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Top-down view of a Cajun Shrimp Rice Bowl with succulent shrimp and fresh vegetables.

Cajun Shrimp Rice Bowl

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Large Shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 2 tbsp Cajun Seasoning
  • 3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil divided
  • 2 cups Rice cooked
  • 2 Bell Peppers sliced
  • 1 Red Onion sliced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 Avocado sliced
  • 1 Lemon cut into wedges
  • Fresh Parsley for garnish

Method
 

  1. Season: Toss shrimp with 1 tbsp oil and Cajun seasoning.
  2. Sauté Veggies: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet. Sauté peppers and onions for 5 mins. Add garlic for 1 min. Remove.
  3. Cook Shrimp: Add remaining oil to the skillet. Sauté shrimp for 2-3 mins per side until pink.
  4. Assemble: Divide rice into 4 bowls. Top with veggies and shrimp.
  5. Garnish: Add avocado, parsley, and a squeeze of lemon.

Notes

1. The "Dry" Rule

Always pat your shrimp dry with a paper towel before adding the oil and seasoning. If the shrimp are damp, they will release water in the pan and "stew" rather than "sear." A dry shrimp ensures that beautiful, caramelized Cajun crust.

2. Tail On or Off?

For a blog-worthy presentation, leaving the tails on looks stunning. However, for ease of eating (especially if you are meal prepping), it is much more convenient to remove the tails before cooking so you can dive in with just a fork.

3. Salt Sensitivity

Many pre-mixed Cajun seasonings contain a high amount of salt. Taste your seasoning blend first. If it's very salty, do not add any extra salt to the rice or vegetables. If you are using a salt-free blend, add $1/2$ teaspoon of sea salt to the shrimp.

4. Storage & Reheating

  • Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating: To prevent the shrimp from becoming rubbery, reheat the bowl in the microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals. Alternatively, hit the rice with a splash of water and reheat the rice/veggies first, adding the shrimp at the very end just to warm through.

5. Perfect Rice Every Time

If you find your rice is often mushy, try the 1:1.5 ratio (1 cup rice to 1.5 cups water) for Jasmine rice, and always rinse your rice under cold water until the water runs clear before cooking to remove excess surface starch.