Cajun Shrimp and Bell Peppers
with red beans and rice
Today's meal draws inspiration from the hearty food of New Orleans. We've lightened up some of the classic components while keeping the flavors robust and satisfying.
Smarts: Can't find Cajun seasoning? Approximate by mixing equal parts paprika, celery seed, garlic powder, dried basil, dried thyme, and white pepper. Add cayenne to taste.
Ingredients
- Shrimp - 1 lb, shelled and de-veined
- Bell peppers, any type - 1 1/2, thinly sliced
- Garlic - 2 cloves, finely chopped
- Cooking oil - 1 Tbsp
- Butter - 1 Tbsp
- Cajun seasoning - 1 Tbsp
- Lemons or limes - 1/2, juice from
- Onions - 1/2, diced
- Celery - 1 stalk, diced
- Bell peppers - 1, diced
- Garlic - 1 clove, minced
- Kidney beans (14oz / 397g can) - 1 can, drained and rinsed
- Cooking oil - 1 Tbsp
- Bay leaves - 1
- Cajun seasoning - 1 Tbsp
- Long grain white rice, uncooked (such as basmati or jasmine) - 2/3 cup
Nutrition Facts
Prep
- Shrimp - Defrost, rinse, and dry.
- For Cajun rice | Onions / Celery / Bell Peppers / Garlic - Prep as directed. (Can be done up to 3 days ahead)
- For saute |Bell peppers / Garlic - Prep as directed. (Can be done up to 3 days ahead)
- Kidney beans - Drain and rinse.
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Make
- Make rice and beans by heating oil over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven and then saute the onion, celery, and bell pepper until soft and translucent, ~5 minutes. Add garlic, bay leaf, and Cajun seasoning and salt to taste. Then add the rice and cook until brown and toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add water (using a 2:1 ratio of water to rice), reduce the heat to low, cover and cook the rice for 20 minutes. Add the beans and stir to combine and heat through.
- While rice cooks, cook shrimp and peppers by heating oil and butter over medium-high heat in a saute pan or skillet. Add sliced peppers to heated fats and saute with Cajun seasoning and some salt and pepper. Cook until they are tender and sweet, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add the shrimp and minced garlic, cover, and cook until the shrimp is pink, firm, and cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes. Finish with freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice.
- To serve, plate the rice and beans and then heap the shrimp and bell peppers on top. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Reviews
Ratings
56 reviews
Delicious and came together quickly! Definitely don’t use salt if your Cajun seasoning already has salt though. I’d also use only half the seasoning for the shrimp sauté and up the rice to 1 cup next time.
0 HelpfulDid the rice mix in the pressure cooker while I sauteed everything else on the stove. Added some ham but I think I should've gone for bacon or smoked sausage instead for some smokiness.
0 HelpfulGreat flavors! Warm up the cauliflower rice again before serving to keep it all the same temperature :)
0 Helpful