Name: Shrimp Etouffee
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lbs Shrimp, 20-22 pieces, cleaned; 1 Bell Pepper, green or red, diced; 1.5 Cup Mirepoix, 1 carrot, 1 stalk celery, and 1/2 medium onion - diced; 8 Oz Tomatoes, can of diced tomatoes; 1 tbsp Garlic; 1 Bay Leaf; 1.5 tbsp Cajon Seasoning, *see notes; 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper, I used up-to 1/2 tsp, adjust per taste; 4 tbsp Parsley, more for garnish; 1 Cup Shrimp, stock. or **see notes; 2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour; 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter

Shrimp Etouffee, it's Wednesday! Name may sound fancy but Shrimp Etouffee is comforting stew-style Shrimp and Gravy with spicy flavor of creole seasoning. Creole spice and shrimp define Etouffee.

For me, it is a comforting cajon-style meal with side of rice, lots of parsley and more spice. Life is better with spice.

This recipe for Shrimp Etouffee is also a one-stop meal. You can prepare it super-quick in Instant Pot or low-and-slow in classic old dutch oven. (I have shared both methods. Video coming soon.)

Mostly shrimp recipes are quick because shrimp cook in 6-7 minutes. But shrimp etouffee is different. It's real flavor comes from cooking of shrimp stock with veggies and cajon spices. Shrimp is added at the last. In regular heavy bottom pot, stew takes about 30-40 minutes to simmer slow and develop flavor. In Instant Pot, this step can be completed in 8-10 minutes.

I thought to share both methods... So that you have a recipe to make Shrimp Etouffee not matter if you are working with instant pot, or a dutch oven. Sounds good?

Let's not wait! And make some Shrimp Etouffeeee :)

Easy Shrimp Etouffee Recipe made with shrimp, creole seasoning and veggies

What is Shrimp Etouffee

Shrimp Etouffee is a French inspired cajon shrimp and vegetables stew. Traditionally served with side rice, and garnish of lots of parsley and cajon (creole) seasoning. Cajon spices are heart and soul Shrimp Etouffee. The creamy rich stew gets zing of flavor from cajon spices. Both compliment each other very well. Spices cut the richness of stew and stew mellows the spices.

Overall, you will not find it anyway close to French butter-y dishes but with big bold-flavors. Bold flavors are must!

When I think of Shrimp Etouffee.. one name comes in my mind is "Emeril Lagasee". Super chef Emeril is master of cajon cuisine. I love his recipes. Being a spice and chili lover myself, cajon cuisine has so much I love. When, I'm new to a dish or still trying.. I often consult Masters like Chef Lagasee.

This recipe is inspired from Chef's version of Shrimp Etouffee. After making it for my family a number of times.. I have my personal stamp on it. During this time, I also perfected this recipe in Instant Pot. Chef's version is classic with simmering in dutch oven... But when I'm time pressed or craving Shrimp Etouffee... I use Instant Pot to serve dinner under 30 minutes.

All-in-all, you can say Instant Pot version is my recipe for weekday-favorite Quick and Easy Shrimp Etouffee.

How does that sound?

Bowl of Shrimp Etouffee Shrimp stew served over rice

How to serve Shrimp Etouffee:

If you ask me, serve over rice. That's the best way to eat etouffee. Rice soak up the creamy-spicy stew. Every bite of shrimp with flavorful rice, cajon spices and parsley. OMG! It's addictive. Trust me.

I have a delicious recipe for Garlic Brown Rice. That tastes even better with Etouffee.

Let me summarize some quick hacks to make etouffee.

1. Quick Turnaround: Use Instant Pot and cut on simmer time from 30-40 minutes to 8-10 minutes.
2. No Shrimp Stock - No Problem : Buy tail on shrimp. Remove tails and add to simmering Shrimp Etouffee (tied in cloth) for instant flavor without shrimp stock.
3. Load-up Veggies: Classic Shrimp Etouffee has celery, bell pepper and onions. I like to load-up on veggies such as carrots, even spinach or kale for my daily serving of veggies.
4. Lighten-up: I like to use half of butter and half olive oil for my personal taste. You can also use coconut oil to go Dairy Free. And use corn starch for thickening to go Gluten Free.

No matter what do you decide, please don't skip these three ingredients: shrimp, cajon (creole) seasoning and tomatoes.

Honestly, ingredients for Shrimp Etouffee recipe are simple and very easy to find. You need some flour, butter, aromatic veggies, tomatoes, cajon seasoning, shrimp, and shrimp stock. I have already shared the substitute for stock when you don't have it handy.

What is difference between creole and cajon seasoning?

Creole is variation of cajon seasoning and it has oregano in it. For this recipe, if you have cajon seasoning, add dried oregano in it for creole flavor. Check out my recipe for Homemade Creole Seasoning or buy Mccormick Cajun Seasoning I often use. (affiliate link)

Sides to serve Etouffee with:

Instant Pot Garlic Brown Rice How to Cook Spaghetti Squash Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins