Shrimp Creole Recipe – A Simple & Flavorful Dinner For Two

Shrimp Creole is one of those dishes that is full of flavor but only requires just a handful of ingredients. It’s a classic Louisiana dish made with shrimp simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce and served over rice.

What I love most about this recipe is how it brings together simple vegetables, seafood, and seasonings to create a true Southern comfort food meal. When I make Shrimp Creole, it brings memories of my childhood when I would watch Justin Wilson on television.

His show featured Louisiana style cooking and I will never forget his famous catchphrases of “Garontee” and “How Y’all Are”. This is when I first learned how to take everyday, ordinary food and make them special by providing a combination of seasonings.

However, now that there are just two of us at home, I had to scale down my original recipe. And now that the kids are out of the house, I can adjust my spice preferences, whether I am in the mood for something with a mild kick or something more intense.

This recipe uses many ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, like canned tomatoes, stock, and spices. Add in a few fresh vegetables and shrimp and you have a true comfort food meal that will soon become a favorite in your house, as it has in mine.

Shrimp Creole Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

The Ingredients

This Shrimp Creole recipe has a relatively short ingredient list, but every element plays an important role in building the dish’s flavor. Specific measurements are located in the recipe card below.

Vegetables

• Onion, celery, and green bell pepper: This trio is known as the “Holy Trinity” in Creole and Cajun cooking. Just like when you make Jambalaya or Gumbo, these vegetables form the base of the dish, adding sweetness and depth.
• Parsley: Adds a fresh, herby note that brightens up the dish.
• Garlic: Essential for a boost of warm flavor.

Liquids

• Seafood stock or chicken stock: Either one works well, but seafood stock enhances the flavor of the shrimp.
• Canned diced tomatoes and tomato juice: These provide the tomato base for the Creole sauce.
• Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce: These add layers of umami and heat.

Spices

• Salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper: These seasonings bring your Shrimp Creole to life. Adjust the cayenne to your heat preference.

Protein and Carbs

• Shrimp: Medium-sized shrimp are ideal, but you can use whatever size you prefer. Just make sure they’re peeled, deveined and uncooked.
• White rice: The perfect accompaniment to soak up all that flavorful sauce.

INSTRUCTIONS – Shrimp Creole

1. Prepare the Vegetables

Start by prepping your onion, celery, green bell pepper, parsley, and garlic. Dice them into small, even pieces. This helps them cook evenly and ensures they blend into the sauce beautifully.

2. Sauté the Holy Trinity

In a large skillet or pot, heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onion, celery, bell pepper, and parsley. Sauté the vegetables for about 4 minutes, or until they’re tender. This step builds the flavor base for the dish, so don’t rush it.

3. Add the Liquids and Garlic

Stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Then, pour in the seafood stock (or chicken stock), canned diced tomatoes, and tomato juice. These ingredients will form the saucy base of your Shrimp Creole.

4. Season the Sauce

Next, add the Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a simmer. Once it’s bubbling gently, reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 20 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.

5. Cook the Shrimp

After the sauce has simmered, it’s time to add the shrimp. Gently stir the shrimp into the sauce, ensuring they’re fully submerged. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink, opaque, and curled. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become rubbery.

6. Serve with Rice

To serve, ladle rice into two bowls. Then place a scoop of the Shrimp Creole in the center of each bowl. The rice helps balance the spicy, flavorful sauce and makes the dish more filling.

Recipe Tips and Substitutions

Shrimp

For this recipe, I used 1 pound of medium shrimp, but you can easily substitute large shrimp or even jumbo shrimp. If you’re in a pinch, pre-cooked shrimp can work – just be sure to add them in the last minute of cooking to warm them through.

Stock

Seafood stock gives the dish an authentic Creole flavor, but chicken stock is a great substitute if that’s what you have on hand. Vegetable stock can also work for a lighter flavor.

Heat Levels

If you’re not a fan of spicy food, reduce the cayenne pepper or omit the hot sauce. On the other hand, if you love heat, consider adding extra hot sauce or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.

Rice

White rice is the traditional choice, but brown rice or even cauliflower rice can work if you’re looking for a healthier option.

Storing and Reheating

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat the Shrimp Creole gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of stock or water if the sauce has thickened too much.

Keep in mind that shrimp can become rubbery if reheated too many times, so try to eat it within a day or two.

Shrimp Creole is a dish that proves you don’t need a ton of ingredients or time to make something truly special. With its rich tomato-based sauce and tender shrimp, it’s a meal that’s sure to become a favorite.

Whether you’re making a dish to celebrate Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, or looking for an easy, one pot comfort food meal, this recipe is a keeper!

Enjoy! Mary

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