Here’s a flavorful Cajun Shrimp Fried Rice recipe — spicy, savory, and packed with shrimp and vegetables. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Cajun Shrimp Fried Rice
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 cups cooked rice (preferably day-old)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or butter
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper (red or green), diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 green onions, sliced
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots (optional)
- 2–3 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the shrimp
- Season shrimp with 1–2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Cook shrimp 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
2. Cook the vegetables
- In the same skillet, add remaining oil.
- Sauté onions and bell peppers for 3–4 minutes until tender.
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Cook the eggs
- Push vegetables to the side of the pan and pour in beaten eggs.
- Scramble eggs until just set, then mix with the vegetables.
4. Combine rice and shrimp
- Add cooked rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps.
- Sprinkle with remaining Cajun seasoning and soy sauce.
- Stir-fry 3–5 minutes until heated through and well combined.
- Add shrimp back to the pan and toss to mix.
- Stir in sliced green onions.
5. Serve
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side, if desired.
Tips
- Day-old rice works best because it’s drier and prevents mushy fried rice.
- Customize with extra vegetables like zucchini, corn, or mushrooms.
- For extra heat, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
I can also give you a quick one-pan version with garlic butter shrimp that’s ready in 20 minutes but just as flavorful.
Do you want that version?
