If you’re craving a bold, comforting one-pan Southern-style meal, this Shrimp Sausage Dirty Rice is going to hit the spot. It’s smoky, meaty, and just spicy enough, loaded with seasoned ground beef, sausage, juicy shrimp, and a perfect blend of peppers and Cajun-inspired spices. It’s the kind of dish that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and keeps everyone coming back for seconds (or thirds). Best of all? It’s ready in about 40 minutes!
🍴 Ingredients Breakdown
🦐 Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef – Adds that rich, beefy base
- 1 lb ground sausage – Choose spicy for a kick, or mild if you prefer
- 10–12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined – Seasoned to perfection and seared for that golden edge
🍚 Rice & Veggies:
- 4 cups cooked rice – Preferably day-old rice for best texture
- 2 cups chicken broth – Helps loosen the mixture and build flavor
- 1½ cups chopped onions and bell peppers – A classic Southern “holy trinity” base
- 3 tsp minced garlic – Flavor booster
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil – For searing and sautéing
🧂 Seasoning:
- 1 tsp seafood seasoning – For that shrimp punch
- ¼ cup flour – Helps thicken up the broth
- 1 tbsp oregano, 1 tsp thyme – Earthy depth
- 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder – Bold aromatics
- 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp black pepper – Smoky heat
- Salt to taste
- Pinch of cayenne (optional) – Only if you love it hot
👨🍳 Directions
Step 1: Sear the Shrimp
- Season shrimp with seafood seasoning.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium-high.
- Sear shrimp for 2–3 minutes per side until just cooked and golden.
- Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Brown the Meats
- Add the remaining 1 tbsp oil to the skillet.
- Add ground beef and sausage. Cook 6–8 minutes, breaking up meat, until browned and cooked through.
Step 3: Build the Base
- Stir in chopped onions, bell peppers, and garlic.
- Sauté 5 minutes until softened and aromatic.
Step 4: Spice & Simmer
- Sprinkle in all the seasoning and flour. Stir well until flour coats the meat and veggies.
- Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring. Simmer 5–7 minutes, allowing mixture to thicken slightly.
Step 5: Fold in Rice & Shrimp
- Stir in cooked rice, breaking up any clumps. Simmer 5 more minutes.
- Fold in the shrimp and cook just long enough to warm through.
Step 6: Serve Hot
- Garnish with extra herbs, green onions, or even a squeeze of lemon or hot sauce if desired.
- Serve piping hot with cornbread or on its own.
⏱️ Prep & Cook Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
🍽️ Servings & Nutrition
- Servings: 6 generous portions
- Calories: ~520 per serving
- Protein: ~32g
- Carbs: ~38g
- Fat: ~28g
- Sodium: ~760mg
💡 Nutrition may vary depending on sausage type and exact shrimp size used.
🧡 Why You’ll Love This Dish
- One-pan wonder: All the flavor, minimal cleanup.
- Family favorite: Kids love the familiar flavors, adults love the spice.
- Meal prep win: Makes a big batch that stores and reheats like a dream.
- Southern soul food comfort: With a twist of surf-and-turf goodness!
Shrimp Sausage Dirty Rice
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
🦐 Proteins:
-
1 lb ground beef – Adds that rich, beefy base
-
1 lb ground sausage – Choose spicy for a kick, or mild if you prefer
-
10–12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined – Seasoned to perfection and seared for that golden edge
🍚 Rice & Veggies:
-
4 cups cooked rice – Preferably day-old rice for best texture
-
2 cups chicken broth – Helps loosen the mixture and build flavor
-
1½ cups chopped onions and bell peppers – A classic Southern “holy trinity” base
-
3 tsp minced garlic – Flavor booster
-
3 tbsp vegetable oil – For searing and sautéing
🧂 Seasoning:
-
1 tsp seafood seasoning – For that shrimp punch
-
¼ cup flour – Helps thicken up the broth
-
1 tbsp oregano, 1 tsp thyme – Earthy depth
-
1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder – Bold aromatics
-
1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp black pepper – Smoky heat
-
Salt to taste
-
Pinch of cayenne (optional) – Only if you love it hot
Instructions
Step 1: Sear the Shrimp
-
Season shrimp with seafood seasoning.
-
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp oil over medium-high.
-
Sear shrimp for 2–3 minutes per side until just cooked and golden.
-
Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Brown the Meats
-
Add the remaining 1 tbsp oil to the skillet.
-
Add ground beef and sausage. Cook 6–8 minutes, breaking up meat, until browned and cooked through.
Step 3: Build the Base
-
Stir in chopped onions, bell peppers, and garlic.
-
Sauté 5 minutes until softened and aromatic.
Step 4: Spice & Simmer
-
Sprinkle in all the seasoning and flour. Stir well until flour coats the meat and veggies.
-
Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring. Simmer 5–7 minutes, allowing mixture to thicken slightly.
Step 5: Fold in Rice & Shrimp
-
Stir in cooked rice, breaking up any clumps. Simmer 5 more minutes.
-
Fold in the shrimp and cook just long enough to warm through.
Step 6: Serve Hot
-
Garnish with extra herbs, green onions, or even a squeeze of lemon or hot sauce if desired.
-
Serve piping hot with cornbread or on its own.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 generous portions
- Calories: 520 per serving
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 32g
🔍 FAQs
Can I use raw rice instead of cooked rice?
Not for this version. This recipe relies on pre-cooked rice so the grains stay fluffy and absorb the sauce without becoming mushy.
Can I substitute the meats?
Absolutely. You can:
- Use chicken instead of sausage.
- Go all shrimp for a lighter version.
- Use turkey or plant-based ground “meat” for a leaner option.
Is this dish spicy?
It has warmth, but not overpowering heat. If you like it spicy, add cayenne or a splash of hot sauce!
How do I store leftovers?
Let it cool, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. It reheats beautifully in a skillet or microwave.
Can I freeze dirty rice?
Yes! It freezes well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove.