Shrimp Creole

Shrimp Creole is a traditional Cajun dish that covers rice with shrimp cooked in a tomato based sauce with plenty of spices, onions, celery, and bell peppers.

For me, Shrimp Creole is the definition of traditional Cajun cooking. Plump seafood simmered in a tomato-rich broth that’s nice and spicy from pepper sauce, paprika, and cayenne.

It’s a little bit different from its cousin, Shrimp Etouffee, basically because it has a thinner tomato base as opposed to a rich, roux gravy base. You can read more about the difference in this post.

What Is The Holy Trinity In Cajun Cooking?

Many traditional Cajun dishes have the holy trinity in them, which is just onion, celery and bell peppers. I love these aromatics as a base for a dish because they add so much flavor. I always make sure to add in some fresh minced garlic too.

How To Make Shrimp Creole

To make Shrimp Creole, I start by thawing shrimp and setting it aside. In a dutch oven, I sauté the holy trinity in olive oil and butter and then I add just a bit of flour for texture. The garlic and spices go in, and once they release their flavors, I add diced tomato, tomato sauce, pepper sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.

I like to let the shrimp cook right in the sauce, and then I serve it all over rice. It’s both bright and fresh and comforting at the same time.

You’re going to love it!

Shrimp Creole

• Author: Christine Pittman
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Entrée
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Creole

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

DESCRIPTION

Shrimp Creole is a traditional Cajun dish that covers rice with shrimp cooked in a tomato based sauce with plenty of spices, onions, celery, and bell peppers.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup diced celery
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. oregano
• ½–¼ tsp. cayenne pepper powder
• ½ tsp. black pepper
• 1 Tbsp. flour
• About 10 dashes pepper sauce (like Tabasco)
• About 10 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth or water
• 12 oz. shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cups cooked rice

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Once the butter is hot, add the onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the veggies start to soften.
3. Add the garlic, salt, paprika, oregano, cayenne, and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes to allow the spices to release flavor.
4. Add the flour an cook for an additional 3 minutes, and then add the pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth or water.
5. Let the mixture come to a boil and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10 minutes.
6. Lay the shrimp in the sauce and cook for 4 minutes, flipping them halfway.
7. Remove the creole shrimp mixture from the heat and serve over cooked rice.