Description
Cajun Shrimp Sausage Dirty Rice is a bold, flavorful one-pot Southern comfort meal combining smoky Cajun sausage, tender shrimp, and seasoned long grain rice with aromatic vegetables and spices. Quick to prepare and versatile, this dish delivers a satisfying spicy kick while maintaining a perfect balance of savory and fresh flavors, ideal for seafood lovers and fans of Cajun cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice & Broth
- 1 ½ cups long grain rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
Meat & Seafood
- 8 oz Cajun sausage (preferably Andouille), sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
Vegetables
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings & Fats
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil or 2 tbsp butter (divided use)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Peel and devein the shrimp, chop the sausage into bite-sized pieces, and dice the bell peppers, celery, and onion. Mince the garlic and gather your spices to have everything ready for cooking.
- Cook the Sausage and Shrimp: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage pieces and cook until browned and crispy on the edges. Remove and set aside. Cook the shrimp in the same skillet until just pink, then set aside with the sausage.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pan, add butter or additional olive oil and sauté the onion, bell peppers, celery, and garlic until softened and aromatic, about 5 minutes.
- Add Rice and Seasoning: Stir in the rice and Cajun seasoning, coating the rice grains evenly. Toast the rice lightly for 2 minutes to enhance its flavor.
- Cook the Rice: Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a simmer, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until rice is tender and liquid absorbed, about 15-20 minutes.
- Combine and Finish: Stir the cooked sausage and shrimp back into the rice mixture, combine well, and simmer for another 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors before serving.
Notes
- Use Andouille sausage for authentic Cajun flavor and smokiness.
- Do not overcook shrimp; cook only until pink to keep them tender.
- Toast rice before cooking to improve nuttiness and prevent mushiness.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning amount gradually to suit your preferred spice level.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions for brightness and color.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: Cajun shrimp sausage dirty rice, Cajun rice recipe, spicy shrimp rice, southern comfort food, one-pot rice dish