Description
This Best Shrimp Creole recipe delivers a flavorful, hearty Creole-style shrimp stew cooked in a rich tomato-based sauce with aromatic vegetables and a blend of spices. Served over fluffy white rice, this dish is a perfect main course showcasing authentic Louisiana flavors with a satisfying spicy kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1/2 cup chicken or seafood broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
To Serve
- Cooked white rice
- Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and diced celery. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until it becomes fragrant but not browned, enhancing the sauce’s flavor.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Add diced tomatoes with juice, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and broth to the skillet. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce if using, bay leaf, dried thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper if you want extra heat, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine everything thoroughly.
- Simmer Sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Let it simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken and intensify in flavor during this time.
- Cook Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the sauce. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring gently, until the shrimp turn pink and are just cooked through.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the chopped fresh parsley. Serve the shrimp creole hot over cooked white rice, and garnish with lemon wedges if desired for a fresh zesty touch.
Notes
- For the best flavor, use fresh Gulf shrimp.
- You can prepare the sauce ahead of time and refrigerate it; just add shrimp and cook before serving.
- Adjust the spice level by increasing or omitting hot sauce and cayenne pepper to suit your taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Creole
