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.
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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:
- Cook the vegetables in butter.
- Stir in the cornstarch, canned tomatoes, water, spices, and water.
- Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
- 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
Ingredients
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3 tablespoons butter
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½ cup finely diced onion
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½ cup chopped green bell pepper
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½ cup chopped celery
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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2 tablespoons cornstarch
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1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
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1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
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1 cup water
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1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
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2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
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1 teaspoon chili powder
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hot pepper sauce, such as Tabasco, to taste
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1 pound medium shrimp - peeled and deveined
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1 tablespoon lemon juice (Optional)
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2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme (Optional)
Directions
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Gather all ingredients.
![Overhead shot of measured ingredients gathered for shrimp Creole]()
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
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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
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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
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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
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.
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.
