Welcome to this classic New Orleans Shrimp Creole recipe! This vibrant, flavorful dish combines succulent shrimp with a rich tomato-based sauce and the iconic “holy trinity” of Creole cooking. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner that tastes like it came straight from Louisiana.
This one-pan meal features perfectly cooked shrimp in a sauce built on layers of flavor, from aromatic vegetables to warming spices. The result is a restaurant-quality dish that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon jalapeño, minced and deseeded
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1½ cups shrimp stock (or chicken stock)
- 15 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 1½ lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 green onions, sliced (plus more for garnish)
- White rice for serving
Steps to Follow
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook until vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.
- Step 2: Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds.
- Step 3: Add jalapeño, paprika, thyme, oregano, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute.
- Step 4: Pour in shrimp stock, crushed tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and add bay leaves. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Step 5: Add shrimp to the sauce and cook for 3-4 minutes until pink.
- Step 6: Serve over hot white rice and garnish with green onions.
Additional Instructions
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Serves: 6 people
- Storage: Keeps in refrigerator for 3-4 days
- Make ahead: Sauce can be made ahead; add shrimp when reheating
- Spice adjustment: Reduce or omit jalapeño and cayenne for milder taste
- Variations: Can substitute chicken or sausage for shrimp
- Freezing: Sauce freezes well; add fresh shrimp when reheating
General Nutritional Values
- Calories: 78 kcal per serving
- Protein: 4.1g
- Carbohydrates: 14.8g
- Fat: 1.5g
- Fiber: 4.4g
- Sodium: 494mg
