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Cajun Shrimp and Crab Dirty Rice

Cajun Shrimp and Crab Dirty Rice

This Cajun shrimp and crab dirty rice combines buttery seasoned shrimp, tender lump crab, ground beef, beef sausage, colorful bell peppers, onion, garlic, and savory rice in one hearty Southern-style skillet. It is a filling seafood dinner packed with bold Cajun flavor.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 persons
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Cajun-Inspired, Southern
Calories: 890
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 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

Equipment

  • Large deep skillet with lid For cooking the shrimp, meat, vegetables, and rice
  • Wooden spoon or silicone spatula For browning the meat and folding the rice mixture
  • Plate or bowl For holding the cooked shrimp

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Add the cooked Cajun shrimp back to the skillet and gently fold it throughout the crab dirty rice until everything is hot.
  8. Serve the Cajun shrimp and crab dirty rice hot for a hearty seafood dinner loaded with shrimp, crab, seasoned beef, peppers, and savory rice.

Notes

Cook the shrimp just until pink and tender, then remove them from the skillet so they do not overcook.
Brown the ground beef and ground beef sausage completely before adding the vegetables.
Drain excess grease after browning the meat if needed.
Cook the peppers, onion, and garlic until softened and fragrant before adding the rice.
Cover and simmer the rice over low heat until tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Fold the lump crab in gently so the larger pieces stay intact.
Return the cooked shrimp at the end and heat only until everything is hot.