Name: Easy Shrimp Creole Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Creole
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 1/2 cup onion, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes; 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce; 1 cup chicken broth; 1 Tablespoon chili powder; 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1 Tablespoon cornstarch; 1 Tablespoon water

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 55 reviews

If you’re on the hunt for a flavorful, comforting, and straightforward dish to whip up on a busy weeknight, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Easy Shrimp Creole Recipe is one of my all-time favorites — it’s packed with bold flavors, simple ingredients, and cooks up in just about 20 minutes. When I first tried this, I was amazed at how such a humble mix of veggies and spices turned into a saucy, finger-licking Creole classic that my whole family now raves about. Stick with me here, and you’ll have this delicious dish on your table in no time!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: You’ll be amazed at how fast this dish comes together, perfect for busy nights.
Vibrant Flavors: The mix of bell pepper, celery, and traditional Creole spices creates a rich, mouthwatering sauce.
Family-Friendly: My family goes crazy for this sauce over rice – it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Versatile: You can easily customize it with different proteins or spice levels to suit your taste.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are pretty standard in most kitchens, but they come together beautifully to create that classic Creole flavor we all love. You don’t need any fancy sauces — just fresh veggies, pantry staples, and fresh shrimp. Quick tip: using peeled and deveined shrimp saves you so much time without sacrificing flavor.

Olive oil: Use a good quality one for a nice, subtle fruitiness as your cooking base.
Green bell pepper: Adds fresh sweetness and color; diced small for even cooking.
Onion: Yellow or white works — brings natural sweetness and depth.
Celery stalks: Adds a classic Creole crunch and earthy note.
Garlic cloves: Minced, because fresh garlic just can’t be beat in this sauce.
Stewed tomatoes: These bring a rich, chunky base with a touch of sweetness.
Tomato sauce: Smoothes out the texture and deepens the tomato flavor.
Chicken broth: Adds savory richness without overwhelming the shrimp.
Chili powder: Gives subtle heat and smokiness — adjust to your spice preference.
Worcestershire sauce: This little secret ingredient amps up the umami.
Large shrimp: Peeled and deveined for easy eating and quick cooking.
Cornstarch: Mixed with water to give the sauce a lovely thickness without weighing it down.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Easy Shrimp Creole Recipe is how flexible it is. Depending on what you have on hand or your dietary preferences, you can easily tweak it — and still end up with a satisfying, delicious meal. Feel free to get creative and make it your own.

Use sausage instead of shrimp: I’ve swapped in Andouille sausage for a smoky kick that my family adored.
Add extra heat: Toss in cayenne pepper or hot sauce if you like it spicy — just a little goes a long way.
Make it vegetarian: Replace shrimp with hearty mushrooms or firm tofu and use vegetable broth instead.
Swap the bell pepper: Red or yellow bell peppers give a sweeter flavor variation that’s lovely too.

How to Make Easy Shrimp Creole Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Your Base Veggies Until Tender

Start by heating the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, toss in the diced green bell pepper, onion, and celery. You want to cook these until they soften up nicely — usually about 5 minutes. I love it when these veggies get just a little caramelized because it deepens the flavor of the whole dish. Don’t add the garlic just yet, as it burns easily. Wait until your veggies are tender, then add the minced garlic and sauté for just about a minute until fragrant.

Step 2: Build Your Sauce and Add Shrimp

Now, pour in your canned stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Next, sprinkle in the chili powder and add the Worcestershire sauce for depth. Give everything a good stir to combine. Nestle the peeled and deveined shrimp into the sauce, then cover the skillet. Let it simmer gently for about 5 to 7 minutes — you’re looking for the shrimp to turn pink and curl up. Overcooking makes shrimp rubbery, so keep an eye on this step.

Step 3: Thicken the Sauce to Perfection

Mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry, then stir it into your simmering sauce. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly — this step really helps the flavors cling to your shrimp and rice. If the sauce gets too thick, just add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed!

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Shrimp Creole Recipe

Prep Shrimp Last: I always peel and devein shrimp right before cooking to keep them fresh and firm.
Don’t Skip the Simmer: Letting the sauce simmer lets the flavors marry beautifully — patience makes all the difference!
Use Stewed Tomatoes: They add texture and sweetness that regular diced tomatoes just can’t match in this recipe.
Watch Your Heat: Cooking shrimp just until pink keeps them tender and juicy — overcooked shrimp dry out fast.

How to Serve Easy Shrimp Creole Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping this shrimp creole with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color and mild freshness. Sometimes I add a squeeze of lemon juice right before serving, which really brightens the whole dish. A dash of hot sauce on the side is always a welcome option if you like a little extra kick!

Side Dishes

You really can’t go wrong with simple white or brown rice as your bed for this saucy dish — I find the rice soaks up all that Creole goodness perfectly. If you’re feeling fancy, try buttery cornbread or a side of garlic green beans for a well-rounded meal. For a lighter option, I often serve this with a crisp green salad alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve this Easy Shrimp Creole Recipe in individual ramekins over a mound of rice, garnished with fresh herbs and a lemon wedge. It instantly feels restaurant-worthy! I’ve also tried plating it over creamy grits for a Southern twist that everyone loved. Presentation doesn’t have to be complicated — adding a colorful side or a decorative sprinkle is all you need to impress.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you end up with leftovers (which might not happen, trust me!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. I’ve found the flavors actually deepen after a day, making the next meal just as tasty. Just be sure to cool it completely before refrigerating to keep things fresh.

Freezing

I generally avoid freezing shrimp creole because shrimp can get a bit rubbery when thawed. But if you must, freeze the sauce and rice separately without the shrimp and add fresh shrimp when reheating — this keeps the texture just right.

Reheating

When reheating, I like to warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if it’s too thick. This keeps the shrimp tender and prevents the sauce from drying out. Microwave works too, but stir every 30 seconds to avoid uneven heating.

FAQs

Can I make this Easy Shrimp Creole Recipe spicier?

Absolutely! You can easily add cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or extra chili powder to taste. Start with a small amount and adjust gradually — that way, you control the heat level and keep the flavors balanced.
What can I substitute if I don’t have shrimp?

If shrimp isn’t your thing or you don’t have it on hand, Andouille sausage is a fantastic substitute for a smoky flavor. For a vegetarian option, mushrooms or tofu work well too. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

You can prep the veggies and sauce base ahead and keep them refrigerated, but add and cook the shrimp fresh. This keeps the shrimp tender and prevents overcooking when reheating.
What’s the best way to serve this dish?

I love serving Easy Shrimp Creole Recipe over steamed white or brown rice, with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a burst of color and fresh flavor. It’s classic, simple, and delicious every time.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Shrimp Creole Recipe has carved out a special place in my kitchen because it’s just so gratifying — rich, tasty, and easy enough to make any night of the week. I hope you give it a try because it’s one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug after a long day. Once you taste that sauce with perfectly cooked shrimp, you’ll understand why I keep coming back for more. So grab those shrimp and get cooking — I can’t wait for you to enjoy it as much as my family does!