Spicy Southern Shrimp Etouffee Recipe: A Cajun Comfort Classic

Creamy, rich, and bursting with Cajun flavors, this shrimp etouffee recipe captures the heart of Louisiana’s culinary magic.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic dish that sings with bold, spicy notes.

The tender shrimp swim in a velvety sauce that clings to every grain of rice.

Each spoonful transports you straight to the vibrant streets of New Orleans.

Layers of seasoning build a complex flavor profile that makes this etouffee truly unforgettable.

Fresh Gulf shrimp meld beautifully with the holy trinity of onions, celery, and bell peppers.

You’ll want to savor every bite of this authentic Southern comfort classic that promises to delight your taste buds and warm your soul.

Cajun Comfort: Best Storage Advice

• Store extra Cajun shrimp dish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor retention.
• Transfer cooled sauce and shrimp to freezer-safe containers, keeping them separate from rice. Freeze for up to 2 months, preventing texture degradation.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed dish slowly in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of stock to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
• Reheat only the portion you plan to eat, as multiple warming cycles can negatively impact taste and texture of the delicate shrimp.

FAQs

• What makes Cajun cuisine unique?

Cajun cuisine blends French, African, and Native American culinary traditions, focusing on bold flavors, local ingredients, and one-pot cooking techniques that transform simple ingredients into rich, hearty meals.

• How spicy is traditional Cajun food?

Authentic Cajun dishes balance heat with complex flavor layers, using cayenne, paprika, and other spices to create warmth without overwhelming the palate. The goal is depth, not just burning sensation.

• Why do Cajun recipes use a roux?

Roux is a fundamental thickening agent that adds deep, nutty flavor and rich color to sauces. In Cajun cooking, the darker the roux, the more complex and robust the dish’s overall taste profile becomes.

Why Classic Cajun Comfort Is a Cozy Favorite

• Flavor-Packed Adventure: Dive into a rich Cajun experience that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering masterpiece with deep, complex flavors.
• Skill-Building Cooking: Perfect for home cooks wanting to expand their culinary techniques through traditional roux-making and stock preparation methods.
• Customizable Comfort: Easily adapt the recipe by adjusting spice levels, swapping proteins, or modifying vegetables to suit personal taste preferences.
• Weekend Cooking Project: An engaging recipe that offers a delightful cooking journey, allowing you to explore traditional Cajun cooking techniques while creating a memorable meal.

Classic Cajun Comfort Ingredient Checklist

• Shrimp: Fresh seafood that forms the protein base of this classic Cajun dish.
• Rice: Traditional accompaniment that serves as the foundation for serving the shrimp.

• Shrimp Shells: Essential for creating a rich, flavorful stock that deepens the sauce's complexity.

• Water: Primary liquid for creating the foundational shrimp stock.
• Sherry: Optional ingredient that adds depth and subtle sweetness to the sauce.

• Onion, Celery, Bell Pepper: Classic Cajun trinity that provides the fundamental flavor profile of the dish.
• Garlic, Scallions: Aromatic ingredients that enhance the overall taste and complexity.

• Butter, Flour: Key ingredients for creating a traditional roux that thickens and enriches the sauce.
• Tomato Paste: Adds rich color and concentrated tomato flavor to the sauce.

• Salt, Baking Soda: Helps tenderize and season the shrimp.
• Herbs: Provide additional layers of flavor to the stock and sauce.

• Oil: Used for cooking shells and sautéing vegetables.

Classic Cajun Comfort – Easy Cooking Guide

Step 1: Prepare Shrimp Base

Grab your fresh shrimp and carefully peel them, setting aside the shells for an amazing flavor boost.

Gently massage the shrimp with a sprinkle of salt and a touch of baking soda, then tuck them into the refrigerator to chill.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Shell Broth

Heat a splash of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot and toss in the reserved shrimp shells.

Let them sizzle and dance until they turn a beautiful golden brown, releasing their rich seafood essence.

Step 3: Build Vegetable Foundation

Tumble your chopped vegetables into the pot with the toasted shells.

Let them soften and mingle, creating a delicious aromatic base that will make your kitchen smell incredible.

Step 4: Deepen Flavor Profile

Stir in a generous dollop of tomato paste, letting it caramelize slightly.

If you’re feeling adventurous, splash in some sherry to add depth and complexity to the developing sauce.

Step 5: Craft Liquid Gold Stock

Pour in cool water and sprinkle in a handful of fragrant herbs.

Allow the mixture to simmer gently, transforming into a liquid treasure that will become the heart of your dish.

After 45 minutes, strain carefully to remove the shells and herb bits.

Step 6: Create Perfect Roux

In a separate pan, melt butter until it’s silky smooth.

Gradually whisk in flour, stirring constantly until the mixture turns the color of rich caramel – this is the secret to authentic Cajun flavor.

Step 7: Sauté Trinity

• Onions
• Celery
• Bell peppers

Let them dance in the pan until they become soft and translucent.

Step 8: Boost Aromatic Layers

Sprinkle in minced garlic and chopped scallions, letting them release their fragrant oils for just a minute.

Step 9: Combine Liquid Magic

Slowly pour the prepared stock into the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth, harmonious sauce.

Step 10: Develop Sauce Complexity

Cover the pot and let the sauce simmer, allowing the flavors to marry and deepen for a full 30 minutes.

Step 11: Cook Shrimp Perfectly

Gently slide the reserved shrimp into the bubbling sauce.

Cook just until they turn a delicate pink, ensuring they remain tender and succulent.

Step 12: Final Flourish

Taste and adjust the sauce’s thickness and seasoning.

Serve this luxurious Cajun creation over a fluffy bed of rice, inviting everyone to dive into a true Southern comfort experience.

Cajun Comfort – Tips for Extra Flavor

• Save shrimp shells to create a rich, deep stock that intensifies the overall dish's taste profile.
• Use baking soda and salt to tenderize shrimp, ensuring they remain juicy and succulent during cooking.
• Cook roux slowly and consistently, watching color carefully to prevent burning and achieve that authentic Cajun depth.
• Simmer sauce gently to meld flavors without breaking down ingredients, maintaining a perfect texture and taste balance.
• Strain homemade stock thoroughly to create a clear, clean base that elevates the entire dish's sophistication.

Creative Variations for Classic Cajun Comfort

• Seafood Swap: Replace shrimp with crawfish or crab for a different seafood experience.
• Vegetarian Delight: Substitute shrimp with firm tofu or mushrooms, using vegetable stock for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use cornstarch instead of flour for roux and ensure all ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Low-Sodium Adaptation: Reduce salt, use low-sodium stock, and enhance flavor with fresh herbs and spices like thyme and oregano.

Cajun Comfort: How to Serve with Style

• Seafood Spectacle: Serve this classic Cajun dish over fluffy white rice to soak up the rich, spicy sauce.
• Garnish Galore: Sprinkle fresh chopped scallions, parsley, or chives on top for a burst of color and fresh flavor.
• Heat Wave Hack: Offer hot sauce on the side for diners who love an extra kick of spicy excitement.
• Bread Buddy: Pair with crusty French bread or cornbread to mop up every last delicious drop of the sauce.

Shrimp Etouffee Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Louisiana comfort comes alive with shrimp etouffee, a soulful Creole classic brimming with spicy, rich flavors. Succulent shrimp nestled in a velvety roux-based sauce promise a taste of New Orleans that will transport diners straight to the bayou.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) shell-on shrimp or 3 pounds (1361 grams) head-on shrimp
• 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt

Herbs and Spices:

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 1/8 teaspoon hot paprika (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 bay leaves
• Parsley sprigs
• 4 thyme sprigs
• Salt and pepper

Vegetables and Cooking Base:

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 large green bell pepper (8 ounces)
• 2 large celery ribs, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 3 scallions, sliced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 cup dry sherry or brandy (optional)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups shrimp stock
• Rice for serving

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Instructions

1. Prepare the aromatic foundation by extracting flavor from shrimp shells, seasoning shrimp with salt and baking soda, then chilling in refrigerator.
2. Sauté shrimp shells in hot oil until deep golden brown, approximately 4 minutes, releasing rich seafood essence.
3. Incorporate chopped vegetables into shell mixture, gently cooking until they become tender and translucent.
4. Introduce tomato paste, creating a concentrated base, and deglaze with optional sherry to enhance depth.
5. Create robust stock by combining shells with water and aromatic herbs, simmering for 45 minutes, then carefully straining to extract pure liquid.
6. Craft a traditional roux by slowly melting butter and gradually incorporating flour, stirring continuously until achieving desired caramel-like color.
7. Sauté classic Cajun trinity (onion, celery, bell pepper) for 4 minutes, developing foundational flavor profile.
8. Quickly incorporate minced garlic and fresh scallions, cooking briefly to release their vibrant aromatics.
9. Methodically blend prepared seasonings with strained stock, whisking thoroughly to ensure smooth integration.
10. Allow sauce to simmer covered for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and develop complexity.
11. Gently introduce marinated shrimp, cooking just until they transform to delicate pink hue.
12. Fine-tune sauce consistency, adjust seasoning, and serve elegantly over fluffy rice.

Notes

• Elevate shrimp flavor by marinating with salt and baking soda, which tenderizes and enhances texture for a more succulent bite.
• Maximize depth by thoroughly browning shrimp shells, extracting maximum umami and creating a rich, complex stock foundation.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting Cajun seasoning, allowing personalization for mild or spicy preference without compromising authentic flavor profile.
• Transform into gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with cornstarch or alternative gluten-free thickening agents during roux preparation.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Cajun

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 200 mg