Spicy Shrimp Etouffee(Ay-Too-Fay)
Spicy Shrimp Etouffee offers a rich blend of flavors with succulent shrimp, sautéed vegetables, and a hint of heat from red and black pepper. Served over fluffy rice, it’s perfect for those craving a hearty, Louisiana-inspired dish with bold, comforting tastes that impress family and friends alike.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped green pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seed ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 pound cooked shrimp, peeled ⓘ
- 3 cups cooked rice ⓘ
Instructions
- Saute chopped onion and green pepper in butter; add garlic powder and celery seed.
- In a bowl, combine cornstarch, ground red pepper, black pepper, 1/4 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Stir the cornstarch mixture into the cooked vegetables and add tomato sauce.
- Stir in cooked shrimp.
- Bring to a boil; then reduce heat and simmer briefly, just until heated through.
- Serve over hot, cooked rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the shrimp etouffee. If you want a thicker sauce, you can increase the cornstarch slightly or let it simmer longer. For a twist, substitute the shrimp with crawfish or even chicken for a different protein option.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the spicy shrimp etouffee over hot, cooked rice, which absorbs the delicious sauce. For a complete meal, pair it with a side of crusty French bread or a light salad. This dish also pairs beautifully with Crab Imperial for a seafood-themed dinner.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, let the etouffee cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out, and heat on the stove over medium-low until warmed through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spicy Shrimp Etouffee(Ay-Too-Fay) contains roughly 779 calories, with 12g protein, 65g carbohydrates, and 60g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (244% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (80% of the Daily Value), and iron (49% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 23g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
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 fresh shrimp instead of cooked shrimp?
Yes, you can use fresh shrimp. Just be sure to peel and devein them, then cook them in the sauté step until they turn pink before adding the tomato sauce.
What can I use instead of cornstarch for thickening?
If you don't have cornstarch, you can use all-purpose flour as an alternative. Mix it with a little water to create a slurry before adding it to the dish.
How spicy is this etouffee, and can I adjust the heat level?
The heat level is moderate, but you can adjust it to your preference. For less spice, reduce the ground red pepper, or for more heat, add additional cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
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).