New Orleans-Style Crawfish Étouffée with Holy Trinity

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Rich and hearty crawfish étouffée simmered with the classic Cajun ‘Holy Trinity’ of onion, celery, and green bell pepper, served over fluffy white rice. This caribbean-inspired rice & grains ready in about 50 minutes pairs crawfish tails, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 30 min Serves 6 Caribbean cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 6 tbsp unsalted butter, then whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour to create a roux. Stir continuously for 6-8 minutes until the mixture is a deep golden brown and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 medium diced onion, 1 medium diced green bell pepper, 2 diced celery stalks, and 3 cloves minced garlic to the roux. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, then gradually whisk in 2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 lbs crawfish tails to the sauce and simmer gently for 5 minutes until heated through.
  5. Step 5: Serve the crawfish étouffée over 4 cups cooked white rice, garnished with 2 tbsp chopped green onions and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.

Frequently asked questions

How long does New Orleans-Style Crawfish Étouffée with Holy Trinity take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover New Orleans-Style Crawfish Étouffée with Holy Trinity?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep crawfish tails from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in New Orleans-Style Crawfish Étouffée with Holy Trinity?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale New Orleans-Style Crawfish Étouffée with Holy Trinity for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with New Orleans-Style Crawfish Étouffée with Holy Trinity?

Caribbean rice & grains like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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