Cajun shrimp fried rice (brown rice) .
Ingredients
• 2 cups cooked cold rice (best if day-old)
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 tbsp butter or oil
• 3eggs
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1cup frozen peas and carrots
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp paprika (optional for extra Cajun flavor)
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Season shrimp
Toss the shrimp with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning.
2. Cook shrimp
Heat 1 tbsp butter or oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Cook shrimp for about 1–2 minutes per side until pink. Remove and set aside.
3.Cook vegetables
Add another tablespoon of oil. Sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic for about 2 minutes. Add peas and carrots.
4. push your vegetables to the side of the skillet, in the middle cook your eggs cover for 1 minute.
5. Add rice
Stir in the cold rice, breaking up clumps. Cook for 3–4 minutes.
6. Season
Add soy sauce, remaining Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
7. Combine everything
Add shrimp back into the pan. Stir well.
Making Cajun shrimp fried rice with brown rice is a fantastic way to enjoy a classic dish while boosting its nutritional profile. Brown rice, unlike white rice, retains its bran and germ layers, which are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This not only aids digestion but also helps maintain steady energy levels throughout the day. When preparing Cajun shrimp fried rice, it's important to cook the shrimp just right—overcooking can make them tough. Marinating the shrimp briefly in Cajun spices before cooking enhances their flavor and ensures each bite is packed with bold seasoning. In my experience, using a mixture of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, and oregano creates an authentic Cajun taste that's both spicy and aromatic. A tip to get the perfect fried rice texture is to use day-old brown rice, as fresh rice tends to be too sticky. Stir-frying the rice in a hot pan with a little oil allows each grain to be coated and slightly toasted, adding a pleasant texture contrast to the tender shrimp. Adding some chopped vegetables like bell peppers, green onions, or peas can increase the dish’s color, flavor, and nutritional value. Finally, balancing the heat with a squeeze of lime or a sprinkle of fresh parsley can brighten up the dish, making it a flavorful and wholesome meal that you can prepare any day of the week. This recipe is also a crowd-pleaser for family dinners and can be easily scaled up for entertaining guests.
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