Description
This Shrimp Dirty Rice is a bold and satisfying Southern dish that combines smoky andouille sausage, juicy shrimp, and deeply seasoned rice in a one-pan meal. Perfect for a quick dinner, easy recipe night, or when you’re craving Cajun flavor at home. It’s one of those comfort food ideas that also feels light and balanced. Great for lunchboxes, weekend feasts, or weekday dinners.
Ingredients
8 ounces andouille sausage, sliced
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked
1 small onion, diced
1 rib celery, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
1. Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and cook the sliced sausage until browned. Remove and set aside.
2. Add the diced onion, celery, and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until softened and lightly golden, about 6–8 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic and tomato paste. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add Cajun seasoning, paprika, thyme, and bay leaf. Stir well to coat the vegetables.
5. Add the uncooked rice and stir to combine. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
6. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for about 18 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
7. Nestle the shrimp into the rice, cover again, and cook for 4–5 minutes until shrimp are pink and cooked through.
8. Return sausage to the pan, stir to combine, and fluff rice gently with a fork.
9. Remove bay leaf, stir in parsley and green onions.
10. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot.
Notes
Make sure to brown the sausage well—this step adds extra flavor to the rice.
Don’t lift the lid while the rice cooks, so it steams properly and cooks evenly.
If using large shrimp, slice them in half for better distribution and even cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
Keywords: shrimp dirty rice, easy dinner, Cajun recipe, Southern comfort food, quick dinner, one pot recipe, spicy rice dish