With spicy sausage and scotch bonnet pepper, you’ll make this Southern classic again and again.

Each relative proudly toted their own rendition, often highlighting and elevating it with special ingredients.

It’s the perfect side for large gatherings and it’s easy enough to make on a weeknight.

Dirty Rice With Shrimp in a Dutch Oven Surrounded by Glasses of Water and a Plate With Utensils

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

What Is Dirty Rice?

With limited means, they prepared dirty rice with scraps of livestock organs and vegetables.

When combined with rice these scraps made the rice appear dirty.

Dirty Rice With Shrimp in a Dutch Oven, and Next to It a Bowl With a Serving of Rice and a Piece of Cornbread, Glasses of Water, a Plate With Utensils, and a Plate With Cornbread

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Add them to the skillet after you cook the smoked sausage.

The Best Rice for Dirty Rice

Extra Long-Grain Carolina White Riceis my go-to rice for dirty rice.

Any long-grain white rice will work.

Rice Boiling in a Pot of Chicken Stock for Dirty Rice With Shrimp

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Heat the leftovers for 1 minute in the microwave until just warm before adding them to the skillet.

For those who dont eat pork, this recipe can be made with ground beef or ground turkey.

My favorite isJoes Stuff Original Seasoning, made by the New Orleans School of Cooking.

Cooked Rice in a Pot for Dirty Rice With Shrimp Recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

It’s salty, so taste first before adding more salt.

Set it over medium heat and bring it to a boil.

Cook for 10 minutes then turn the heat off.

Sliced Andouille Sausage Cooking in a Dutch Oven for Louisiana Dirty Rice With Shrimp Recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Do not fire up the lid so that the rice can finish cooking in the steam.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large lidded skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Add the andouille sausage and cook until browned and crispy around the edges, about 5 minutes.

Andouille Sausage on a Paper Towel Lined Plate for Southern Dirty Rice With Shrimp Recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Remove them from the skillet with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel-lined plate to soak up the grease.

Use the edge of the slotted spoon to crumble the sausage into small pieces.

The smaller the better because youll get an even distribution of sausage in each bite.

Sausage Cooking in a Dutch Oven for Dirty Rice With Shrimp Recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Add the onions, bell pepper, and celery.

Saute until the vegetables are slightly soft, about 3 minutes.

The moisture released from the onions should help get the bits off.

Onions, Celery, and Peppers Stirred into Cooked Sausage in Dutch Oven for Dirty Rice With Shrimp Recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Dont worry about getting all the bitsyoull deglaze the skillet soon.

Stir in garlic, scotch bonnet (if using), Cajun or Creole seasoning, and dried thyme.

Cook for 2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant.

Garlic and Spices Added to Creole Dirty Rice With Shrimp Ingredients in Dutch Oven

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Return the andouille sausage to the pot.

The sausage and vegetables should be coated with the stock, not swimming in it.

Lower the heat to a simmer.

Andouille Sausage Added to Dutch Oven for Cajun Dirty Rice Recipe

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Gently fold the cooked rice into the mixture until evenly distributed.

Be sure not to mix too vigorously as the rice will break and become mushy.

Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, if needed.

Rice Stirred Into the Ingredients in the Dutch Oven

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Arrange the shrimp evenly on top of the rice, and cover the pot.

Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley, and serve.

Reheat in the microwave in 1-minute intervals until heated through, stirring the rice between each interval.

Raw Shrimp (With Tails) Placed on Top of Dirty Rice With Shrimp in the Dutch Oven

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

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Dirty Rice With Shrimp Garnished with Green Onions

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

Bowl of Dirty Rice With Shrimp Next to Two Bowls of Rice

Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe