Instant Pot Vegan Dirty Rice (Stove Top Option)

This Instant Pot Vegan Dirty Rice recipe is an easy and delicious one pot meal that’s a spin on a Southern classic. Can be made whole food plant based oil free and can be made on the stove. 

Many times people think that Southern recipes have to be the hardest recipes to make vegan. And sometimes that is true. However, this Instant Pot vegan dirty rice is one recipe that isn’t hard at all.

Luckily, we are living in a time where vegan meat substitutes are readily available and there are options everywhere. 

Thus, making southern classics, like Louisiana creole dirty rice is easy to recreate into a vegan dinner recipe.

The instant pot is our preferred method for this dish because of the quick prep time and minimal time standing over a stove. We love that there’s only about 10 minutes of time prepping this dish and the rest of the time it’s cooking. 

If you’re looking for a vegan dish for Mardi Gras, Lent, or just a random family dinner idea, then this is the recipe for you!

What is dirty rice?

This classic Louisiana Creole dish has been a classic since at least the late 1700s. It dates back to a time when enslaved people were allowed to have rice and other undesirable cuts of meat. When combined and cooked together, the white rice would turn brown and thus how this dish received its name apparently.

It remained a popular dish because of the affordable nature of the ingredients and how easy it is to make. While traditionally made with animal organs, as the dish grew in popularity, more expensive cuts of meat like sausage and beef were added.

Today, this dish has many variations, including the spices and additional ingredients.

This is also sometimes known as vegan cajun rice.

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What ingredients do you need for instant pot vegan dirty rice?

This recipe needs 15 ingredients to make from start to finish. 

• vegetable broth
• bay leaves
• brown rice
• olive oil (or more vegetable stock)
• vegan beefless crumbles 
• vegan chick’n 
• vegan sausage
• red onion
• celery  
• green bell pepper
• garlic
• salt 
• creole cajun 
• dried thyme 
• green onions 

Full amounts listed below in the printable recipe card. 

Can I make this whole foods plant based, no oil recipe?

We know that some people prefer not to eat vegan mock meat and would prefer other whole foods options.  You can substitute those vegan meats and the oil to make this a WFPB-No Oil Dinner recipe. 

In order to do that you would want to replace all the meats with things like red beans, mushrooms, tofu, or even chickpeas.  

The oil can just be replaced with more vegetable stock. 

Is this Instant Pot vegan dirty rice spicy?

Creole seasoning does have some spice to it but this dish as a whole is not very spicy. 

If you do swap the creole seasoning for cajun seasoning you may want to use less. 

How do I make this vegan dirty rice on the stove top?

You do not need an Instant Pot!   While this is the preferred method because of the easy prep and not standing over the stove, you can make this on the stove.

You want to make your rice first according to the package instructions on your rice. Use the vegetable stock instead of water. Depending on your package you may need to increase or decrease the amount of stock called for in the recipe.

While that is cooking, chop your vegetables. 

Then, proceed with the recipe in a large skillet by sautéing the vegetables, adding in the seasoning, and then the vegan meat options. Once your rice is done add that in and stir to combine. 

You add the vegetable stock in while making the rice and not in with skillet ingredients. Add a splash of stock if needed while cooking on the skillet.

Can I prep this Instant Pot vegan dirty rice ahead of time?

Yes!  This can be made ahead of time.  In fact, if you store it in an air tight container, this can be stored for up to 7 days.  It’s absolutely perfect for those of you who meal prep. 

DO I HAVE TO USE BROWN RICE?

You do not have to use brown rice.  However, if you do use white rice in this recipe, you need to reduce the time to 10 minutes on manual instead of 25. 

Can this be a Top 8 Allergy Free dirty rice recipe?

Depending on the brand of vegan meat that you use, you may have to watch out for soy, wheat, or coconut. 

However, you can follow the instructions for making this dish whole foods plant based above and then it would be Top 8 Allergen Free. 

What are other vegan Instant Pot recipes I should try?

The Instant Pot is one of our favorite appliances and we have been sharing more and more ways to use it.  Here are some other vegan Instant Pot recipes that we have:

• Instant Pot Vegan Taco Soup
• Instant Pot Vegan Split Pea Soup
• Vegan Tex Mex Rice (pictured above)
• Instant Pot Vegan Black Bean Soup
• Instant Pot Vegan Garlic Turmeric Rice

Pin this Instant Pot vegan dirty rice for later!

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This post was originally shared on 2/17/2020 and updated on 2/28/2022.