Arroz de Camarão (Portuguese Shrimp Rice)
David RodriguesShare
There’s nothing quite as comforting as a pot of Arroz de Camarão, one of Portugal’s most beloved seafood dishes. This rich and flavorful shrimp rice is made with tender shrimp, a savory tomato-based broth, garlic, onions, and fragrant herbs that come together to create a meal that’s both simple and incredibly satisfying. Popular throughout Portugal, especially in coastal regions, Arroz de Camarão is known for its creamy, almost risotto-like texture and its deep seafood flavor. Whether you're preparing it for a family dinner or serving it to guests, this classic Portuguese recipe brings the taste of Portugal straight to your table.
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Servings: 3-4
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Portuguese olive oil
- 1.5 cups Portuguese Rice
- 1 lbs. shrimp (shell on)
- 2 tbsp Portuguese Butter
- 3-5 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 small onion, chop half, keep half intact
- 3 tbsp cilantro, chopped
- 2 cilantro sprigs, whole
- 3 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
- 1 tbsp massa de pimentão
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a pot with 6-8 cups of water and bring to a boil.
- Boil shrimp, cilantro sprigs, and 1/2 of the onion for 2-3 minutes. Remove the shrimp but reserve the broth.
- Peel the shrimp, and set aside.
- In a separate pot, on medium heat, sauté olive oil, butter, garlic, and chopped onions. Mix well. When things start to smell good, add massa de pimentão and tomatoes. Mix well and sauté for about 3 minutes.
- Add rice, mix until fully coated in the tomato sauce.
- Add 3 cups of shrimp broth from the first pot. Let it reach a boil and then drop the heat to medium. Cook at medium heat for 20 minutes. You may need to add more shrimp broth along the way. This should be served a bit soupy, or a malandrinho.
- Add shrimp about halfway through. After the 20 minutes are up, remove from heat.
- Mix in chopped Cilantro.
- Serve brothy and hot.