Shrimp Creole Recipe

Shrimp Creole is a classic southern dish that doesn’t stray far from good taste or tradition. This spicy meal will leave anyone hungry for more due to its famous taste and classic reputation. The creole sauce makes the shrimp and the rice it’s served with, marinate in goodness.

This easy shrimp recipe definitely satisfies our cravings for comfort food. Being a southern-based meal on the spicy side, it still leaves you begging for more. If you enjoy shrimp dishes, you can try our  Bacon Wrapped ShrimpInstant Pot Shrimp Boil and PF Chang’s Crispy Honey Shrimp Copycat.

Image of shrimp creole in a pot.

Best Shrimp Creole

Shrimp Creole brings southern cuisine to any place in the world. It’s the perfect dish when you’re looking to satisfy your seafood cravings on a budget. Many different types of seafood can be expensive, so finding different dishes involving shrimp keeps your wallet and your stomach happy.

I really enjoy making this dish because of the kick it has. The creole seasoning in combination with the steamed vegetables and garlic will never disappoint.  I love eating this because of how many varying ingredients and delicious combination of things is going on. It’s so good you will want to tell everyone about this recipe!

This recipe is great for leftovers as well because it will turn out just as delicious as the night before. Not to mention the fact that it is incredibly easy to reheat and store too!

Another way to enjoy this recipe is to try it with this Cajun seasoning mix! A slightly different taste that you may like.

Photo of homemade shrimp creole.

What is Shrimp Creole?

Shrimp Creole originated in Louisiana. It is a dish that has shrimp and is served with rice and a creole tomato sauce. The creole sauce includes bell peppers, onions, garlic, tomato all cooked up with several added spices. It resembles a thick and flavorful, shrimp stew.

What is the difference between etouffee and shrimp creole?

Etouffee typically has a thicker sauce and a different base of the creole.  A creole also typically is redder while the etouffee is more orange-brown. In addition, creole’s added tomatoes instead of roux for their base.

What size of shrimp works the best for this recipe?

I like using larger sized shrimp because when cooked their size is reduced quite a lot. Also, try buying peeled and deveined ones. This way you will save some time cleaning and peeling them. 

What goes with shrimp creole?

Traditionally, this dish is served over white rice. The rice is a blanket for all the delicious flavors you can find in the sauce. I really enjoy eating it with a side salad or some type of roasted vegetables

Also, it goes really well with cornbread or brioche bread

Shrimp creole over white rice photo.

Can shrimp creole be frozen?

Shrimp is great for freezing. Seeing that shrimp only lasts a few days in the refrigerator freezing is a great option if you want to save your dish for a later time. To freeze, add it to an airtight container or add to freezer-safe bags.

Also, make sure no air gets into the container or the freezer bags. Freeze for up to 3 months.

How to reheat it?

  • If frozen, first thaw in the fridge.
  • Reheat it in the microwave by using a microwave-safe dish and plastic wrap.
  • Once thawed, sautĂ© it in a pan with the sauce.
  • Similarly, put the shrimp is an aluminum tray or Dutch oven, heat in the oven or on the stove.

Shrimp Creole

Shrimp Creole

Catalina Castravet
Shrimp Creole is a classic southern dish that doesn't stray far from good taste or tradition. This spicy meal will leave anyone hungry for more due to its famous taste and classic reputation. 
5 from 11 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 297 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 medium sweet onion diced
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 celery stalk diced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 cans (14.5 oz each) stewed tomatoes
  • 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce optional
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning or Cajun seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 2 pounds shrimp peeled and deveined

Instructions
 

  • lace a large cast iron pan, or better a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  • Add oil and wait for it to heat up.
  • Add diced onion and garlic, stir and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add diced bell peppers and celery. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes. Until the peppers start to softer.
  • Add the stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce if using. Stir to combine.
  • Add the Creole seasoning, dried thyme, add salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes for a spicier kick. Stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring from time to time.
  • Add raw shrimp, stir and cook for another 7-10 minutes, until the shrimp is cooked through.
  • Taste the sauce and adjust for salt, pepper and spiciness.
  • Serve over rice and garnish with chopped parsley or green onions.

Nutrition

Calories: 297kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 34gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 381mgSodium: 2436mgPotassium: 994mgFiber: 4gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 1835IUVitamin C: 73.7mgCalcium: 297mgIron: 6.8mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Shrimp creole photo for pinterest.

5 from 11 votes

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22 Comments

  1. this will be on my list to make next week for my family! we love anything shrimp related and this looks easy to do!

  2. My husband loves this cuisine so much, but I have yet to master the recipes. THis one looks totally doable for me though.

  3. I have never made any kind of Creole before, Mostly because I thought it was difficult to do. I will definitely be trying this and I am pretty sure everybody in my family will like it.

  4. OK now this sounds absolutely delicious – I have to admit I love finding new ideas of ways to use shrimp, this is something I will definitely try!

  5. My kids and husband love their shrimp, so they’d be fans of this for sure. It looks like a tasty dish to have at dinner!5 stars

  6. Super flavorful comfort food? Yes, please! This tasty meal idea would be wonderful on a cold winter evening.5 stars

  7. While I’m a huge fan of shrimp, I’m not a huge fan of spice, so creole and cajun has never been something I’ve eaten much of.

  8. This definitely looks good. I think it has Louisiana written all over it. For my husband, I would have to try to eliminate some spices. He doesn’t like a lot of spicy foods, but I’m sure he’d love the other flavors this dis has in it.5 stars

  9. This looks like an amazing recipe. I’m not the biggest fan of shrimp though, but I do love a spicy dish. I’d love to give this a try though.

  10. This looks like an amazing recipe. My daughter and husband have been on a shrimp kick, so I’ll have to make this.5 stars

  11. That is delicious shrimp creole, I love Louisiana cuisine a lot this one is perfect treat. I am going to try for this weekend.5 stars

  12. I made this recipe for a Mardi Gras party/potluck and it was a huge success!  I served it over white rice and everyone said it was delicious.  Every bit was gone by the end of the evening.  This is a great recipe and I have several requests for it.  Oh, one more thing, I did use a good cerole seasoning but did not add the hot sauce or red pepper flakes.  It was plenty spicy without these two items.5 stars

  13. The best shrimp creole recipe I’ve ever made. Did not add red pepper flakes or hot sauce and it was perfect.5 stars

  14. If you use andouie use less spices I’m from Louisiana and that is a cajun sausage with alot of spice also great in gumbo and all creole dishes.