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What Is Shrimp Creole?

N. Swensson
N. Swensson

Shrimp creole is a seafood dish with a tomato-based sauce that is usually served over rice. Creole is an American cuisine that originated in southern Louisiana, although its influences include French, Spanish, and Native American. Making shrimp creole usually begins by creating a roux, a mixture of butter or vegetable oil and flour, and then adding vegetables like celery, onions, and hot or sweet peppers. Tomatoes, stock or water, and other seasonings are added when the vegetables have softened, and then shrimp and herbs are incorporated at the end of cooking time.

This typically Southern dish is an example of how settlers in southern Louisiana used locally available ingredients combined with the cooking styles of their home countries to create a new cuisine. Beginning a dish with a roux of flour and butter is a traditionally French cooking technique used to make this creole dish. A roux is made by heating butter in a skillet until melted and then adding flour and cooking them together to form a thick paste. The roux should be allowed to brown but not burn. After the roux has cooked for long enough, vegetables can be added.

Shrimp that is frozen raw must be properly thawed before it's cooked.
Shrimp that is frozen raw must be properly thawed before it's cooked.

The vegetables most often found in shrimp creole include garlic, onions, and green pepper, all of which are staples in creole cooking. Other versions could include okra, green onions, and herbs such as cilantro or parsley. The most traditional versions of this recipe can easily be altered with any ingredients that the chef has on hand and enjoys eating. After the vegetables are added to the roux, they should usually be sautéed until they are softened and slightly browned to develop color and flavor. After they have cooked to this point, the remaining ingredients can be added to form the sauce.

Canned tomatoes may be used to make the sauce for shrimp creole.
Canned tomatoes may be used to make the sauce for shrimp creole.

The tomato-based sauce for shrimp creole can be made from fresh or canned tomatoes, canned tomato sauce, or a combination of these. Either broth or water is also usually added, along with a variety of seasonings. Bay leaf and cayenne pepper or hot sauce are traditional flavor ingredients, but some versions of the recipe also include Worcestershire sauce, sugar, or commercially prepared creole seasoning blends. If using a seasoning blend that contains salt, adjust the amount of other salt in the recipe accordingly. The sauce should be simmered for approximately 30 minutes or more before adding the final ingredients.

Creole is an American cuisine that originated in southern Louisiana.
Creole is an American cuisine that originated in southern Louisiana.

When the creole sauce has reached the desired consistency, the shrimp can be added. It’s important to wait until near the end of cooking time to add the shrimp, because it cooks very quickly and becomes rubbery and chewy if overcooked. The shrimp can be allowed to simmer on top of the sauce until they just turn pink. Then stir in fresh herbs just before serving to maximize their flavor and serve the dish over white rice.

Discussion Comments

Raynbow

I have a few tips for making tasty shrimp creole. When I make a creole shrimp recipe that calls for sugar, I like to use brown sugar instead of white sugar, I think it gives the recipe a richer, hardier flavor and nice deep color.

I also like to add a just a little heat to the recipe to compliment the sweet flavor. To do this, I sometimes use hot red pepper flakes or a jalapeno pepper. Either of these ingredients will provide just the right amount of warmth for people who like heat without overpowering this shrimp dish.

Finally, I like to experiment with vegetables that aren't typically added to a shrimp creole recipe. Spinach and kale provide nice flavor and color to this dish. So do celery and scallions. I also like to add corn, peas, and even some types of beans for a unique twist to the classic creole recipe.

Talentryto

For an easy, flavorful twist to this recipe, you can substitute canned tomatoes and tomato sauce for vegetable or tomato juice. The juice makes the dish have extra broth, which goes nicely with the shrimp and vegetables.

I like to use vegetable juice because it has more flavor than tomato juice. You can add fresh, chopped tomatoes to the other vegetables in this shrimp recipe for added tangy flavor.

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    • Shrimp that is frozen raw must be properly thawed before it's cooked.
      By: ilolab
      Shrimp that is frozen raw must be properly thawed before it's cooked.
    • Canned tomatoes may be used to make the sauce for shrimp creole.
      By: unclepodger
      Canned tomatoes may be used to make the sauce for shrimp creole.
    • Creole is an American cuisine that originated in southern Louisiana.
      By: metrue
      Creole is an American cuisine that originated in southern Louisiana.
    • Some cooks make shrimp creole using bell peppers and other fresh vegetables.
      By: Boggy
      Some cooks make shrimp creole using bell peppers and other fresh vegetables.