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Home / Types / Southern / Southern Dinner

Shrimp Etouffee (Plus Video)

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Author: Imma Published:8/11/2021Updated:10/19/2021
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Shrimp Etouffee is a juicy shrimp dish smothered in rich and flavorful roux boasting rich, authentic southern flavors. Its bold spices are incredibly mouthwatering, and even better, it’s super easy to make!

Two bowls of Shrimp Étouffée  with rice in the background.

I totally appreciate easy, quick, and tasty meals. But if you want to put something exciting on your dining table, this Shrimp Etouffee recipe is a good place to start.

The French know how to make delicious food, but throw in a kick of African and Creole seasonings, and you have an unforgettable combination.

Once you taste it, you’ll want to put it on a weekly rotation. So while you’re planning your weekly menu, you might as well add this homemade Creole Seasoning to your spice list. It’s the mother of all Southern spices that adds depth and richness to any dish, plus it’s quick to put together and can be easily customized to your personal preference.

Contents…

Recipe Ingredients
How to Make
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead and Storage
FAQs
What to Serve
Other Awesome Seafood Recipes
Watch How to Make It

A skillet full of shrimp etouffee garnished with chopped parsley.

What Does Etouffee Mean?

You are probably thinking, what on earth is étouffée? I just love the way it sounds so French. It means smother or suffocate from the verb etouffée (from the fabulicious sauce that smothers it), and the pronunciation is something like AY-too-FAY. Yeah, I know you are not here for French 101. So I’ll bid adieu to this and get back to what you love.

What is the Difference Between Shrimp Creole and Shrimp Etouffee?

Shrimp etouffee is juicy, decadent shrimp smothered in a thick spicy sauce, then served with steaming white rice. On the other hand, Shrimp Creole has a thinner, more stew-like sauce and isn’t quite as spicy. However, both are equally delicious because the tomatoes, onions, celery, bell pepper, and garlic add an extra rich flavor.

Recipe Ingredients

shrimp etouffee ingredients on a sheet pan
  • Roux – Oil, butter, and flour make the perfect roux. Toasted flour and fat, when done right, are what make this shrimp etouffee recipe so awesome. If you need a gluten-free version, try an all-purpose gluten-free flour or cornstarch for the roux.
  • The Holy Trinity – Green bell pepper, onion, and celery are a staple in Southern Creole cooking because this holy trinity adds substance and flavor.
  • Creole Spices – Garlic, thyme, bay leaves, Creole Seasoning (why not make your own?), and smoked paprika are staples in Creole and Cajun cooking. Yum!
  • Tomatoes – This slightly acidic fruit makes a good base for many sauces, except for fruit salad. It balances the herbs’ intense flavors.
  • Worcestershire Sauce – This interesting flavor-enhancer that has an incredible variety of spices. Who would have thought anchovies and cloves would figure into the mix?
  • Seafood Broth – You can use store-bought, but I also include instructions on making your own. Why spend money needlessly when you can use what you already have? Chicken, beef, and vegetable broth also work if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Shrimp – I love seafood, and this is the cheapest way to satisfy my seafood craving. You can get it on sale and store it in the freezer for those nights you need something you can throw together quickly. If you want to go all out, lobster and crab are both delicious! Even chicken and pork would make a good etouffee.
  • Parsley and Green Onions – These beauties are not only a beautiful garnish, but they’re also a delicious topping on stews and soups. A little green on top of the plate always looks gorgeous.

How to Make Shrimp Etouffee

Instructions 1-4 making the seafood stock for shrimp etouffee

Shrimp Stock

  1. Saute the Ingredients – Add a teaspoon or two of butter or oil to a saucepan or skillet. Then throw in shrimp shells, the remaining scraps of onion, garlic, celery together with aromatics like bay leaf and thyme. (Photo 1)
  2. Add the Water – Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, constantly stirring to prevent burning. Add about 5 cups of water to it. (Photo 2)
  3. Simmer Away – Bring to a boil, lower heat, and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
  4. Almost Done – Remove from heat and strain using a sieve. Set stock aside. (Photo 3)
Instructions 5-8 Making the roux and sauce for shrimp etouffee
Instructions 9-12 The final stretch in making shrimp etouffee with shrimp sauce and white rice.

Etouffee

  1. Make the Roux – In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine melted butter, oil, and flour until smooth. (Photo 4)
  2. Patience – Cook on medium heat, stirring continuously, for about 10-12 minutes, or until you have achieved the desired color. During this process, don’t walk away from the stove because it might burn. (Photo 5)
  3. Make the Sauce – Add the onion, green pepper, and celery, and cook for 8-10 minutes – stirring frequently. (Photo 6)
  4. Add the Herbs – Then add garlic, thyme, and bay leaf – continue stirring about 2 minutes longer. (Photo 7)
  5. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings – Next, throw in about 1 cup chopped tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and Creole seasoning, and let it cook for 5 minutes. (Photo 8)
  6. Add the Stock and Shrimp – Gradually pour in about 2 cups of shrimp stock, bring to a boil, and let it simmer. Add the shrimp and simmer for 5 more minutes. Or you may season the shrimp with Creole seasoning, sauté for about 5 minutes, and then throw it in at the last minute. You’ve got two options here – both work. (Photo 9 & 10)
  7. Make Adjustments – Adjust the soup’s thickness and flavor with more shrimp broth or water, hot sauce, and salt. (Photo 11)
  8. Garnish – Stir in the green onions and chopped parsley. (Photo 12)
  9. Serve over hot cooked rice.

Recipe Variations

Etouffee is made with shellfish. So don’t limit yourself to shrimp. Crawfish Etouffee is incredible if you can’t get some fresh crawfish when it’s in season. But, hey, clams, oysters, mussels, lobsters, and crab all sound terrific.

Do you love the etouffee flavors but want a vegetarian version? Vegetable broth instead of seafood broth and baby portabellos, oyster mushrooms, tempeh, and eggplant instead of seafood all make suitable seafood substitutes.

Would you like to make it paleo? Use ghee instead of butter, arrowroot powder instead of flour (skip making the roux and add it as a slurry), and yuca fries instead of rice.

Tips and Tricks

  • The key to success for this dish is the roux (or sauce). Some people like the brown roux for deep, bold flavors, but I prefer the blonde roux for two reasons: First, it takes less time, approximately 5-7 minutes, to get rid of the flour’s raw flavor. And second, it has a slightly nutty taste, not as strong as gumbo but equally tasty in its own right.
  • Be sure to cook it over medium to low heat with constant stirring and whisking. Don’t stop even for a second, or you might end up having a burnt roux. 
  • This is one recipe that is best to get shell-on shrimp, if possible. Do not let the shelling and deveining of the shrimp scare you! They make for a quick and easy stock, and it’s flavorful too!

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead and Leftovers – This incredible dish is the perfect make-ahead. The flavor is even better the next day, so go ahead and make it the day before. Let it cool, then store it in the fridge. Make your rice and reheat your shrimp etouffee on the stove when you’re ready to serve. You keep your leftovers the same way.

Freezing – If I plan on freezing my etouffee for later, I try not to cook the shrimp first. Then I let the sauce thaw overnight in the fridge, and when I’m ready to serve it, I heat it in a pot on the stovetop and throw the shrimp it’s heating up.

Reheating – Heating leftovers is a breeze. Just warm it up in a pot on the stove. Heat your rice in a separate saucepan. Leftover rice is pretty dry, so you’ll want to add a splash of water to your rice so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan and burn.

FAQs

Etoufee vs. Gumbo

They’re both mouthwateringly good. Etoufee is a sauce, meaning it’s much thicker than gumbo. Gumbo is a soup (stew) with okra and gumbo filé to thicken it. The flavor in etouffee is actually a bit more intense.

Does etouffee have tomatoes?

That depends on whether you want Creole or Cajun food. The Cajun version nix tomatoes, but the Creole way puts them in. I like tomatoes, so they’re on my ingredient list.

Is etouffee spicy?

Another advantage to learning how to make your own etouffee is that you can control the amount of spice. Honestly, most dishes that are Creole or Cajun are spicy. No need to even ask.🤣

What Goes with Shrimp Etouffee

  • Homemade Garlic Bread
  • Fried Okra
  • Cajun Baked Sweet Potato Fries
  • Skillet Cornbread

Other Awesome Seafood Recipes

  • Salmon Salad
  • Seafood Paella
  • Lobster Mac & Cheese
  • Grilled Shrimp Kabobs
  • Shrimp Risotto
Shrimp Étouffée on a white plate with a scoop of white rice on top.

Watch How to Make It

 

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Shrimp Étouffée
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Shrimp Etouffee

Shrimp Etouffee is a juicy shrimp dish smothered in rich and flavorful roux boasting rich, authentic southern flavors. Its bold spices are incredibly mouthwatering, and even better, it's super easy to make!
5 from 3 votes
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 30 mins
Total: 40 mins
Southern
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon (28 ml) canola oil
  • 2 tablespoon (28 g ) butter
  • ¼ cup (31 g) flour
  • ½ medium onion, diced
  • ½ cup green bell pepper, diced
  • ⅓ cup celery, chopped (about 1-2 stalks)
  • 2 teaspoon (10 g) garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon (1 g) thyme, fresh or dried
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 cup tomato, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon (1 g) smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoon (8 g) Creole seasoning
  • 2 cup (500 ml) seafood broth (can sub with water)
  • 1 pound (453 g) shrimp, (peeled and deveined) reserve shrimp shells
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) hot sauce, optional
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • 2-3 tablespoon (8-12 g) parsley, chopped

Instructions

Shrimp Stock

  • Add a teaspoon or two of butter or oil to a saucepan or skillet. Then throw in shrimp shells, the remaining scraps of onion, garlic, celery together with aromatics like bay leaf and thyme. 
  • Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, constantly stirring to prevent burning. Add about 5 cups of water to it. 
  • Remove from heat and strain using a sieve. Set stock aside.

Etouffee

  • In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine melted butter, oil, and flour until smooth. 
  • Cook on medium heat, stirring continuously, for about 10-12 minutes, or until you have achieved the desired color. During this process, don't walk away from the stove because it might burn. 
  • Add the onion, green pepper, and celery, and cook for 8-10 minutes – stirring frequently. 
  • Then add garlic, thyme, and bay leaf – continue stirring about 2 minutes longer. 
  • Next, throw in about 1 cup chopped tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, and Creole seasoning, and let it cook for 5 minutes.
  • Gradually pour in about 2 cups of shrimp stock, bring to a boil, and let it simmer. Add the shrimp and simmer for 5 more minutes. Or you may season the shrimp with Creole seasoning, sauté for about 5 minutes, and then throw it in at the last minute. You've got two options here – both work.
  • Adjust the soup's thickness and flavor with more shrimp broth or water, hot sauce, and salt. 
  • Stir in the green onions and chopped parsley.
  • Serve over hot cooked rice.

Tips & Notes:

  • Comparable to gumbo and jambalaya, it’s made with Southern holy trinity. The roux is not as dark as the gumbo.
  • Feel free to switch out the shrimp with crawfish. I suppose you could even use chicken if you’re allergic to seafood. Just make sure to cook the chicken through.
  • If you want to add crabs to this recipe, cut down on shrimp or double everything else, minus the shrimp.
  • The key to success for this dish is the roux (or sauce). Some people like the brown roux for deep, bold flavors, but I prefer the blonde roux for two reasons: First, it takes up less time, approximately 5-7 minutes, to get rid of the flour’s raw flavor. And second, it has a slightly nutty taste, not as strong as gumbo, but equally tasty in its own right.
  • If you have the patience and persistence and want that brown roux flavor, go for it. Don’t let me stop you.
  • Be sure to cook it over medium to low heat with constant stirring and whisking. Don’t stop even for a second, or you might end up having a burned roux. 
  • This is one recipe that is best to get shell-on shrimp, if possible. Do not let the shelling and deveining of the shrimp scare you! They make for a quick and easy stock, and it’s flavorful too!
  • Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1cup| Calories: 300kcal (15%)| Carbohydrates: 13g (4%)| Protein: 27g (54%)| Fat: 15g (23%)| Saturated Fat: 4g (25%)| Cholesterol: 300mg (100%)| Sodium: 215mg (9%)| Potassium: 414mg (12%)| Fiber: 1g (4%)| Sugar: 2g (2%)| Vitamin A: 1385IU (28%)| Vitamin C: 32.6mg (40%)| Calcium: 189mg (19%)| Iron: 3.7mg (21%)
Author: Imma
Course: Main
Cuisine: Southern
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Comments & Reviews
  1. Bruce Steadman says

    Posted on 8/11 at 8:49AM

    My mouth watered as I read the ingredients and directions. I will make it tonight after me wife and I do the shopping. One thing I missed was the recipe for shrimp sauce. Is it listed by another name? Thank you.

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 8/12 at 3:26AM

      Thanks, Bruce! i hope and your wife enjoy this. As for the shrimp sauce, do you mean this Cocktail Sauce Recipe?

      Reply
  2. Linda Power says

    Posted on 8/11 at 7:28AM

    5 stars
    This recipe is absolutely the best! Since I discovered this recipe, it is my number 1 shrimp dish to prepare. I always make it when I have company, they love it! The flavors are amazing and as an added bonus its really an easy recipe to make. I would encourage anybody who loves shrimp and an incredibly delicious recipe, to try this!

    Reply
  3. BK says

    Posted on 8/5 at 8:00PM

    5 stars
    I had been craving either spicy Cajun gumbo or etouffee for a few weeks. I chose this recipe after searching Cajun recipes for hours. I’m glad I pick this one. It was damn good. Didn’t chance a thing. Only downside, it took me at least 2 hours to make it.

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 8/6 at 3:40AM

      Thank you for making these recipe, BK!

      Reply
  4. P Blount says

    Posted on 7/7 at 9:37AM

    5 stars
    I made this recipe followed it to the letter and it was amazing. making the roux is the secret. It has a lot of steps but if you get everything and have it available it goes together perfectly. thanks for sharing

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 7/7 at 11:13PM

      Thank you for making this recipe and glad that you enjoyed it 🙂

      Reply
  5. Noel Christianson says

    Posted on 5/28 at 6:19PM

    5 stars
    My first etoufee and it was fabulous. Will make again!

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 5/31 at 1:21AM

      Woohoo! Thank you, Noel! Glad it turned out fabulous!! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Jeanne Talberg says

    Posted on 5/9 at 7:14PM

    Just made this for dinner tonight, Holy Moly! Was this good! Just the right amount of spice, I have happy taste buds right now. I am in Minnesota and there’s a business that brings fresh gulf shrimp, etc. every 2 weeks to us. So between the fresh, delicious shrimp and this recipe, had such a great dinner. thank you for all the wonderful recipes!

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 5/9 at 9:16PM

      Yay! Thank you for sharing, Jeanne! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Lynn Kelly says

    Posted on 4/15 at 11:56AM

    5 stars
    It took me a lot longer to prep, but it’s not hard, just need time and it’s well worth the effort. Great recipe to do for a crowd.

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 4/16 at 1:41AM

      Thank you, Lynn! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Kayla says

    Posted on 3/21 at 11:14PM

    5 stars
    It came out great! Such a great recipe

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 3/22 at 3:27AM

      Yay! Thank you, Kayla!

      Reply
  9. nina s preston says

    Posted on 3/21 at 4:22PM

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness Imma, this was so good! The only thing I did different was I made the stock with a can of chicken broth and a can of water. This is my 3rd recipe I’ve made of yours and was not disappointed, delicious! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 3/22 at 3:36AM

      Amazing! Thank you, Nina! I’m excited for you to try more recipes 🙂

      Reply
  10. Lesa Smith says

    Posted on 3/13 at 5:17PM

    5 stars
    I’ve made this recipe 3 times; tonight I made it gluten free, added some sliced zucchini and okra (to sneak in more vegetables), and it was absolutely scrumptious! The whole family gave it two thumbs up. I just shared the link with my daughter and son-in-law! It’s a keeper! Thank you for sharing this!!

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 3/16 at 7:51PM

      You’re welcome, Lesa! And thank you also for giving this a try and added your own twist. Glad you loved it and shared it!! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Shani Voss says

    Posted on 2/11 at 2:36PM

    5 stars
    I’ve made this a couple of times, following the recipe exactly, and it turns out absolutely delicious each time!! I love your recipes, I’m always satisfied.

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 2/13 at 10:51AM

      Hi Shani!
      Glad to hear this . Thanks so much for taking time out to share this with us.

      Reply
  12. tweetybird says

    Posted on 1/6 at 6:10PM

    5 stars
    My husband like it and it was a real surprise for me. I made it exactly but I added a little more creole seasoning and added fish to it . It was delicious and was perfect thank you for sharing your recipe. I definitely keep this and make it again

    Reply
  13. Inca19 says

    Posted on 1/2 at 1:30PM

    I would love to add crab to this along with the shrimp. How would you adjust the recipe to do so?

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 1/3 at 9:54AM

      Cut down on the amount of shrimp or double everything else , minus the shrimp.

      Reply
      • Travis Croft says

        Posted on 1/25 at 5:52PM

        5 stars
        This is insanely good! I made it a twice in the last couple weeks because my wife was craving it! Thank you for sharing!

  14. Chelle says

    Posted on 12/7 at 3:46PM

    This was SO good and will definitely be a recipe I keep in rotation. I love to eat etouffee in restaurants and never new it could be so easy to make and taste delicious!

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 12/8 at 3:29PM

      Yes it is ! Thanks so much.

      Reply
  15. Robyn says

    Posted on 7/4 at 4:53PM

    Off the hook good! New recipes never seem to be as good as the comments make them out to be. This one is the exception. So delicious. It definitely takes longer to make than stated but now I know and will give myself more time.
    THANK YOU!!!!!

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 7/6 at 6:16AM

      Awesome! Thanks for the feedback.

      Reply
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