Jane's Shrimp Rice Dressing - Dirty Rice

16 servings Prep: 30 m Cook: 45 m Total: 1 h 15 m Intermediate
5.0/5 (1)
Jane's Shrimp Rice Dressing - Dirty Rice
You could leave off the shrimp and it would still be great. This hearty Cajun rice dressing combines ground beef, pork, and shrimp with the holy trinity and rice for a satisfying one-pot meal that feeds a crowd.

Ingredients

16 servings
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 3 lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 large onion and bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 cup each green onions and parsley
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp roux (yours or pre-made)
  • 1 tsp Kitchen Bouquet (to darken)
  • 4-6 cups cooked rice
  • 4 tsp Season-All Seasoning or Cajun Seasoning
  • 2 tbsp cooking oil
  • 1 cup water

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. In a large roaster or heavy duty pot, add oil and brown the beef and pork over medium-high heat, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess oil and meat fat. Add the Cajun Trinity (onion, bell pepper, and celery), garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, roux and Kitchen Bouquet. Blend the mixture together along with one cup of cold water.
  2. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes. Note: if water goes down, add more water to keep the mixture in a watery gravy-like stew consistency. Add the shrimp, parsley, and green onions. Cook for three minutes, take off heat and cover pot. Let the heat of the mixture finish cooking the shrimp.
  3. Add the cooked rice to the mixture. Stir well to combine. All done. Serve with any of your favorites. Add a green salad and you have a meal by itself.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my rice dressing too dry?

A: Keep an eye on the liquid level while the meat mixture simmers. Add water as needed to maintain a gravy-like consistency before adding the rice. The moisture from the gravy is what keeps the finished dressing moist.

Q: Can I use pre-cooked shrimp?

A: Yes, but add them at the very end with the rice instead of during the simmering step. Pre-cooked shrimp only need to be warmed through, not cooked further, or they'll become rubbery.

Q: How do I know when the shrimp are done?

A: Shrimp cook quickly and are done when they turn pink and opaque. The 3-minute cook time plus residual heat method in this recipe ensures they stay tender and don't overcook.

Tips and Techniques

If you don’t have pre-made roux on hand, you can make a quick roux by cooking equal parts oil and flour in a skillet until it reaches a medium brown color, about 15-20 minutes. The Kitchen Bouquet adds rich color and depth—don’t skip it if you have it.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • ground pork: all ground beef or ground turkey
  • shrimp: crawfish tails or omit entirely
  • Kitchen Bouquet: 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce
  • Season-All Seasoning: Tony Chachere's or your favorite Cajun seasoning blend

Equipment Needed

  • Large roaster or heavy-duty pot (at least 6-quart capacity)
  • Wooden spoon or spatula for stirring

Historical Context

Rice dressing is a staple of Cajun cuisine, traditionally made to use every part of the animal. The ‘dirty’ appearance comes from the bits of meat and seasonings mixed throughout the rice.