Sizzling Shrimp Creole Recipe: Spicy Southern Magic in Minutes!

Steaming hot and packed with bold flavors, this spicy shrimp creole recipe delivers a mouthwatering Cajun-style feast straight from Louisiana’s vibrant culinary traditions.

Southern comfort meets zesty seafood in a dish that dances with rich tomato sauce and perfectly seasoned shrimp.

Every bite tells a story of New Orleans’ legendary cuisine, blending fresh ingredients with generations of cooking wisdom.

The blend of aromatic herbs and fiery spices creates a symphony of taste that will transport you to the heart of the bayou.

Tender shrimp swim in a robust sauce that promises to ignite your taste buds with authentic Creole flair.

Prepare to savor a meal that’s both comforting and exciting, guaranteed to impress even the most discerning food enthusiasts.

Your dinner table is about to become a celebration of bold, unforgettable flavors.

Tools To Cook Shrimp Creole

• Large skillet or Dutch oven: Essential for sautéing vegetables and cooking the entire dish.
• Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, bell peppers, celery, and garnishes.
• Chef's knife: Perfect for precise vegetable and herb chopping.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients during cooking.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for adding precise amounts of seasonings and spices.
• Measuring cups: Useful for measuring broth and other liquid ingredients.

Steps To Prepare Shrimp Creole

• Kickstart the Flavor

Sprinkle Creole seasoning over shrimp, letting the spices dance and coat each morsel for maximum taste explosion.

• Build the Aromatic Base

Melt butter and oil in a large skillet, tossing onions, bell peppers, and celery until they soften and release their sweet, savory essence. Toss in garlic for a quick sizzle.

• Create the Spicy Sauce

Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Splash Worcestershire and hot sauce for depth. Stir in paprika, thyme, oregano, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture bubble and marry flavors.

• Develop Rich Complexity

Allow sauce to simmer and thicken, stirring occasionally. Watch as the liquid reduces and intensifies, creating a robust foundation for the shrimp.

• Introduce the Star

Gently fold shrimp into the bubbling sauce, cooking until they turn pink and curl slightly. Move quickly to prevent overcooking and maintain tender texture.

• Serve and Celebrate

Remove bay leaf, then ladle the vibrant Creole over steaming rice. Sprinkle fresh parsley and green onions for a bright, fresh finish that brings the whole dish to life.

Flavor Ideas For Shrimp Creole

• Quick Cooking Tricks for Creole Magic
• Seasoning Secret: Create a homemade Creole seasoning blend with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and cayenne for extra flavor depth.
• Texture Tip: Pat shrimp completely dry before seasoning to ensure perfect searing and prevent watery sauce.
• Delicious Diet Adaptations
• Low-Carb Option: Replace rice with cauliflower rice or serve over zucchini noodles for a lighter meal.
• Vegetarian Twist: Swap shrimp with firm tofu or mixed vegetables like okra, eggplant, and mushrooms for a hearty plant-based version.
• Flavor Boosting Hacks
• Spice Level Control: Adjust hot sauce quantity to match your heat tolerance, from mild to fiery.
• Fresh Ingredient Magic: Use fresh tomatoes instead of canned during summer for brighter, more vibrant flavor profile.
• Storage and Make-Ahead Wisdom
• Freezer Friendly: Store sauce separately from shrimp and rice to maintain optimal texture when reheating leftovers.

Best Ways To Serve Shrimp Creole

• Rustic Rice Haven: Ladle the vibrant Shrimp Creole over fluffy white rice, allowing the rich sauce to cascade and soak into each grain for maximum flavor absorption.
• Bayou Bread Companion: Serve alongside crusty French bread or cornbread to soak up the delicious tomato-based sauce, providing a perfect complementary texture and extra carbohydrate element.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and thinly sliced green onions on top for a bright, crisp garnish that adds color, freshness, and a subtle oniony kick to the dish.
• Louisiana Style Plating: Create an authentic New Orleans experience by using wide, shallow bowls that showcase the vibrant red sauce and succulent shrimp, reminiscent of traditional Creole dining presentations.

Storage Tips For Shrimp Creole

• Fridge Storage Magic: Transfer leftover Shrimp Creole to airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh and delicious for up to 3 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezer-Friendly Technique: Freeze individual portions in sealed freezer bags or containers, lasting up to 2 months. Separate rice and sauce to maintain better texture when reheating.
• Reheating Perfection: Gently warm in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth to restore moisture. Microwave with a damp paper towel for even heating, stirring midway to prevent hot spots.
• Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare sauce base ahead of time and refrigerate for 24-48 hours. Add fresh shrimp just before serving to ensure optimal flavor and prevent seafood from becoming rubbery during extended storage.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 267 kcal

Servings: 9

Everything Needed For Shrimp Creole

• Shrimp: Fresh, wild-caught shrimp bring briny ocean flavor and tender texture to this classic dish.

• Onion, Bell Pepper, Celery: Holy trinity of Creole cooking that creates a deep, rich flavor foundation.
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent depth to the sauce and enhances overall taste profile.

• Diced Tomatoes: Provides bright, tangy base with chunky texture for authentic Creole character.
• Tomato Sauce: Smooths and intensifies the sauce's richness and color.
• Chicken Broth: Adds subtle depth and helps create perfect sauce consistency.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Introduces complex, umami undertones typical in Louisiana cuisine.
• Hot Sauce: Delivers signature Creole spicy kick and vibrant heat.
• Paprika: Contributes warm, slightly smoky flavor and beautiful reddish color.
• Thyme, Oregano: Classic herbs that bring earthy, aromatic notes to the dish.
• Bay Leaf: Infuses subtle herbal essence and traditional Creole cooking technique.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning to balance and enhance all other flavors.

• Butter, Cooking Oil: Creates rich, smooth base for sautéing vegetables.
• Parsley, Green Onions: Fresh herbs that add bright color and crisp finish.
• Rice: Traditional accompaniment that absorbs and complements the spicy sauce.

Spicy Shrimp Creole Recipe

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4.6 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Spicy Louisiana shrimp creole blends Cajun culinary traditions with fresh Gulf Coast ingredients. Savory tomato-based sauce and plump shrimp create a hearty meal that delights palates and connects you to New Orleans’ rich cultural heritage.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 lb (680 g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tbsp Creole seasoning (like Tony Chacheres or homemade)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 oz/411 g) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• ½ cup chicken broth (or seafood stock)
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt & black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsps butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Cooked white rice
• Chopped parsley
• Chopped green onion

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Instructions

1. Spice Preparation: Lavishly coat shellfish with Creole spice blend, ensuring uniform seasoning. Let marinate while preparing sauce base.
2. Flavor Foundation: Heat butter and oil in large skillet. Sauté onions, bell peppers, and celery until translucent, then add garlic and cook briefly to release aromatic qualities.
3. Sauce Development: Incorporate diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Blend Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, paprika, thyme, oregano, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper, creating a rich, complex sauce.
4. Sauce Reduction: Simmer sauce for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow liquid to thicken and flavors to intensify, developing a deep, concentrated essence.
5. Shellfish Integration: Gently immerse seasoned shrimp into simmering sauce. Cook until shellfish turns pink and becomes opaque, approximately 5-7 minutes. Monitor carefully to prevent overcooking and maintain tender texture.
6. Plating and Garnish: Remove bay leaf. Serve Creole shrimp over steamed rice, adorned with freshly chopped parsley and green onion rings for vibrant presentation and additional flavor dimension.

Notes

• Manage Seafood Freshness: Select high-quality, fresh shrimp and remove shells/veins completely before seasoning to enhance flavor absorption and ensure food safety.
• Prevent Overcooking Shrimp: Monitor cooking time carefully, removing shrimp precisely when they turn pink and opaque to maintain tender, succulent texture; overcooking leads to rubbery, tough shellfish.
• Balance Spice Levels: Adjust hot sauce and Creole seasoning according to personal heat tolerance; start with smaller quantities and incrementally increase for controlled, personalized flavor profile.
• Enhance Rice Pairing: Choose long-grain white rice or traditional Louisiana-style rice as base; consider briefly toasting rice in butter before cooking to develop deeper, nuttier undertones that complement the Creole sauce’s rich complexity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Cajun/Creole

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 267
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 740 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 19 g
• Cholesterol: 151 mg