Spicy Shrimp Étouffée with Steamed White Rice
A rich and spicy shrimp étouffée simmered in a dark roux and served over fluffy steamed white rice, capturing the essence of Louisiana Creole cooking. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs shrimp, 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 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb raw, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 medium, finely diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, finely diced green bell pepper
- 2 stalks, finely diced celery stalks
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 stalks, sliced green onions
- 4 cups cooked white rice
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter. Whisk in 4 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 8-10 minutes until the roux turns a deep caramel brown and smells nutty.
- Step 2: Add 1 diced medium yellow onion, 1 diced medium green bell pepper, 2 diced celery stalks, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the roux. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp paprika, and 1 tsp dried thyme, cooking for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups chicken broth and 2 tbsp tomato paste, whisking until smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 5: Add 1 lb raw peeled and deveined shrimp to the pot and cook for 5 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through.
- Step 6: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve the shrimp étouffée hot over 4 cups cooked white rice, garnished with 2 sliced green onions.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Shrimp Étouffée with Steamed White Rice take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 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 Spicy Shrimp Étouffée with Steamed White Rice?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Shrimp Étouffée with Steamed White 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 Spicy Shrimp Étouffée with Steamed White 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 Spicy Shrimp Étouffée with Steamed White Rice?
American 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.
