Juicy garlic butter shrimp, savory ground beef, and fluffy rice make this a hearty skillet dinner with plenty of Southern-style flavor. It’s simple, filling, and packed with buttery Cajun goodness, coming together in just 35 minutes for an easy weeknight meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Shrimp and beef together. Two proteins bring layers of flavor to this satisfying skillet dinner.
- A savory, buttery pan sauce. Beef broth and Worcestershire create a rich sauce that coats the rice beautifully.
- Bold Cajun seasoning. Every bite has that classic Southern kick.
- Ready in 35 minutes. A hearty, complete dinner that comes together fast.
Ingredients
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 cups cooked white rice
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
How to Make Southern Garlic Butter Shrimp, Ground Beef & Rice
1. Season the shrimp. Season the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and salt.
2. Cook the garlic butter shrimp. Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. Brown the ground beef. Add the ground beef to the same skillet. Cook until nicely browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
4. Add the vegetables. Stir in the diced onion and red bell pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Make the savory sauce. Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly.
6. Finish the shrimp and beef. Stir in the remaining butter, then return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Gently toss the shrimp and ground beef together and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until everything is hot and coated in the buttery sauce.
7. Serve with rice. Spoon the hot white rice onto plates and top generously with the garlic butter shrimp and savory ground beef. Spoon the skillet juices over the rice and finish with fresh parsley.
Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Shrimp & Beef
- Don’t overcook the shrimp in the first step. They’ll be tossed back in at the end, so 2 to 3 minutes per side is enough.
- Break the beef into small, even pieces. This helps it brown evenly and blend well with the shrimp.
- Let the sauce reduce properly. Simmering for the full time concentrates the flavor before the final toss.
- Have the rice ready before finishing the skillet. This dish comes together quickly at the end, so having the rice hot and waiting keeps everything on schedule.
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Shrimp, Beef & Rice
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but a simple green salad or steamed vegetable makes a nice addition if you want something fresh alongside it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, ground turkey works well as a lighter substitute in this recipe.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking so they sear properly instead of releasing excess water.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, just keep in mind brown rice takes longer to cook if starting from scratch, so plan ahead or use pre-cooked brown rice.
Southern Garlic Butter Shrimp, Ground Beef & Rice
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Season the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and salt.
- Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Add the ground beef to the same skillet. Cook until nicely browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
- Stir in the diced onion and red bell pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly.
- Stir in the remaining butter, then return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Gently toss the shrimp and ground beef together and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until everything is hot and coated in the buttery sauce.
- Spoon the hot white rice onto plates and top generously with the garlic butter shrimp and savory ground beef. Spoon the skillet juices over the rice and finish with fresh parsley.