a great meal on their own, or use them creatively.
- Store: Store any leftover rice dressing in a covered, airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat: Reheat leftovers in the microwave, in a skillet on the stovetop or in a casserole dish in the oven. If the rice seems a little dry, add a splash of water or beef broth to rehydrate it.
- Use Leftovers: Use the leftover rice dressing as a savory filling for bell peppers.
- Burrito Bowls: Serve it as the base for a hearty bowl with sour cream, salsa, and cheese.
- Breakfast Scramble: Reheat a portion and mix it into a morning scramble with eggs and cheese for a satisfying breakfast.
Common Questions About This Perfect Side Dish Recipe
Sure, feel free to use leftover white rice to make this delicious rice dressing.
If your dressing came out too mushy or soggy, it may be because the rice was too soggy or you added too much extra liquid.
Expert Tips for Making Wild Rice Stuffing Recipe
- Don’t Forget the Seasoning: Be sure to season each component as you go: the meat, the vegetables, and the rice. This layering of flavor is what makes the dish so good.
- Crispy Bits are Good: When browning the meat, don’t be afraid to let it get a little brown and crispy on the bottom of the pan. This adds an incredible amount of flavor (what chefs call “fond”) that will be scraped up and incorporated into the final dish.
- Taste as You Go: Always taste the mixture before serving and adjust the salt, pepper, and seasonings as needed.
- Serve With: Serve at Christmas with Jiffy Cornbread Dressing, Slow Roasted Turkey Breast or Grandma’s Old Fashioned Fudge.
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Rice Dressing
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Wild rice
- 2 ¼ cups Chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Poultry seasoning
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 pound Sausage, cooked & crumbled
- 1 Onion, diced
- 2 stalks Celery, diced
- 16 ounces Mushrooms, sliced
- 1 teaspoon All purpose seasoning
- 3 Tablespoons Garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Dried cranberries
Instructions
- Cook the rice in the broth and 1 teaspoon of poultry seasoning.
- In a skillet cook the onion, celery, and mushrooms in butter until tender.
- Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Add the sausage to the skillet and cook until done, making sure it is thoroughly crumbled.
- Mix the rice, sausage, and veggies together.
- Add in the seasonings and dry cranberries, stirring until well combined.
Christina’s Notes
- Pick the Right Rice: Wild or long grain works best—avoid short grain which can get mushy.
- Add Layers of Flavor: Cook veggies in bacon grease or add liver spread for Southern depth.
- Prep Ahead: Make the rice or sausage ahead to cut down on cook time.
- Make It Your Own: Add bell peppers, mushrooms, or even jalapeños for your personal twist.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.