Recipes, cooking, Organic

Healthy Mardi Gras Magic: Dirty Rice with Shrimp (SkinnyTaste Twist)

Posted by JH-M on

Ready for Mardi Gras? Because I am. 🎭🍤

This is a lighter twist on the Cajun classic Dirty Rice—and yes, I know that kind of defeats the purpose of Mardi Gras. But if you’re watching your calories and still want big, bold Louisiana flavor, this dish checks all the boxes. It’s hearty, satisfying, packed with protein and veggies, and absolutely worthy of staying in your regular dinner rotation.

Thanks to SkinnyTaste for creating this recipe—it’s wonderful. I’ve made a few personal tweaks (because of course I did), especially when it comes to spices. Dirty rice should never be shy.

This is one of those weeknight staples that never gets old 🍤🍚
Dirty rice vibes with SkinnyTaste calories? Yes, please.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

  • Ready in under an hour
  • A generous 1⅓ cups is only 347 calories
  • Shrimp + lean ground beef = filling and flavorful
  • Perfect for Mardi Gras or a random Tuesday night
  • Easy to customize with spice and heat

Another hit from @skinnytaste 🙌 Dirty brown rice with shrimp is loaded with goodness—lean ground beef, brown rice, shrimp, and plenty of veggies. I love trying something different every night, but this one stays on repeat. You seriously can’t go wrong.

Dirty Brown Rice with Shrimp

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups uncooked organic brown rice
  • 1 chicken bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon organic chicken base
  • 2 bay leaves, divided
  • ⅛ + ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, divided
  • ⅛ + ½ tsp paprika (I used a combo of smoked, regular, and hot)
  • ⅛ + ½ tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp oil
  • 1 organic onion, diced
  • 2 stalks organic celery, diced
  • 1 organic green pepper, diced
  • 1 clove organic garlic, minced
  • ½ lb 96% lean organic, grass-fed ground beef (I usually use a full pound)
  • Sea salt and fresh black pepper, to taste
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 organic scallions, chopped
  • Hot sauce, for serving

Instructions

  1. Cook brown rice according to package directions using water, chicken bouillon, 1 bay leaf, ¼ tsp salt, and ⅛ tsp each of cayenne, paprika, and thyme.
  2. When the rice is almost done, heat a large heavy saucepan over medium-low heat.
  3. Add oil, onion, green pepper, celery, remaining bay leaf, and garlic. Sauté until soft, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add ground beef, salt, black pepper, remaining paprika, thyme, and cayenne.
  5. Cook until browned, about 10–15 minutes. Taste and adjust spices and salt as needed.
  6. Add shrimp, cover, and cook about 5 minutes until shrimp are pink.
  7. When rice is done, toss it with the beef and shrimp mixture and combine well.
  8. Top with scallions and serve hot.

Jacq’s Notes

  • I definitely go heavier on the spices than the original recipe—season to your taste.
  • I always combine paprikas: smoked, hot, and regular for depth.
  • I like to finish mine with extra cayenne and plenty of hot sauce for that real Cajun kick 🔥

Original Recipe Credit

You can find the original recipe here:
Dirty Brown Rice with Shrimp – Skinnytaste
https://www.skinnytaste.com/dirty-brown-rice-with-shrimp/

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