Cajun Shrimp and Rice Boil
A spicy, comforting one-pot meal with shrimp, andouille sausage, and Creole-seasoned rice, inspired by traditional Louisiana boil dishes. This cajun-inspired seafood ready in about 70 minutes pairs shrimp, andouille sausage, long grain rice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp
- 8 oz andouille sausage
- 1 1/2 cups long grain rice
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 3 celery stalks
- 2 bell peppers
- 1 onion
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, sauté 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves in 2 tbsp oil over medium heat for 3 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 3 diced celery stalks, 2 diced bell peppers, 1 tsp thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 cups rice, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender.
- Step 4: Add 1 lb shrimp and 8 oz diced andouille sausage. Cook for 5 minutes until shrimp are pink and sausage is cooked through. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cajun Shrimp and Rice Boil take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (25 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cajun Shrimp and Rice Boil?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep shrimp from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cajun Shrimp and Rice Boil?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cajun Shrimp and Rice Boil for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cajun Shrimp and Rice Boil?
Cajun seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
