What sauce goes well with shrimp and rice?

Several sauces pair beautifully with shrimp dirty rice. Try Cajun remoulade, spicy garlic butter, Creole tomato gravy, or a tangy lemon herb vinaigrette. These sauces enhance the shrimp's sweetness while balancing the spicy, savory rice. For milder palettes, a simple garlic aioli works wonders too.

What do they put in dirty rice?

Traditional dirty rice includes long-grain white rice, onion, bell pepper, celery, ground meat (like pork or liver), sausage, garlic, black pepper, thyme, Cajun seasoning, and green onions. Shrimp dirty rice builds on this base by adding sweet, tender shrimp and enhancing the flavor with Worcestershire sauce and hot pepper sauce

Why is dirty rice called dirty?

The name “dirty rice” comes from the dish’s appearance. As the rice cooks with ground meat, sausage, liver, and spices, it takes on a “dirty” brown color. The speckled look is a result of all the bold seasonings and ingredients that give the dish its deep, rich flavor—especially when making shrimp dirty rice with smoky sausage and the Holy Trinity of vegetables

Can shrimp go in dirty rice?

Absolutely. Shrimp is a fantastic addition to traditional dirty rice, bringing sweetness and a tender bite that complements the bold, savory flavors of sausage, rice, and spices. Using small cooked shrimp or fresh Gulf shrimp can elevate your dirty rice into a full meal. It’s one of the most popular ways to add protein while keeping the dish light and flavorful

Shrimp Dirty Rice – The Best 1-Pot Spicy Recipe Ever!

Name: Shrimp Dirty Rice: The Bold, Spicy Southern Comfort Classic
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 12 ounces small cooked salad shrimp; 8 ounces fresh Andouille sausage; 1 cup onion, chopped; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 1 cup celery, diced; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves; 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped; 2 teaspoons Cajun spice; 4 cups long grain white rice, cold cooked; 1 cup green onion, chopped; 1/2 cup hot water; 2 teaspoons chicken base or bouillon; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 1 tablespoon Louisiana hot pepper sauce (optional)

Description

A bold and flavorful Southern classic, Shrimp Dirty Rice combines tender shrimp, spicy Andouille sausage, Cajun spices, and perfectly cooked rice in a one-skillet dish that’s hearty, easy to make, and packed with tradition.

Ingredients

Scale

12 ounces small cooked salad shrimp
8 ounces fresh Andouille sausage
1 cup onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
2 teaspoons Cajun spice
4 cups long grain white rice, cold cooked
1 cup green onion, chopped
1/2 cup hot water
2 teaspoons chicken base or bouillon
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Louisiana hot pepper sauce (optional)

Instructions

Brown sausage in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add chopped onion, diced bell pepper, and celery to the pan. Cook until vegetables are soft and lightly caramelized.
Season with black pepper, thyme, garlic, and Cajun spice while cooking.
In a small bowl, stir hot water with chicken base to blend. Add Worcestershire sauce and hot pepper sauce (if using).
Pour the seasoning mixture into the skillet.
Add cooked shrimp, cold white rice, and chopped green onions.
Mix well and continue cooking until the rice is hot and the liquid is fully absorbed.
Serve warm, garnished with extra green onions if desired.

Notes

Use day-old rice for best texture and to avoid mushiness.
Add the shrimp at the end to prevent overcooking.
Make your own Cajun seasoning to control salt and heat levels.
This recipe is freezer-friendly—store in portioned containers for up to 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 480
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 1050mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 180mg

Keywords: shrimp dirty rice, Cajun rice, dirty rice recipe, Southern shrimp rice, Creole rice, shrimp and sausage rice, one-pot rice meals