Louisiana Shrimp Etouffee
This quick and easy shrimp etouffee recipe is the perfect weeknight meal. With just a few ingredients and a little bit of time, you’ll have dinner on the table in no time
What is Shrimp Etouffee
Etouffee is a Cajun dish that features shrimp and tomatoes stewed in a rich, spicy sauce. It’s a delicious dish with lots of flavor and texture, which makes it great for entertaining guests or just enjoying on your own.
Ingredients
- Shrimp
- Onions
- Celery
- Bell pepper (red and green)
- Garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 5 cloves)
- Butter for frying the veggies and shrimp
- Flour for thickening the sauce (about 3 tablespoons)
- 1 pound corn on the cob, cut into 3-4 chunks
You can also find plenty of ingredients at most grocery stores: salt, pepper, garlic powder (or fresh garlic), these are all part of the classic “Cajun Trinity” which is often used as a base for many dishes from Louisiana cuisine!
Instructions
To make the shrimp etouffee:
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions, bell pepper and celery; sauté until vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, bay leaves and thyme; cook for 1 minute more.
- Place a large pot of water on the stove over high heat, adding 1 tablespoon salt for every gallon of water used. Once it comes to a boil, add the potatoes and let cook until fork-tender (about 10 minutes).
- While waiting for the potatoes to cook, place frozen shrimp into a colander and run under hot water just until thawed; drain well and set aside in a bowl with melted butter.
- Slice bell peppers into 1/2-inch pieces (slice into strips if desired) and add to boiling water; cook until tender but still firm (about 5 minutes). Drain peppers then transfer to ice bath or sink full of cold water until cool enough to handle comfortably; drain again then set aside in same bowl as shrimp with remaining butter mixture poured over top so that both sides are coated evenly with melted butter.
- Carefully add chicken broth and tomatoes to pan; bring to a simmer over medium-high heat then reduce heat to low so that sauce simmers gently (do not let it boil). Cover pan with wire whisk or wooden spoon handle; let simmer for 15 minutes while preparing rice according to package instructions (you may notice that there will be some foam on top of your broth—this is normal!).
- Remove from heat “To make sure no one burns their mouth when eating this dish!”
Special Note
This dish is quick, easy and delicious. It can be served over rice or pasta, mashed potatoes, rice noodles or grits. Enjoy!
Pro Tip
- You can add more hot sauce if you like spicy food.
- Use a variety of hot sauces.
- Add more garlic if you like garlic.
- Add more onion if you like onion.
- Add more tomato paste if you like tomato (and butter).
Add-ins and Variations
While the traditional recipe calls for filé powder, you’ll be surprised at how much more flavorful it is when made with fresh thyme. And if you can’t find that, just leave it out.
Additions:
- Add a splash of white wine while cooking to add another layer of flavor (and deglaze the pan).
Variations:
- Substitute your favorite veggies or other seafood for the shrimp—just make sure they’re cooked before adding them to the dish. You could also use crawfish tails or scallops instead of shrimp if you want!
Other Dishes That Go Well With This One:
- Etouffee is also great with grits and collard greens tossed in it too! Try serving two side dishes like these alongside this recipe so there will be plenty leftovers to reheat throughout the week. Other ideas include garlic mashed potatoes or polenta fries—they both work well with etouffee because they’re hearty enough to stand up against its bold flavors but mild enough not overpower them either!
Delicious dinner recipe to try.
This recipe is quick, easy to make and it’s healthy. It tastes great and is perfect for a family dinner. You can also make this in advance, which makes it the perfect option when you need a tasty meal on the table fast.
This recipe is a great way to try something new and tasty. It’s also very easy to make and won’t take you long at all! We know that sometimes when you need a meal in a hurry it can be difficult to find something quick, but we hope this recipe helps solve that problem.
The recipe is also perfect for a family dinner and will leave everyone feeling satisfied. This dish is great for those nights when you need something tasty and quick, but don’t have time to slave over a stovetop or in the kitchen.
