Crawfish Or Shrimp Etouffee
Rich and flavorful crawfish or shrimp etouffee features a hearty blend of vegetables and spices, perfect for comforting Southern-style meals suited for seafood lovers and family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter or oleo ⓘ
- 1 cup small chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/3 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 1/3 cup chopped green pepper ⓘ
- dash of red pepper ⓘ
- dash of black pepper ⓘ
- Tabasco sauce to taste ⓘ
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon sugar ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped green onion ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic ⓘ
- 1 small can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley ⓘ
- 2 1/2 quarts water ⓘ
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large heavy pot (iron preferred).
- Saute chopped onions, minced garlic, chopped green pepper, and chopped celery until onions are clear.
- Stir in all remaining ingredients except crawfish or shrimp.
- Simmer the mixture for 30 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally.
- Add crawfish tails or shrimp; simmer for an additional 25 minutes over medium heat.
- Serve the etouffee over cooked rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider substituting half of the butter with olive oil. If you're short on time, pre-chopped vegetables can be used. Adjust the heat by increasing or decreasing the amount of red pepper and Tabasco sauce. For a twist, add a splash of lemon juice for brightness. This dish pairs beautifully with American recipes like Quick Salmon Rice Casserole.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the etouffee over fluffy white rice or alongside crusty French bread to soak up the delicious sauce. A fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette complements this dish nicely. For a more decadent meal, consider pairing it with Broiled Crab Legs for an impressive seafood feast.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the etouffee in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, or use the microwave in short intervals, stirring in between to ensure even heating. Add a splash of water if needed to maintain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Crawfish Or Shrimp Etouffee contains roughly 444 calories, with 9g protein, 52g carbohydrates, and 28g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (67% of the Daily Value), iron (43% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (33% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2233mg per serving (97% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen crawfish or shrimp for this recipe?
Absolutely! Frozen crawfish or shrimp work well in this etouffee. Just make sure to thaw them before adding to the dish, and reduce the cooking time slightly to avoid overcooking.
What can I substitute for cream of mushroom soup?
If you prefer a lighter option or don't have cream of mushroom soup, you can use a homemade roux with chicken or vegetable broth and add sautéed mushrooms for flavor. This will give a similar creamy texture without the canned soup.
Is this dish spicy?
The spiciness of the etouffee can be adjusted based on your preference. Start with a small amount of red pepper and Tabasco sauce, then taste and add more if desired. It can be made mild or spicy according to your taste.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).