The Best Shrimp Creole Recipe
Sharing The Best Shrimp Creole recipe! I’ve been making this Shrimp Creole recipe for clients for as long as I’ve been a personal chef, and it’s always a hit! This beloved New Orleans dish is super easy to make, doesn’t require a roux, and can be on the table in about 45 minutes for a taste of the Big Easy any night!
“Sooooo good! Will be a go-to recipe for me. The flavor was outstanding and that squirt of lemon….chef’s kiss!”
Why This Recipe is a Keeper!
Shrimp Creole is a vibrant and flavorful dish with roots deeply embedded in the rich culinary tapestry of Louisiana Creole cuisine.
Because of that deep and rich history, it’s always a little scary when you proclaim something to be…. The best! However, I’ve made this New Orleans creole shrimp recipe a few hundred times over a 22-year personal chef career, and it’s always a hit. I first had Shrimp Creole in New Orleans, and this comes mighty close!
This Creole classic starts with onions, celery, and green bell pepper (called the “Holy Trinity”), which are sauteed until melty soft. Then, Creole seasoning is added with more herbs and spices to take it up yet another notch. The savory tomato sauce simmers with all this goodness, ready for the shrimp to be added, which is then cooked to perfection!
This Shrimp Creole recipe is:
- Easy!
- Quick! This classic shrimp creole recipe can be ready and on your table in about 45 minutes.
- Authentic! Be sure to check out the reviews from folks who know a thing or two about Shrimp Creole!
How to Make The Best Shrimp Creole!
Recipe Ingredients:
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this New Orleans Shrimp Creole recipe, along with how to prep the ingredients. See the recipe card below for the exact quantities.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:
- Oil and Butter: A little butter in this Shrimp Creole recipe adds a touch of richness. Because butter tends to burn, you want to combine it with oil. You could also use all ghee (clarified butter) because the milk solids (which is what burns) have been removed from it.
- Onion/Celery/Green Bell Pepper: This combination is called the “holy trinity” in Cajun and Creole cuisine, and it’s the backbone of many New Orleans-style recipes. It’s similar to a French mirepoix, which is onions, celery, and carrots; however, this combination is green bell pepper instead of carrots. With the “holy trinity,” you want to keep the ratio approximately the same as a mirepoix: 2 parts onion, 1 part celery, and 1 part green bell pepper.
- Cajun/Creole Seasoning: Though closely related, Cajun and Creole seasonings do differ. Cajun seasoning is a blend of ground peppers, such as cayenne, black pepper, and white pepper, while Creole seasoning leans towards herbs like paprika, oregano, and thyme. Some blends may mix elements, including pepper in Creole seasonings or herbs in Cajun seasonings. The famous Tony Chachere’s brand refers to it as Creole seasoning.
- Tomato Sauce: Canned tomato sauce starts with fresh tomatoes or tomato puree and is then cooked and strained before additional seasonings are added. Because of the added seasonings, I prefer canned tomato sauce to crushed tomatoes or puree in my Shrimp Creole recipe.
- Shrimp: You can use any size, but I like to use large shrimp, 16-20 count (approximate number per pound). I also always use wild-caught shrimp. Farmed shrimp tends to be rubbery; if overcooked even a bit, it also gets tough. Wild-caught shrimp is much more resilient and if you want to reheat this Shrimp Creole recipe, you’ll have a much better result.
Step-By-Step Instructions:
- Gather and prep all the ingredients.
- Heat oil and butter over medium-high heat in a skillet or saute pan. Add the onion, pepper and celery.
- Reduce heat to medium and cook for approximately 10 to 12 minutes or until vegetables are very soft, adjusting heat as necessary so vegetables don’t burn.
- Add the garlic, Cajun seasoning, thyme, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf. Stir briefly.
- Add the tomato sauce, water and Worcestershire.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes or until sauce thickens.
- Stir in the shrimp and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until firm and pink, flipping halfway through so they cook evenly.
- Add hot sauce, salt and black pepper to taste.
- Remove bay leaf, sprinkle with parsley, and serve immediately with hot, cooked rice and lemon wedges.
- Enjoy! New Orleans Shrimp Creole! Laissez le bon temps rouler!
Chef Tips and Tricks:
- The “holy trinity” of onions, celery, and bell peppers must be super melty soft, so the flavor comes through!
- Adding the dry spices (Creole seasoning, cayenne, thyme, and bay leaf) directly to the hot fat in the pan rather than just adding them to the sauce helps them to “bloom.”
Frequently Asked Questions:
Shrimp Creole is a dish of Louisiana Creole origin with a tomato base. Another famous New Orleans dish, shrimp etouffee, has a roux (fat plus flour) base. Both are usually served over rice.
Shrimp Creole originated from southern Louisiana. Creole cooking comes from French, Spanish, and African people.
Yes, but to a point. Get the Shrimp Creole sauce done to the point of adding the shrimp. Cool it down completely and refrigerate. When ready to serve, get the sauce simmering, then add the shrimp as directed and cook through.
Storage and How to Reheat Shrimp Creole:
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator. To reheat, place leftovers in a small saucepan and add water or broth if the sauce has thickened up. Gently reheat over low heat until steaming, stirring frequently until hot, being careful not to overcook the shrimp.
Serve with:
- Cooked rice or cauliflower rice
- Sauteed Kale with Andouille Sausage
- Cream Cheese Corn Casserole
- Creamy Cucumber Salad with Yogurt
More great shrimp recipes you’ll love!
- Mexican Shrimp Cocktail
- Shrimp in Avocado Butter
- Shrimp Scampi with Artichokes
- Spicy Shrimp and Grits Casserole
Get all my fish and seafood recipes at Fish and Seafood Recipes – From A Chef’s Kitchen.
The Best Shrimp Creole Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion - finely chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper - seeds and membrane removed finely chopped
- 2-3 stalks (ribs) celery - chopped (you want about the same amount as green bell pepper)
- 4 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun/Creole seasoning - or to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 can (15-ounce) tomato sauce
- 1 cup water - about half the can to rinse it out
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 pounds large shrimp - 16-20 count, peeled and deveined, tail removed
- Tabasco sauce - to taste
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper - to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley plus sprigs for garnish
- Lemon wedges
- Cooked rice - for serving
Instructions
- Heat oil and butter over medium-high heat in a skillet or saute pan. Add the onion, pepper and celery.
- Reduce heat to medium and cook approximately 10-12 minutes or until vegetables are very soft, adjusting heat as necessary so vegetables don’t burn.
- Add the garlic, Cajun/Creole seasoning, thyme, cayenne pepper and bay leaf. Stir briefly.
- Add the tomato sauce, water and Worcestershire.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered 8-10 minutes or until sauce thickens.
- Stir in the shrimp and cook 1-2 minutes or until just firm, flipping halfway through so they cook evenly.
- Add hot sauce, salt and black pepper to taste.
- Remove bay leaf, sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately with hot, cooked rice and lemon wedges.
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Recipe Notes
- Use ghee (clarified butter) in place of the oil and butter combination.
- Adding the dry spices directly to the hot fat in the pan rather than just adding them to the sauce helps them to “bloom.”
- Get the sauce prepared to the point of adding the shrimp. Cool and refrigerate.
- When ready to serve, get the sauce simmering on the stovetop then add the shrimp and cook through.
- Place leftovers in a small saucepan and add a little water if the sauce has thickened up. Gently reheat over low heat until steaming, stirring frequently until hot, being careful not to overcook the shrimp.
- Although any shrimp dish is best served immediately, you can freeze the leftovers. Thaw in the refrigerator, then gently reheat in a saucepan over low heat.
- You can also get the sauce prepared to the point of adding the shrimp. Cool completely, place in an airtight container, and freeze the sauce for 1-2 months. Then, get the sauce simmering on the stovetop and add the shrimp. (How great to have something like this in your back pocket for unexpected guests!)
Nutrition
These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
I did not make yours exactly. I am creole and my recipe is similar to yours – one addition my family always adds is sautéed okra – that is shrimp creole to me. I recognize not everyone likes okra but it sure makes it THE BEST!!
Hi, Beth, Thanks so very much for the tip! I happen to really like okra so I would definitely see adding it. Thanks again!
I love the idea of adding okra. If using frozen cut okra, do you recommend sauteing it separately before adding to the sauce or would it work to just add it directly? When making gumbo, I add it in directly and it works fine. I love okra, slime and all, and find that it actually helps to thicken the gumbo a bit!
Hi, Sara, Thanks so much for your question. I agree on the okra! I think it’s underrated. I’d add the frozen cut okra directly after adding the tomato sauce, water, etc. then add the shrimp. Thanks again and let me know how it went.
I made this recipe and it was so delicious. Definitely planning to make shrimp creole again. Thank you!!
Hi, Anthony, Thanks so much and so glad you enjoyed!
The best! I would not change a thing. Packed with flavor.
I have made this creole several times now. Absolutely love it. So delicious and so easy. Peeling the shrimp is the only thing that takes a little time. I use the Tony Chachere’s Bold seasoning so I don’t add the cayenne.
Thank you for this great recipe
Your “best” Shrimp Creole really rocks. It was easy to prepare and super tasty. I didn’t change anything. I’ve shared this recipe with my friends and family. Thanks for posting!
Was looking for a recipe to make for my father from New Orleans. He always complains that Cajun and creole dishes aren’t spicy enough for him. EVERYONE enjoyed this. In addition to the shrimp, I threw in some unknown (to me) cubed white fish filling up my freezer from one of hubbie’s fishing trips that I didn’t know what to do with, and even that was excellent. Truly a keeper!
For Father’s Day, I asked my husband what dish he wanted me to prepare, so when he said shrimp creole, I scoured the internet reviewing the ingredients and preparation instructions. I decided on your recipe because based on my cooking intelligence and the comments, it seemed to be the best option. Boy, am I glad. The only modification I made was reduced the cayenne by half because I knew my son would call it spicy.
This is definitely a keeper! Can’t wait to make it again.
Hi, Tania, I can’t even begin to express how much your comment means to me. Thank you so very much!!! So glad you all enjoyed and it helped make your Father’s Day special! Thanks again!
Please I had a receipt for shrimp creole that was on back of can that used ketchup can you please find it for me
Hi, Linda, Thanks for your question. Perhaps do a Google search for your recipe. You may want to try this version instead. Never heard of making Shrimp Creole with ketchup.
I love this recipe! It does pack some heat, so we cut the cayenne and hot sauce a little bit. We also brown andouille sausage slices and serve it with the meal for some extra flavor and meat. I would definitely recommend it. This recipe is a keeper 🙂
Hi, Haley, Thanks so much and glad you enjoyed! Love that you serve with some andouille on the side. Thanks again!
I loved the andouille idea. I added it to the skillet with the rest of the ingredients toward the end. The dish was a hit. I will make again. Thanks!!
Thanks so much, Jeff! Glad you and yours enjoyed!
So we have made this recipe twice now and love it! We cut the cayenne a little bit since we’re sensitive to the heat, but it comes out wonderful. We actually brown andouille sausage slices in a cast iron skillet and serve it with this for some extra meat and flavor. Strongly recommended!