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.
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!
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Reviews
This meal has 55 reviews
Did 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.
Probably could have used less cajun spice on shrimp
I vote for not adding peppers into red beans and rice.
Great flavors! Warm up the cauliflower rice again before serving to keep it all the same temperature :)
I loved how easy this was. I loved how flavorful it was. Perfect meal!
Very tasty. Did it without the cauliflower rice, but it didn't need it -- it actually stood well on its own.