South Louisiana Shrimp Creole

Introduction

South Louisiana Shrimp Creole is a vibrant and comforting dish that skillfully highlights the region’s love for bold flavors and fresh Gulf seafood. Simmered in a savory tomato sauce enriched with the Holy Trinity of Cajun cooking—onions, bell peppers, and celery—this hearty creole dish is both simple to prepare and deeply satisfying. Perfect for family dinners or festive gatherings, it’s sure to please anyone craving authentic southern flavor without the fuss.

Why South Louisiana Shrimp Creole Wins Every Time

What makes Shrimp Creole so irresistible is its perfect harmony of sweet Gulf shrimp, zesty tomatoes, and aromatic vegetables, all brightened with just the right touch of Cajun spice. Unlike more complex southern stews, this one-skillet wonder comes together quickly and delivers a depth of flavor that tastes like it’s been slowly simmered all day. Serve it over fluffy white rice for a complete comfort food experience your guests will love.

Building the Perfect Creole Sauce

The soul of Shrimp Creole lies in its sauce. From sautéing the vegetables until tender and fragrant, to simmering fresh tomatoes with herbs and peppers, each layer of flavor is carefully built to accentuate the sweet brininess of the shrimp. A splash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne lets you tailor the heat level to your preference—a winning dish for spicy food lovers and milder palates alike.

Finishing Touches: Cooking the Shrimp Just Right

Add the shrimp toward the end to ensure they turn pink and tender without becoming rubbery. Let them cook just until opaque before removing the pan from the heat. A sprinkle of fresh parsley and green onions at the end brightens the whole dish, adding an appealing pop of color and garden-fresh aroma.

Serving Suggestions for the Ultimate Creole Meal

South Louisiana Shrimp Creole is traditionally served over hot white rice, but brown rice or even buttered grits make delicious alternatives. Add a squeeze of lemon and a side of crusty French bread to soak up any extra sauce. Pair with a crisp green salad or roasted okra for a full southern feast.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 hearty servings. Each portion offers approximately 275 calories, emphasizing lean protein from the shrimp and wholesome vegetables. It’s a lighter classic southern dish, packed with nutrition and authentic flavor.

South Louisiana Shrimp Creole (Recap)

This classic is beloved for good reason: plump shrimp simmered in a zesty creole sauce is always a crowd-pleaser. It’s a weeknight winner and a show-stopping main course for gatherings, offering big comfort with minimal effort.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté until vegetables are soft, about 6–8 minutes.
2. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and stock. Add Creole seasoning, thyme, bay leaf, paprika, cayenne, Worcestershire, and generous pinches of salt and black pepper.
4. Bring to a simmer; cook uncovered for 15–20 minutes, letting flavors meld and sauce thicken. Stir occasionally, breaking up tomatoes with a spoon.
5. Add shrimp and cook for 3–4 minutes, just until pink and opaque. (Do not overcook; they will continue to cook in the hot sauce.)
6. Stir in hot sauce if using; adjust seasoning to taste. Remove from heat. Discard bay leaf.
7. Serve creole over hot cooked rice. Garnish with parsley, green onions, and a squeeze of lemon.

Weekly Meal Planning

This South Louisiana Shrimp Creole is ideal for weekly meal prep and menu planning—amazing flavors, quick to reheat, and easy to pair with other southern classics for a cohesive weeknight menu. Save and schedule this recipe to plan when to make it and to automatically compile all your shopping list needs, reducing time spent at the store and avoiding duplicate purchases.

Planning Benefits:

• Instantly calculates total ingredient amounts for the week
• Sorts all groceries by store sections
• Eliminates unneeded repeat purchases and forgotten items
• Adds structure and efficiency to your meal prep routine

Pro tip: When building a southern-inspired meal plan, schedule your recipes together to see where ingredients like onions and celery overlap. CookifyAI will automatically optimize your shopping list to help you buy just the right amount, minimizing food waste and making your weeknight cooking seamless.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes