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Cajun Cabbage with Andouille Sausage, Shrimp, and Bold Flavors
Introduction
Looking for a dish that combines the heartiness of cabbage with the bold, smoky, and spicy flavors of Cajun cuisine? Look no further than this Cajun Cabbage with Andouille Sausage and Shrimp! It’s packed with smoky sausage, tender cabbage, vibrant bell peppers, and shrimp, all tossed in a flavorful blend of Cajun spices and aromatic seasonings.
This one-pot dish is a perfect mix of comfort food and Southern flair, and it’s easy enough to prepare for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough for guests at a family gathering. Let’s dive into this mouthwatering Cajun-inspired recipe that’s sure to make your taste buds dance!
Tips for Perfect Cajun Cabbage:
- Adjust the Spice Level: If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning or swap out some of the spicier ingredients. If you like it hot, feel free to add extra cayenne pepper or hot sauce at the end.
- Make It a Meal: This dish can stand alone as a complete meal, but if you’d like to serve it with something else, try pairing it with cornbread, rice, or a simple green salad.
- Use Leftovers: If you have any leftover cabbage, sausage, or shrimp, this dish makes for an excellent next-day lunch. Just reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Add More Veggies: Want to boost your nutrition? You can add more vegetables like zucchini, okra, or even tomatoes to make the dish more colorful and hearty.
Prepare the Ingredients:
Start by prepping your ingredients. Slice the andouille sausage into rounds, chop the onion and bell pepper, and shred the cabbage. If you’re using fresh garlic, mince it finely or use garlic paste for an easy shortcut. Also, peel and devein your shrimp, leaving the tails on if you prefer a more elegant presentation.
Chop the veggies to your desired size – I prefer mine to be similar in size to my cabbage.
Sauté the Andouille Sausage:
In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced andouille sausage and sauté until browned and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. The sausage will release some of its flavorful oils, which will help season the rest of the dish. Once browned, remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
Season your shrimp with Cajun Seasoning.
MR. MAKE IT HAPPEN
Cajun Seasoning
Add the srhimp and cook in the sausage fat. Once the shrimp are mostly cooked, remove them and set aside.
Cook the Vegetables:
In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil (or a little more if needed). Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened and slightly caramelized. Add the garlic paste (or minced garlic) and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Season the Dish:
Sprinkle in the AP seasoning, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, buttery garlic pepper seasoning, and chicken bouillon powder. Stir to coat the vegetables and let the spices bloom in the heat for 1-2 minutes. This will infuse the entire dish with flavor.
Add the Cabbage:
Add the shredded cabbage to the skillet, stirring well to combine with the spices and vegetables. The cabbage will wilt down as it cooks, so don’t worry if it looks like a lot at first. Pour in 1/4 cup of chicken broth (or water) to help create some steam and soften the cabbage. Cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally. The cabbage should become tender and slightly caramelized, but still have a bit of bite.
Add the Shrimp and Andouille Sausage:
Once the cabbage is tender, add the cooked andouille sausage back into the skillet. Then, add the shrimp, making sure to nestle them into the cabbage mixture. Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, until the shrimp turns pink and is fully cooked through. If necessary, add a splash more broth or water to prevent sticking and keep everything moist.
Taste and Adjust:
Give the dish a taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add more Cajun seasoning or salt, depending on your preferences. For extra heat, feel free to sprinkle in a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Serve and Garnish:
Once the shrimp is cooked through and the flavors have melded together, remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Why You’ll Love This Cajun Cabbage Dish:
1. Bold Cajun Flavors
The combination of Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and buttery garlic pepper seasoning delivers a smoky, savory depth that is the hallmark of Cajun cooking. These seasonings, along with the chicken bouillon powder, create a rich and complex flavor profile that soaks into the cabbage and sausage beautifully.
2. Smoky Andouille Sausage
Andouille sausage is the perfect pairing for this dish. It’s smoky, spicy, and packed with flavor, making it an ideal complement to the cabbage. As the sausage browns and crisps in the pan, it infuses the entire dish with its savory goodness.
3. Tender Shrimp
The shrimp adds a touch of sweetness and a delicate texture to balance out the smoky sausage and savory cabbage. Shrimp cooks quickly, making this dish not only flavorful but also fast to prepare.
4. Cabbage’s Versatility
Cabbage is the unsung hero of this recipe. It’s not only a budget-friendly ingredient but also wonderfully versatile. It soaks up all the Cajun spices and becomes tender, providing a deliciously hearty base for the sausage and shrimp.
5. One-Pot Wonder
Everything cooks together in one pan (or skillet), making cleanup a breeze. Plus, the ingredients meld together wonderfully, creating a unified dish full of complex flavors and textures. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something easy yet impressive.
This Cajun Cabbage with Andouille Sausage and Shrimp is a comforting and flavorful dish that’s packed with bold, southern-inspired flavors. From the smoky sausage to the tender cabbage and juicy shrimp, every bite is a satisfying explosion of Cajun goodness. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just yourself, this dish will undoubtedly bring some spice and excitement to your dinner table. Enjoy!
Print & Download: Cajun Cabbage w/ Shrimp & Sausage
Cajun Cabbage w/ Shrimp & Sausage
Equipment
- Dutch Oven
Ingredients
- 1 lb andouille sausage, sliced into rounds or half moons
- 1 large head of cabbage, shredded (about 6 cups)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (red, green, or yellow)
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose seasoning, AP seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon buttery garlic pepper seasoning, or regular garlic pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
- 2 tablespoons garlic paste, or 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chicken broth, or water
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients:
- Start by prepping your ingredients.
- Slice the andouille sausage into rounds, chop the onion and bell pepper, and shred the cabbage.
- If you’re using fresh garlic, mince it finely or use garlic paste for an easy shortcut.
- Also, peel and devein your shrimp, leaving the tails on if you prefer a more elegant presentation.
- Chop the veggies to your desired size – I prefer mine to be similar in size to my cabbage.
Sauté the Andouille Sausage:
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the sliced andouille sausage and sauté until browned and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once browned, remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
- Season your shrimp with Cajun Seasoning.
- Once the sausage is perfectly seared and golden brown – remove it with a slotted spoon.
- Add the srhimp and cook in the sausage fat. Once the shrimp are mostly cooked, remove them and set aside.
Cook the Vegetables:
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil (or a little more if needed).
- Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened and slightly caramelized.
- Add the garlic paste (or minced garlic) and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Season the Dish:
- Sprinkle in the AP seasoning, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, buttery garlic pepper seasoning, and chicken bouillon powder.
- Stir to coat the vegetables and let the spices bloom in the heat for 1-2 minutes. This will infuse the entire dish with flavor.
Add the Cabbage:
- Add the shredded cabbage to the skillet, stirring well to combine with the spices and vegetables. The cabbage will wilt down as it cooks, so don’t worry if it looks like a lot at first.
- Pour in 1/4 cup of chicken broth (or water) to help create some steam and soften the cabbage.
- Cover and cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- The cabbage should become tender and slightly caramelized, but still have a bit of bite.
Add the Shrimp and Andouille Sausage:
- Once the cabbage is tender, add the cooked andouille sausage back into the skillet.
- Then, add the shrimp, making sure to nestle them into the cabbage mixture.
- Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, until the shrimp turns pink and is fully cooked through.
- If necessary, add a splash more broth or water to prevent sticking and keep everything moist.
Taste and Adjust:
- Give the dish a taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- You may want to add more Cajun seasoning or salt, depending on your preferences. For extra heat, feel free to sprinkle in a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
Serve and Garnish:
- Once the shrimp is cooked through and the flavors have melded together, remove the skillet from the heat.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- Adjust the Spice Level: If you prefer a milder dish, reduce the amount of Cajun seasoning or swap out some of the spicier ingredients. If you like it hot, feel free to add extra cayenne pepper or hot sauce at the end.
- Make It a Meal: This dish can stand alone as a complete meal, but if you’d like to serve it with something else, try pairing it with cornbread, rice, or a simple green salad.
- Use Leftovers: If you have any leftover cabbage, sausage, or shrimp, this dish makes for an excellent next-day lunch. Just reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Add More Veggies: Want to boost the nutrition? You can add more vegetables like zucchini, okra, or even tomatoes to make the dish more colorful and hearty.
Thanks for recipe this is my favorite meal to make when cooking for a few people and it is very nutritious and Cabbage is another good green veggie.