If you love hearty Southern seafood dinners, this dirty rice brings plenty to the table. Cajun shrimp, tender crab, seasoned beef, colorful peppers, and flavorful rice all cook together for a filling meal that’s packed with seafood flavor and Southern comfort.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Loaded with protein. Shrimp, crab, ground beef, and sausage all come together in one hearty dish.
- Bold Cajun flavor throughout. Every component gets seasoned generously for consistent flavor.
- Colorful bell peppers. Four different colors add visual appeal and sweetness.
- Great for feeding a crowd. Serves 8, making it perfect for gatherings or big family dinners.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, plus more to taste
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground beef sausage, crumbled
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 orange bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 cups uncooked white rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp butter
- 8 oz lump crab meat, drained
How to Make Cajun Shrimp and Crab Dirty Rice
1. Cook the Cajun shrimp. Melt ½ cup butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and Cajun seasoning. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until the shrimp are pink and tender. Remove and set aside.
2. Brown the beef. In the same skillet, add the ground beef and ground beef sausage. Cook until completely browned, breaking the meat into crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
3. Add the vegetables. Stir in the garlic, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, orange bell pepper, and onion. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
4. Add the rice. Stir in the uncooked white rice and season with additional Cajun seasoning to taste. Mix well so the rice is coated with the seasoned beef and vegetables.
5. Simmer until tender. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for about 20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
6. Add the crab. Fluff the dirty rice gently. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and lump crab meat. Carefully fold in the crab so the larger pieces stay intact.
7. Return the shrimp. Add the cooked Cajun shrimp back to the skillet and gently fold it throughout the crab dirty rice until everything is hot.
8. Serve. Serve the Cajun shrimp and crab dirty rice hot.
Tips for the Best Cajun Shrimp and Crab Dirty Rice
- Don’t overcook the shrimp in the first step. They’ll be folded back in at the end, so pulling them once tender keeps them from turning rubbery.
- Drain excess grease from the beef and sausage. This keeps the rice from turning greasy.
- Keep the lid on while the rice simmers. This traps steam and helps the rice cook evenly.
- Fold the crab in gently. A light hand keeps the lump pieces intact instead of shredding them.
What to Serve with Cajun Shrimp and Crab Dirty Rice
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but cornbread or a simple green salad can be added if you’d like to round things out further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use imitation crab?
Yes, imitation crab works well and is a more budget-friendly option.
Can I use a different rice?
Yes, though white rice is traditional for dirty rice and gives the best texture. Brown rice can be used but will need a longer cook time.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, this dish reheats well. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently before serving.
Cajun Shrimp and Crab Dirty Rice
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Melt 1/2 cup butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shrimp and Cajun seasoning. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until the shrimp are pink and tender. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the ground beef and ground beef sausage. Cook until completely browned, breaking the meat into crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Stir in the garlic, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, orange bell pepper, and onion. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in the uncooked white rice and season with additional Cajun seasoning to taste. Mix well so the rice is coated with the seasoned beef and vegetables.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a gentle boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for about 20 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff the dirty rice gently. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and lump crab meat. Carefully fold in the crab so the larger pieces stay intact.
- Add the cooked Cajun shrimp back to the skillet and gently fold it throughout the crab dirty rice until everything is hot.
- Serve the Cajun shrimp and crab dirty rice hot for a hearty seafood dinner loaded with shrimp, crab, seasoned beef, peppers, and savory rice.