Seafood lovers, if you like a little heat and intensity in your dish, these shrimp etouffee recipes are just the stuff to try. Bursting with Cajun spices, succulent shrimp, and a rich, savory sauce, these dishes will transport you straight to the heart of the Bayou. Whether you're a seasoned chef or just starting your culinary adventures, our collection of shrimp etouffé recipes is guaranteed to satisfy your cravings for a hearty, heartwarming main course.
Best Shrimp Etouffee Recipes
Enjoy this Southern shrimp delicacy with these delectable recipes.
1. Easy Shrimp Etouffee
Get ready to experience the warmth and hospitality of Louisiana, and to indulge in a dish that is as enticing as it is delicious with this shrimp etouffe. Plump, juicy shrimp and colorful veggies are bathed in a velvety, savory sauce that's been lovingly simmered to perfection. Each spoonful is a burst of Cajun goodness, with layers of smoky, spicy, and slightly tangy notes that will have you craving more.
Go to Recipe2. Chicken, Sausage, and Shrimp Étouffée
Unlike the previous recipe, this one serves up chicken, sausage, shrimp, and veggies all smothered in a rich and dark roux that feels almost gumbo-like. Serve it over fluffy white rice, pasta, or ravioli and you’ve got a filling, satisfying, and utterly flavorful meal that everyone will be talking about for days to come.
Go to Recipe3. Nightshade Free Shrimp Étouffée
Nightshade-free is a diet that doesn’t include plants such as tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, and peppers. This relatively restrictive diet is often taken by those who are unable to efficiently digest the aforementioned plants.
Even though shrimp étouffée is essentially a tomato stew, you can still safely enjoy it if you’re on a nightshade-free diet with this recipe. It’s entirely free of nightshade plants and instead obtains gorgeous, deep flavors from red wine vinegar, coconut aminos, and various other herbs and veggies. It’s served with cauliflower rice and tastes no less flavorful or exciting than the original version.
Go to Recipe4. Cajun Shrimp Étouffée
For those who prefer a bolder flavor profile, this Cajun-inspired recipe is a must-try. It incorporates smoky and robust spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, garlic powder, and thyme to create a dish that is full of depth and complexity. It's a taste of New Orleans cuisine that will transport you to the heart of the French Quarter, where the music is lively, the atmosphere is electric, and the food is nothing short of extraordinary.
Go to Recipe5. Crab and Shrimp Etouffee
Take your etouffee game to the next level by incorporating some crab into the hearty, savory, and subtly spicy mixture. This recipe creates a seafood lover's dream, with a symphony of flavors and textures that meld seamlessly with one another. Give it a try to discover yet another marvelous way to enjoy seafood and étouffée.
Go to RecipeWhat Does Shrimp Etouffee Taste Like?
Etouffee is a rich and thick stew that's popular all around Louisiana.
Like other Creole dishes, shrimp etouffee has a similar flavor profile thanks to Cajun seasoning and the Holy Trinity of aromatics: onion, celery, and green bell peppers. With shrimp as the protein, etouffee contains seafood's natural richness and sweetness.
It often draws comparison to a fellow Southern shrimp and rice dish, gumbo.
Differences Between Gumbo and Etouffee
These two dishes may look the same at first glance since they are both shrimp smothered in a flavorful sauce. However, there are some key differences.
Etouffee is thicker than gumbo. The consistency of etouffee is similar to gravy, while gumbo is thinner, resembling a soup or stew. They’re both made with a roux, but gumbo uses more liquid to maintain the thinner consistency.
On the topic of roux, the flavors of etouffee are lighter than gumbo thanks to the blond roux.
Lastly, gumbo features multiple proteins on one plate (chicken, crawfish, and sausage), while etouffee usually has one main ingredient. It’s usually shrimp, crawfish, and sometimes chicken.
Tips to Make Perfect Shrimp Etouffee
- How do you thicken etouffee?
Roux is the answer to this question. It is a mixture of equal parts flour and fat (oil, lard, or butter).
Different types of roux have different colors (white, blond, and brown) and vary in cooking time. The longer it cooks, the more flavorful it gets.
Shrimp etouffee uses a blond roux because that is the midway point. It still has the thickening ability and has already developed a nutty flavor.
- Tips for preparing the stock
Using ready-made chicken or vegetable stock seems like a no-brainer, but we recommend preparing your own.
When you prepare the shrimp, you will remove the heads and shells. They pack a ton of flavors so instead of throwing them away, keep them to make a flavorful seafood stock from scratch.
- Don’t overcook the shrimp
Shrimp don’t take long to cook perfectly and to know when they’re done, you can check their appearance during the cooking process. When the shrimp start curling into a C-shape and their color is turning pinkish, they’re almost done.
To be sure, you need to check the time and the internal temperature of the shrimp. They take about 4-6 minutes and their safe internal temperature is 145°F.
What Goes Well With Shrimp Etouffee
Rice makes a perfect match for shrimp etouffee, you can choose either white or brown rice. If you’re looking to mix things up, noodles or bread make good starch alternatives alongside this shrimp stew.
A fresh salad would also be perfect next to a hearty shrimp etouffee. Salads being highly customizable there are no particular rules on what salad you should make. A classic lettuce and tomato or asparagus salad are popular choices that would offer a light counterbalance to the hearty shrimp etouffee.
How to Store and Reheat Shrimp Etouffee
Storing shrimp etouffee is no different from other dishes. Transfer it to an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for three days.
You can extend its shelf life by storing it in the freezer. Shrimp etouffee will last for up to three months in airtight containers or freezer bags.
Reheat shrimp etouffee using a skillet over medium-low heat and make sure to stir it occasionally.
Explore New Orleans Cuisine With These Shrimp Etouffee Recipes
With these five shrimp etouffee recipes, we hope you can have a variety of options to explore and find the perfect one that suits your taste preferences and dietary needs. Whether you prefer the classic version or want to experiment with different flavors and ingredients, these recipes are great places to start.
Ingredients
- Easy Shrimp Etouffee
- Chicken, Sausage, and Shrimp Étouffée
- Nightshade Free Shrimp Étouffée
- Cajun Shrimp Étouffée
- Crab and Shrimp Etouffee
Directions
- Choose a recipe that you like.
- Gather the ingredients.
- Follow the instructions to serve up delicious, hearty, and flavorful shrimp etouffee dishes in less than an hour!
Luna Regina
Writer, Author