Louisiana Shrimp Creole

4.6
(401)

In this delicious shrimp Creole recipe, tomatoes and shrimp are cooked up with garlic and onions. This Gulf Coast tradition will have you dreaming of the bayou. This recipe can either be a main dish or a side dish. You can adjust the heat by adding more hot sauce. Serve over rice.

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Prep Time:
15 mins
Cook Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
5

This top-rated shrimp Creole recipe is packed with bold Louisiana flavor. 

What Is Shrimp Creole? 

Shrimp Creole is a dish with Louisiana origins that features shrimp cooked in a tomato sauce that starts with the Cajun Holy Trinity (a mixture of diced onions, celery, and bell peppers cooked in butter). It’s traditionally served over rice.  

Shrimp Creole Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this shrimp Creole recipe:

  • Butter: Cook the chopped vegetables cooked in three tablespoons of butter. 
  • Fresh vegetables: This recipe starts with the Cajun Holy Trinity (diced onions, celery, and bell peppers) cooked in butter. 
  • Seasonings: The shrimp Creole is flavored with fresh garlic, Cajun seasoning, chile powder, and fresh thyme (for garnish). 
  • Cornstarch: Thicken the sauce with two tablespoons of cornstarch. 
  • Canned tomatoes: You’ll need one can of stewed tomatoes and one can of tomato sauce. 
  • Sauces: From the sauce aisle, you’ll need Worcestershire sauce and hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco). 
  • Shrimp: A pound of (peeled and deveined) medium shrimp will make about five servings of shrimp Creole. 
  • Lemon juice: Add brightness with an (optional) tablespoon of lemon juice. 
Louisiana shrimp Creole served over white rice in a beige bowl

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How to Make Shrimp Creole

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this shrimp Creole: 

  1. Cook the vegetables in butter. 
  2. Stir in the cornstarch, canned tomatoes, water, spices, and water. 
  3. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
  4. Stir in the remaining ingredients and cook until the shrimp is bright pink and opaque.

What to Serve With Shrimp Creole

Serve this shrimp Creole over rice for a filling dinner. Explore our collection of Best Cajun Side Dishes for delicious serving inspiration. Here are a few of the ideas you’ll find: 

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

“I made this dish for my husband and he loved it,” says Victoria Rueda-Sievers. “I didn’t have cornstarch so I sprinkled flour and mixed it with the veggies.”

“Awesome recipe, tasted great the first time I made it,” raves Naomi Foote. “Really easy too. Might even taste good with some cooked andouille sausage mixed in at the end.”

“Loved this recipe,” according to Jcwalke1. “I added green onion and bay leaves. I will definitely be making this again.”

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 5 servings

  • 3 tablespoons butter

  • ½ cup finely diced onion

  • ½ cup chopped green bell pepper

  • ½ cup chopped celery

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes

  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

  • hot pepper sauce, such as Tabasco, to taste

  • 1 pound medium shrimp - peeled and deveined

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (Optional)

  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme (Optional)

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Overhead shot of measured ingredients gathered for shrimp Creole

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat; stir in onion, green pepper, celery, and garlic. Cook and stir until onion has softened and bell pepper is tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.

    Overhead angle looking down at diced onion and green pepper cooking in a pot

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Mix in cornstarch. Stir in stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, Cajun seasoning, and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.

    Overhead view of a pot with tomato, onion, and green pepper sauce cooking

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Stir in shrimp, lemon juice, and fresh thyme; cook until shrimp are bright pink on the outside and the meat is opaque, about 5 minutes.

    Overhead shot of a pot with shrimp and tomato sauce being stirred to make shrimp Creole

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

close up on a plate of Louisiana shrimp creole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Test Kitchen Tips

This recipe was tested in our test kitchen in August 2023 and we updated it to include 1 cup water and 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning.

622 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

253 Calories
9g Fat
21g Carbs
24g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 5
Calories 253
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 210mg 70%
Sodium 2054mg 89%
Total Carbohydrate 21g 8%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 24g 47%
Vitamin C 36mg 40%
Calcium 149mg 11%
Iron 3mg 16%
Potassium 787mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.