
Arroz con Camarones is a classic Latin American and Caribbean dish featuring tender shrimp cooked with rice, typically seasoned with sofrito, garlic, onions, and a blend of spices like cumin and paprika. It's a hearty, one-pot meal where the rice absorbs the savory, often tomato-based broth, creating a flavorful and cohesive dish. Variations exist across regions, from the saucier Puerto Rican style to drier, more seasoned versions in other coastal areas.
This dish is a balanced meal, providing a good source of protein from the shrimp and carbohydrates from the rice. It typically offers key nutrients like selenium, vitamin B12, and iron, with a calorie range of approximately 400-550 kcal per typical serving, depending on oil and ingredient ratios.
| Calories | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 22 g |
| Carbs | 55 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
| Selenium | 40 mcg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.5 mcg |
| Iron | 3.5 mg |
| Phosphorus | 250 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 4 mg |
| Zinc | 2.5 mg |
| Potassium | 350 mg |
| Magnesium | 50 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
Culturally, Arroz con Camarones is a staple of 'comida criolla' (creole cooking) in places like Puerto Rico, representing a fusion of indigenous, Spanish, and African culinary influences. Nutritionally, the shrimp provides high-quality, low-fat protein and is an excellent source of the antioxidant selenium.