Shrimp Sausage Dirty Rice Recipe: A Southern Comfort Classic
There’s something special about a good dirty rice dish—it’s filling, colorful, and full of bold, Southern flavor. When you add juicy shrimp and smoky sausage, you get a meal that’s rich, satisfying, and totally comforting. This post is all about how to make a delicious Shrimp Sausage Dirty Rice Recipe that you’ll want to cook again and again.
Whether you’re from the South or you’re just looking to try something new, this dish brings big flavors and a cozy vibe to your table.
Let’s get cooking!
What is Dirty Rice?
Dirty Rice is a classic dish from Louisiana, found in both Cajun and Creole cooking. It gets its name because the rice turns “dirty” from the meat, spices, and vegetables it’s cooked with. The traditional base includes ground meat and the “holy trinity” of onion, celery, and bell pepper.
In this recipe, we take it up a notch by adding shrimp and sausage. That gives the dish more texture, more protein, and way more flavor. It’s like a little southern party in every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Shrimp Sausage Dirty Rice Recipe
Here’s why this dish will become one of your favorites:
- 🔥 Full of bold, spicy flavor
- 🦐 Loaded with shrimp and sausage protein
- ⏱ Ready in less than 45 minutes
- 🥘 One-pot wonder = less to clean
- 🌿 Easy to change up or make your own
- 🇺🇸 Made with true Southern heart
Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or impressing guests!
Shrimp Sausage Dirty Rice Recipe: Ingredients Overview
The secret to this dish? Great ingredients and lots of love. Here’s what you’ll need:
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb medium shrimp (peeled and cleaned)
- 12 oz Andouille sausage (sliced)
- 2 cups long grain white rice (preferably cooked and cooled ahead)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning (start small, add more if you like spice)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat lovers)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth or stock
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley or green onions for garnish
- Lemon wedges (for serving, optional)
🧑🍳 Tip: Andouille gives that smoky heat we love, but you can use kielbasa or turkey sausage for a milder option.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let us walk you through how to make this recipe without stress. Just follow along step-by-step, and you’ll be serving up magic in no time.
Step 1: Cook the Shrimp
- Sprinkle the shrimp with salt, pepper, and a little Creole seasoning.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 1 tbsp of oil over medium-high heat.
- Cook shrimp for 1–2 minutes on each side until pink and just cooked.
- Remove from pan and set aside.
📝 Don’t let the shrimp cook too long, or they’ll turn rubbery.
Step 2: Brown the Sausage
- In the same pan, toss in the sliced sausage.
- Sauté for 5–7 minutes until browned and a little crispy.
- Take out the sausage and set it aside with the shrimp.
🎯 Why brown it? It adds rich, deep flavor to the dish.
Step 3: Sauté the Veggies
- Add a bit more oil if needed and toss in onions, celery, and bell pepper.
- Cook for about 5 minutes until soft.
- Add garlic and stir for 1–2 minutes more.
- Season with paprika, cayenne (if you’re using it), and some of the Creole spice.
🌶 This is when your kitchen starts smelling amazing!
Step 4: Bring in the Rice
- Stir in the cooked rice until it’s well mixed with the veggies.
- Add Worcestershire sauce.
- Pour in the chicken broth and add the sausage back in.
- Cover and simmer on low for 10–12 minutes.
🏆 This step is the heart of the dish—when all those flavors start blending!
Step 5: Finish and Garnish
- Add the shrimp back into the pan and gently mix.
- Let everything heat through for a few minutes.
- Give it a taste—add salt or pepper if needed.
- Sprinkle with parsley or green onions. Add a squeeze of lemon if you like.
Time to serve up some serious soul food!
Expert Tips to Make It Even Better
Want to take your dirty rice to the next level? Try these helpful tips:
- 🧈 Stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end for extra creaminess
- 🔥 Toast the rice in the pan for a few minutes before adding broth—it gives a nutty taste
- 🍚 Cold, day-old rice gives the best texture (less mush, more flavor)
- 🐔 No Andouille? Use smoky sausage and a drop or two of liquid smoke
- 🌱 Trying to eat lighter? Try brown rice or cauliflower rice instead
Easy Variations for Every Taste
You can adjust this Shrimp Sausage Dirty Rice Recipe to suit your taste:
Vegetarian Version:
Use plant-based sausage or tofu, replace the shrimp with mushrooms, and go with veggie broth instead of chicken.
More Meat:
Want extra protein? Add in cooked chicken thighs, or for a traditional twist, chopped liver (just like Louisiana families do).
More Seafood:
Crawfish tails or crab meat make a fun swap—or add them along with the shrimp!
How to Store & Reheat
This dish keeps really well, so don’t worry if you have leftovers.
- 🧊 In the fridge: Store in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
- ❄️ In the freezer: Freeze in meal-sized portions for up to 3 months.
- 🔁 To reheat: Warm it in a skillet with a tiny splash of water or broth.
What Goes Well With Dirty Rice?
This Shrimp Sausage Dirty Rice Recipe is awesome on its own, but even better with some classic southern sides:
- Cornbread or hush puppies
- Sautéed greens or okra
- Pickled veggies or cucumber salad
- Iced sweet tea or a local craft beer
Bring the full Southern experience to your table!
Recipe Card (Print-Friendly Version)
🕒 Prep Time: 15 mins
⏱️ Cook Time: 30 mins
🍽 Serves: 4–6
📋 Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 12 oz Andouille sausage, sliced
- 2 cups cooked long grain rice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Creole seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Salt, pepper, oil
- Chopped parsley for garnish
- Lemon wedges (optional)
🧑🍳 Directions:
- Season shrimp. Sear in hot pan 1–2 minutes per side. Remove.
- Brown sausage until done. Remove.
- Sauté onion, pepper, celery, and garlic until soft.
- Mix in rice and seasonings. Add Worcestershire, broth, and sausage.
- Simmer 10–12 mins. Fold in shrimp to warm.
- Garnish and serve hot.
Final Thoughts: Dirty Rice Done Right
This Shrimp Sausage Dirty Rice Recipe By Luna is cozy, spicy, and full of big Southern flavor. It’s easy enough for a weeknight, special enough for guests, and always comforting.
Whether you’re a dirty rice pro or making it for the first time, this version will win everyone over. So fire up your skillet, turn on your favorite Southern playlist, and treat yourself to a dish that feeds your soul.
Try It, Share It!
Did you make this Shrimp Sausage Dirty Rice Recipe? I’d love to see how it turned out! Share your version on Instagram or Pinterest and tag me: @ByLunaand.
Love cozy meals with big flavor? Subscribe to my blog for more Southern recipes, spicy dinner ideas, and comfort food done right.
Stay hungry and keep cooking—With soul.
Happy eating! 🍤🔥
— Luna 💛
