Authentic Shrimp Creole Recipe
If you’re craving a taste of Louisiana that’s both vibrant and comforting, this Authentic Shrimp Creole Recipe is pure southern magic in a bowl. Imagine juicy shrimp swimming in a tomato-rich sauce spiked with the holy trinity of onion, bell pepper, and celery, all ladled over fluffy white rice. Every bite brings a rush of Creole flavor—slightly spicy, a little sweet, and deeply savory. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or looking to bring some excitement to a weeknight dinner, this classic dish never disappoints and is sure to win hearts at your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Authentic Shrimp Creole Recipe is in its simplicity—every ingredient adds its own special touch, building layers of flavor, color, and texture. These pantry staples and fresh veggies come together easily for a dish that tastes like it simmered all day.
- Olive oil: Gives a rich, fruity base for sautéing and adds a light gloss to the sauce.
- Unsalted butter: Adds creaminess and depth, balancing the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Yellow onion: Essential for sweetness and that classic Creole flavor foundation.
- Green bell pepper: Brings a pop of color and a subtle, grassy bite.
- Celery: Rounds out the “holy trinity” with crunch and mild earthiness.
- Garlic: Infuses the sauce with irresistible aroma and warmth.
- Diced tomatoes with juice: The backbone of the sauce, adding tang and body.
- Tomato sauce: Deepens the tomato flavor and gives the stew its glossy finish.
- Tomato paste: Packs a punch of concentrated flavor and thickens the sauce beautifully.
- Chicken broth or seafood stock: Lends a savory backbone—seafood stock makes it even more authentic.
- Worcestershire sauce: Gives subtle umami and a hint of sweetness.
- Bay leaf: Adds aromatic depth while the sauce simmers.
- Sugar: Just a touch to balance the acidity of tomatoes.
- Dried thyme: Adds a gentle herbal note that’s classic in Creole cooking.
- Paprika: Gives color and a sweet, smoky undertone.
- Cayenne pepper: Brings the heat—feel free to adjust to your spice preference!
- Raw shrimp (peeled and deveined): The star of the show—tender, juicy, and quick-cooking.
- Chopped fresh parsley: Brightens the dish and adds a fresh finish.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for perfect seasoning.
- Hot cooked white rice: The comforting bed that soaks up every drop of that luscious sauce.
How to Make Authentic Shrimp Creole Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Holy Trinity
Start by heating the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once everything’s melted and shimmering, add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are soft and fragrant—this is where the base of your Authentic Shrimp Creole Recipe is built, so take your time and savor the aroma!
Step 2: Add Garlic and Build the Sauce
Stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for just about a minute, until you can really smell its savory notes. Next, add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Pour in the chicken broth or seafood stock, then add Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, sugar, thyme, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir everything together—your kitchen will start to smell absolutely amazing!
Step 3: Simmer and Thicken
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes. Stir occasionally, and you’ll notice the sauce thickening and the flavors melding together. This slow simmer is key in any Authentic Shrimp Creole Recipe, giving it that signature richness and complexity.
Step 4: Add the Shrimp
Gently add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the bubbling sauce. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, just until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through. Be careful not to overcook—they should be juicy and tender, never rubbery.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Remove the pot from heat, fish out the bay leaf, and stir in the fresh parsley. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Spoon the shrimp and sauce over hot cooked white rice, and get ready to dig in to a true taste of Creole comfort!
How to Serve Authentic Shrimp Creole Recipe
Garnishes
Nothing beats a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for color and a squeeze of lemon for brightness. If you love a little extra heat, a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce or a pinch more cayenne pepper will wake up every bite. A scattering of sliced green onions on top adds crunch and a mild oniony kick that’s just right.
Side Dishes
The Authentic Shrimp Creole Recipe is a star on its own, but pairing it with soft, buttery cornbread or a simple green salad brings welcome contrast and rounds out the meal. Steamed okra or sautéed green beans make great veggie sides, adding freshness and color.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re hosting, try serving the Shrimp Creole in individual bowls over rice for a cozy, rustic vibe, or spoon it into hollowed-out bread bowls for a fun twist. For a party, offer it as part of a Creole buffet with other Southern favorites, or serve as a topper for baked potatoes for a hearty weeknight treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Shrimp Creole keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to two days. Store the shrimp and sauce separately from the rice in airtight containers to keep the flavors fresh and the rice from getting soggy.
Freezing
This Authentic Shrimp Creole Recipe can be frozen, but for best results, freeze the sauce on its own and add freshly cooked shrimp when reheating. The shrimp can get a bit rubbery if frozen and reheated, so save that final step for when you’re ready to enjoy.
Reheating
Warm the sauce gently on the stovetop over low heat. If you’ve stored the shrimp separately, add them in just until heated through to keep them tender. Reheat rice in the microwave or a covered saucepan with a splash of water for best texture.
FAQs
Can I use frozen shrimp for this Authentic Shrimp Creole Recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure the shrimp are completely thawed and patted dry before adding them to the sauce. This helps them cook evenly and soak up all those delicious Creole flavors.
What’s the difference between Shrimp Creole and jambalaya?
Shrimp Creole is a saucy dish served over rice, while jambalaya cooks the rice right in with the other ingredients for a more casserole-like texture. Both are Louisiana favorites, but the Authentic Shrimp Creole Recipe is all about that luscious, spicy tomato sauce.
Is this Authentic Shrimp Creole Recipe very spicy?
It has a gentle heat from cayenne and paprika, but you can easily adjust the spice level to suit your taste. Add more cayenne or a few dashes of hot sauce if you like it fiery, or use less for a milder version.
Can I substitute other proteins for the shrimp?
You sure can! This recipe also works well with chunks of firm white fish, crabmeat, or even chicken. Just adjust the cooking time as needed to make sure your protein is fully cooked.
What’s the best way to make shrimp stock if I want extra flavor?
If you have shrimp shells, simmer them with water, a bay leaf, a few peppercorns, and some onion scraps for about 20 minutes. Strain and use this flavorful stock in place of chicken broth for a truly Authentic Shrimp Creole Recipe experience!
Final Thoughts
I hope you feel inspired to bring a taste of Louisiana home with this Authentic Shrimp Creole Recipe. It’s a dish bursting with tradition, warmth, and bold flavors—perfect for sharing with family and friends. Give it a try, and let it become a new favorite in your kitchen!
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Authentic Shrimp Creole Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Experience the vibrant flavors of the South with this Authentic Shrimp Creole recipe. A comforting, spicy stew featuring succulent shrimp simmered in a rich tomato sauce with classic Creole seasonings, served over fluffy white rice. Perfect for a hearty family meal or a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
- 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
- ¾ cup chopped celery
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomato and Liquids
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup chicken broth or seafood stock
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Main Protein
- 1 ½ pounds raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Hot cooked white rice for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and celery, and sauté for 6–8 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute to release its aroma, making sure not to burn it.
- Create the Sauce: Add the diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf, sugar, dried thyme, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir everything together until fully combined and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer the Sauce: Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, until the sauce thickens and the flavors meld beautifully.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the sauce. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through, stirring gently to coat them in the sauce.
- Finish and Season: Remove the skillet from heat. Discard the bay leaf and stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as desired.
- Serve: Spoon the shrimp creole over hot cooked white rice and serve immediately to enjoy the full flavors and warmth of this classic dish.
Notes
- For a deeper seafood flavor, substitute chicken broth with shrimp stock.
- Add a splash of your favorite hot sauce if you prefer extra heat.
- This dish is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently.
- Use fresh parsley for best aroma and flavor in the garnish.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to your heat preference to make the dish milder or spicier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Creole
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups shrimp mixture with ½ cup rice
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg
