Spiced Crawfish Étouffée with Jasmine Rice

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

A comforting Louisiana-inspired stew featuring crawfish tails simmered in a rich roux-based sauce served over fragrant jasmine rice. This southern us-inspired seafood ready in about 45 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 480 calories and feeds 4, 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: 10 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Southern US cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 1/2 cups uncooked jasmine rice under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine the rice with 3 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour to create a roux. Stir continuously for 5-6 minutes until the roux turns a light brown color and smells nutty.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 cup diced onion, 1/2 cup diced celery, 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper, and 3 cloves minced garlic to the roux. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are soft and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 cups chicken broth, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 bay leaf. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to thicken.
  5. Step 5: Add 12 oz crawfish tails to the sauce and simmer for an additional 5 minutes until heated through. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  6. Step 6: Remove the bay leaf and serve the crawfish étouffée over the cooked jasmine rice, garnished with 3 tbsp chopped green onions.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Crawfish Étouffée with Jasmine Rice take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 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 Spiced Crawfish Étouffée with Jasmine Rice?

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 Spiced Crawfish Étouffée with Jasmine Rice?

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 Spiced Crawfish Étouffée with Jasmine Rice for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Spiced Crawfish Étouffée with Jasmine Rice?

Southern US seafood 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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