Shrimp Dirty Rice

A flavorful Southern-inspired one-pan dish made with tender shrimp, seasoned rice, aromatic vegetables, and Cajun spices. It’s hearty enough for a main course and comes together with simple pantry ingredients.

🍤 Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1½ cups (300 g) long-grain white rice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 celery stalks, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups chicken or seafood broth
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1½ teaspoons Cajun or Creole seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Season the Shrimp

Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.

Season with ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning, paprika, and a little black pepper.

Set aside.

2. Sauté the Vegetables

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery.

Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

3. Toast the Rice

Add the uncooked rice to the skillet.

Stir for 1–2 minutes, allowing the rice to lightly toast and absorb the flavors from the vegetables.

Stir in the tomato paste.

4. Add the Seasonings and Broth

Add the remaining Cajun seasoning, thyme, oregano, onion powder, cayenne, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper.

Pour in the broth and stir well.

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

5. Cook the Rice

Reduce the heat to low.

Cover the skillet and simmer for approximately 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Avoid repeatedly lifting the lid while the rice cooks.

6. Add the Shrimp

Arrange the seasoned shrimp over the cooked rice.

Cover again and cook for 4–6 minutes, until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.

Don’t overcook them or they can become rubbery.

7. Finish the Dish

Remove the bay leaf.

Gently fluff the rice with a fork and mix the shrimp throughout.

Add lemon juice and taste for seasoning.

Garnish with sliced green onions and fresh parsley.

Serve hot.

⭐ Tips for the Best Shrimp Dirty Rice

• Use long-grain rice for separate, fluffy grains.
• Rinse the rice before cooking if you prefer less starch.
• Don’t overcook the shrimp.
• Adjust the cayenne according to your preferred spice level.
• Seafood stock can add even more shrimp flavor.
• Let the cooked rice sit covered for 5 minutes before fluffing for the best texture.

🌶️ Optional Additions

For a heartier version, add:

• Smoked sausage
• Andouille sausage
• Diced chicken
• Ground beef
• Chopped mushrooms
• Jalapeños
• Extra bell peppers

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Serve with:

• Cornbread
• Collard greens
• Green beans
• Coleslaw
• Roasted vegetables
• A simple green salad

⏱️ Recipe Details

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: About 45 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Method: One-pan skillet
Difficulty: Easy