Description
Culinary magic meets Southern charm in this mouthwatering Shrimp Creole recipe, celebrating New Orleans’ rich flavor heritage. Spicy, succulent shrimp dance with robust tomato sauce, promising a delectable journey you’ll savor with every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds large shrimp (16–20 size), peeled, deveined, and tails off
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, deseeded and minced
- 2–3 celery ribs, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- Additional parsley sprigs for garnish
Seasonings, Liquids, and Cooking Fats:
- 2 tablespoons neutral canola oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Hot sauce, adjusted to taste
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Steamed rice, served on the side or underneath
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, sautéing onions, bell peppers, and celery until vegetables become translucent and slightly softened, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Introduce aromatic spices including minced garlic, Cajun seasoning, thyme, cayenne, and bay leaf, stirring continuously to prevent burning and allow spices to release their intense flavors for about 60 seconds.
- Create the foundational sauce by adding tomato sauce, rinsing the can with water to capture every bit of tomato, and incorporating Worcestershire sauce. Gently raise the temperature to achieve a mild bubbling consistency.
- Reduce heat and allow sauce to simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent scorching and enable the liquid to condense into a rich, clingy texture.
- Carefully fold raw shrimp into the simmering sauce, cooking for 2-3 minutes until they transform from translucent to opaque pink, ensuring each piece is evenly heated without becoming tough.
- Perform final seasoning adjustments using salt, black pepper, and optional hot sauce. Discard bay leaf, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately over steamed rice while piping hot.
Notes
- Lower the heat and add a splash of water if the vegetables start browning too quickly, ensuring even cooking and preventing bitter flavors.
- Stirring seasonings for a minute releases their essential oils, creating a more intense and aromatic flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
- Cook shrimp briefly – only 1-2 minutes per side – to maintain their tender, juicy texture and avoid rubbery consistency.
- Substitute shrimp with tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian version, or use cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice for a low-carb alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun/Creole
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg