Easy Shrimp Dirty Rice Recipe

Looking for a bold, comforting, and totally satisfying dinner that won’t take all night to cook? This Easy Shrimp Dirty Rice recipe is exactly what your weeknight needs. It’s packed with flavor, made in just one pan, and hits all those Southern-style cravings in a lighter, seafood-forward way. With juicy Cajun-seasoned shrimp, tender rice, and aromatic vegetables, it brings all the comfort of traditional dirty rice—without the heavy prep or cleanup.

If you’ve ever had classic dirty rice before, you know it usually involves ground meats, strong seasonings, and the holy trinity of Cajun cooking: onion, bell pepper, and celery. This version keeps that soulful base but lightens things up by swapping out some of the meat for shrimp. Trust me, the shrimp soaks up the Cajun flavors beautifully and gives this dish a fresher spin while still being super hearty and filling.

I love recipes like this that feel like a hug in a bowl. It’s one of those dishes that always gets scraped clean from the skillet—no leftovers in sight. And even if you’re not super familiar with cooking Southern-style food, this one is easy enough for anyone to master on the first try.

Let’s dive right in, and I’ll walk you through each step of the process so you can get this flavorful dish on the table in about 40 minutes.

Building Flavor – Shrimp & Veggie Base

Before we start throwing things into the skillet, make sure you have everything prepped and ready to go. This is a fast-moving recipe once you begin, so having your ingredients chopped, measured, and within arm’s reach makes a big difference.

Step 1: Season and Cook the Shrimp

Start by seasoning 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp with:

• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

• Salt and pepper to taste

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s nice and hot, add the shrimp in a single layer.

Cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes per side, just until they turn pink and opaque. Be careful not to overcook them—they’ll get tough quickly. Once done, remove the shrimp from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.

This step only takes a few minutes, but it’s crucial to developing that smoky Cajun flavor right off the bat.

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Step 2: Sauté the Cajun Trinity

In the same skillet (don’t clean it out—those browned bits = flavor!), melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the following finely chopped vegetables:

• 1 small onion

• 1 green bell pepper

• 2 celery stalks

Sauté everything together for about 5 minutes, or until the veggies are nice and soft. This is where the base flavor of the dish starts to take shape.

I like to keep the heat at medium so nothing burns while the veggies cook down and release their natural sweetness. This is your flavor foundation—don’t rush it.

Step 3: Spice It Up and (Optionally) Add Sausage

Now for the magic.

Stir in:

• 3 minced garlic cloves

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (feel free to adjust this if you want more or less heat)

• Salt and black pepper to taste

If you’re feeling like you want that extra richness that traditional dirty rice is known for, this is where you’ll add ½ pound of ground sausage. I recommend Andouille sausage for an authentic Cajun flavor, but any ground sausage will do.

Break it up with a spoon and cook it through until it’s browned and fragrant. This adds a savory depth that plays really well with the shrimp later on.

Even if you skip the sausage, don’t worry—there’s still plenty of bold flavor coming your way.

Step 4: Toast the Rice

Once everything is nicely combined and the sausage is browned (if using), stir in:

• 1 cup of long-grain white rice

Toast the rice for a minute or two in the skillet. This helps coat it in all those beautiful spices and fat, which gives the rice extra flavor as it cooks. Think of this step like pre-seasoning the rice from the inside out.

Step 5: Add Broth and Simmer

Pour in:

• 2 ¼ cups of chicken broth

Give everything a good stir, scraping up any flavorful bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes. You’re looking for the liquid to be fully absorbed and the rice to be tender.

Avoid lifting the lid too often—you want to trap that steam in there to help the rice cook properly.

So far, we’ve built some serious layers of flavor—from those Cajun-seasoned shrimp to the sautéed veggies and bold spices. Now it’s time to pull everything together and transform that seasoned rice into a crave-worthy, one-pan meal. And the best part? You’re just minutes away from serving up something truly delicious.

Let’s jump back in and finish this Shrimp Dirty Rice strong.

Step 6: Add the Cooked Shrimp Back In

Once the rice has finished simmering and the liquid has been absorbed, turn off the heat and gently fluff the rice with a fork. At this point, the kitchen should smell amazing—a warm, smoky blend of Cajun spice, garlic, and buttery rice.

Now, bring back those beautiful shrimp you set aside earlier and fold them into the rice mixture.

Because the shrimp are already cooked, you’re not trying to cook them again—just let them sit for a couple of minutes in the hot rice so they warm through. This also allows the shrimp to soak in even more of that seasoned rice flavor.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

To finish things off, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley over the top if you have it. It adds a little pop of color and a hint of freshness that balances the smoky, spiced elements of the dish.

Then, serve the dirty rice hot—either straight from the skillet or scooped into bowls.

This dish is hearty enough to stand alone, but it also pairs well with a simple green salad or cornbread if you’re going for the full Southern experience.

Tips, Tricks & Tasty Variations

This recipe is already pretty flexible, but here are a few easy tweaks to make it your own or switch things up:

• Dial Up the Heat: If you like things extra spicy, feel free to add a little more cayenne or even a dash of hot sauce to the rice after it’s cooked. A splash of Louisiana-style hot sauce works perfectly.

• Use Brown Rice: Want a healthier option? You can use long-grain brown rice instead of white rice. Just remember to increase the cooking time and liquid (brown rice typically needs about 40-45 minutes and more broth).

• Make It Meat-Free: Skip the sausage and load up on more veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, or even okra. The shrimp still keeps it satisfying while cutting down on meat.

• Try Different Proteins: Not a shrimp fan? You can use diced chicken breast, turkey sausage, or even leftover rotisserie chicken instead.

• Add a Touch of Acid: A squeeze of lemon juice over the finished dish can brighten it up beautifully. Cajun food can be rich, so a bit of acidity balances things out.

Why This Shrimp Dirty Rice Works So Well

There’s something really satisfying about dishes that are packed with flavor but don’t take hours to make—or loads of dishes to clean afterward. This one-pan recipe is the perfect example of that kind of kitchen magic.

You’ve got a complete meal here: protein, veggies, carbs, and spice—all coming together in just one skillet.

What makes it even better is how easily it scales. Whether you’re cooking for your family on a busy weeknight or meal prepping for a few days ahead, this dish fits the bill. Leftovers are fantastic and reheat beautifully with just a splash of broth or water.