This easy shrimp creole recipe is cooked in tomatoes and tomato sauce with a touch of cayenne, chili powder, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce.
Shrimp creole is the a simple, easy, and fast shrimp, tomato, and rice recipe.
What is Shrimp Creole?
Shrimp creole is shrimp simmered in a pot with tomatoes, tomato sauce, onions, celery, green peppers and various spices. Shrimp creole is traditionally served over rice.
Creole shrimp and rice originated in Louisiana and combines the cooking cultures of France, Africa, and Native America (and other European cultures).
Cooking onions, celery, and peppers together is called the "holy trinity" in Louisiana cooking.
In some ways, shrimp creole is the South's version of spaghetti and meatballs. This shrimp and tomato sauce over rice = comfort food deliciousness.
Shrimp Creole with Rice Tips
This easy shrimp creole recipe is mildly spicy. Adjust or omit the hot sauce and cayenne if sensitive to spicy foods.
Traditionally, shrimp creole is served with rice and garnished with sliced green onions.
Having said that, the garnish above is local shishito peppers, celery leaves, and chives. Get creative with the garnish for this easy shrimp creole recipe!
Leftover shrimp creole freezes well for ~ 4 months in an airtight container.
Peeling and Deveining Shrimp For Shrimp Creole
Don't like peeling and deveining shrimp? Buy them already done. Most grocery stores sell pre-cooked shrimp which also work for this shrimp and rice recipe.
Whole foods will peel and devein shrimp at no additional cost most of the time if you call ahead.
Keep raw shrimp on ice while you peel and devein them. This step is not necessary if working with a small amount of shrimp or if you're fast with your "peel and devein shrimp game".
Defrosted and previously frozen shrimp will also work for this shrimp creole recipe.
Where is the Lowcountry?
The Low Country (AKA Lowcountry) refers to (geographically) a low lying region off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean in portions of Georgia and South Carolina that includes sea islands and the coast line.
TIP: Keep the shells and combine with water, salt, and your favorite herb or spices to make a killer homemade seafood stock / broth.
Serving Suggestion
Even though shrimp season lasts (basically) from May through December in the Lowcountry, this dish reminds me of summer, and I like to serve shrimp creole with an appetizer or a salad, or a nice veggie side dish.
You May Also Like
If you like this shrimp recipe, why not try another one? These additional shrimp recipes get bigger / heavier from left to right:
Things In My Kitchen:
- Shrimp peeler & deveiner – this makes faster work of peeling & deveining. It’s not fancy but this plastic one works better than any out there made of steel.
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Easy Shrimp Creole And Rice
EatSimpleFood.com
This easy lowcountry shrimp creole recipe is simmered in tomatoes and tomato sauce with a touch of cayenne, chili powder, hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Shrimp creole is served with rice.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Creole
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 ½ Tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ lbs shrimp, peeled & deveined
- 1 cup onions, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 Tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- pinch cayenne
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 (15) oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8) oz can tomato sauce
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp hot sauce
- 1 ¼ cup uncooked rice
- ½ cup green onions, sliced as garnish
Instructions
- Prepare rice according to package instructions.
- Bring a medium pot to medium high heat and melt butter and olive oil.
- Add onions, green peppers, and celery. Reduce heat, cover, and cook ~ 5-7 minutes or until veggies are soft and translucent.
- Add garlic and cook 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.
- Stir in chili powder and cayenne pepper.
- Add bay leaf, tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, and hot sauce.
- Stir, bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook covered ~ 30 minutes. Add water in ½ cup increments if the sauce begins to dry out.
- Add shrimp and cook for another 4-6 minutes or until shrimp are cooked through.
- Spoon shrimp and sauce over rice and top with the green onion garnish. Happy Eating! Beckie
Notes
- Keep the shells and combine with water, salt, and your favorite herb or spices to make a killer homemade seafood stock / broth.
- Raw frozen shrimp that have been defrosted will also work for this easy shrimp creole recipe.
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