Description
This Cajun Dirty Rice with Shrimp and Ground Pork is a flavorful, one-pot meal that combines savory spices with tender shrimp and ground pork, cooked together with aromatic vegetables and rice. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect hearty and spicy dish inspired by classic Cajun cuisine.
Ingredients
Meat & Seafood
- 450 g / 1 lb ground pork
- 450 g / 1 lb shrimp
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 onion, medium chopped
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 1 bell pepper (red or green), diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, sliced
Spices & Seasonings
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried garlic flakes
- 1 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 bay leaf
Other Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 300 g / 1 1/2 cups rice (any kind, not quick cooking)
- 750 ml / 3 cups chicken stock
Instructions
- Cook Pork: In a large pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground pork and cook until no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. Push the cooked pork to the side of the pan to make room for the vegetables.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Add chopped onion, diced celery, diced bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
- Add Spices and Rice: Stir in cayenne, paprika, oregano, thyme, dried garlic flakes, salt, and pepper. Then add the rice and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes to toast the rice slightly and incorporate the spices.
- Add Stock and Bay Leaf: Pour in the chicken stock and add the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pan with a lid and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through the cooking time to prevent sticking.
- Cook Shrimp and Finish: Remove the lid. If the rice looks dry or has stuck to the bottom, add a splash of water (about 1/4 cup). Stir in the shrimp, cover again, and cook for 2 minutes until the shrimp turns pink and is cooked through. If the rice isn’t fully cooked yet, remove from heat and let it stand covered for 5 minutes. Finally, stir in the sliced green onions gently.
Notes
- Use any long-grain or medium-grain rice, but avoid quick-cooking rice as it may become mushy.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to taste for spice preference.
- Stir the rice halfway during cooking to prevent burning or sticking.
- Let the dish rest covered off the heat if rice needs more time to absorb liquid and cook fully.
- Use peeled and deveined shrimp for ease of eating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
