16 Easy Southern Louisiana Shrimp Recipes

These Southern Louisiana shrimp recipes come straight from the heart of Cajun country, where shrimp is not just an ingredient - it is a way of life. Gulf shrimp has fed Louisiana families for generations, and these recipes carry that tradition into your kitchen with bold, honest, and deeply satisfying flavors. Every dish here is rooted in the kind of cooking passed down at kitchen tables across Acadiana.

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Shrimp have always had a special place in my Louisiana kitchen. Growing up, our mama kept bags of freshly harvested Gulf shrimp in the freezer all year long, ready for whatever she felt like cooking. A pot of shrimp okra gumbo, a quick shrimp stew over rice, or a batch of boiled shrimp for the family - it never took much to make something memorable. That is the beauty of cooking with Gulf shrimp. It is versatile, it is fast, and it soaks up Cajun seasoning like nothing else.

Before you start cooking, you might want to check out The Shrimp Tool - a handy little gadget that peels and deveins shrimp in seconds and makes the whole process so much easier. It is one of my favorite kitchen timesavers, and once you try it, you will wonder how you ever managed without it. Now let's get into all 16 of these delicious Cajun seafood recipes that celebrate the very best of what Gulf shrimp can do!

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Let's start with some quick staples -

Easy sautéed and boiled shrimp are the building blocks of so many Louisiana shrimp dishes. Master these two simple techniques, and you will always have a head start on dinner. They are wonderful on their own, but they also work beautifully as a base for salads, appetizers, and quick weeknight meals. Gulf shrimp cook fast - we are talking just a few minutes - so once you have these staples down, the rest of these easy shrimp recipes come together in no time.

A large silver skillet with tongs tossing sautéed shrimp.

Easy Sautéed Shrimp, Simple Stove Top Recipe

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when a recipe calls for pre-cooked shrimp. Made with simple ingredients, it takes just minutes to cook and is ideal for adding to Cajun shrimp dishes or salads. The healthy recipe also offers tips to customize the flavor with your favorite spices for an authentic Louisiana-style taste.

Easy Boiled Shrimp Recipe

Nothing beats the classic Louisiana boiled shrimp! With this easy recipe, you'll find no need for a bottled liquid crab boil or a boxed seasoning packet. With just seasonings from your pantry, fresh lemon juice, fresh or frozen shrimp, and a large pot of boiling water, you'll be eating tender, juicy shrimp in minutes. They are perfect for serving alongside Creole sauces, such as remoulade sauce, which is easily made in a food processor.

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These Shrimp Appetizers Bring Company to the Table

Round up these starters with Cajun Firecracker Ranch Crackers for crispy baked saltines packed with flavor. They're easy to make and pair well with these appetizers below.

A dish of Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs garnished with cooked shrimp tails on top.

Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs Recipe

Add a Louisiana twist to the traditional Southern deviled eggs with this spicy Cajun shrimp recipe spiked with horseradish and red pepper flakes. Perfect as an appetizing appetizer or party snack, it's an easy way to enjoy Cajun flavors in every bite.

A white plate with a congealed shrimp dip in the shape of a crawfish surrounded with fresh parsley and crackers next to a copper colored crawfish mold.

Shrimp Mold Recipe, A New Orleans Style Dip

This delicious Shrimp Mold Recipe is stamped with the flavors of New Orleans, creating a chilled, savory seafood dip that molds beautifully. It's a show-stopping Louisiana appetizer for gatherings.

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Gumbo, Soup, Bisque, and Salad for a Starter or Main Dish

Serve these star shrimp dishes in small portions as a first course for meals or as the main entree. They are a delicious introduction for fish main dishes such as Fish Court-Bouillon or fried fish.

Seafood Bisque

A scrumptious creamy bisque with lumps of crabmeat and shrimp seasoned with a kick of cayenne pepper and a hint of sherry.

Shrimp Salad With a Cajun Kick

This Louisiana shrimp salad combines spicy horseradish sauce, crispy red peppers, and artichoke hearts for a unique seafood salad. Yes, artichoke hearts! It's perfect for lunch, light dinners, or picnics with a Cajun flair. It will be love at first bite, I'm sure!

Shrimp Okra Gumbo Recipe: Made With Smothered Okra

This unique and healthy Cajun gumbo features shrimp and smothered okra instead of the traditional roux. It's a gourmet Louisiana gumbo that's hearty, low-fat, and ideal for a main dish or soul-warming starter.

Seafood Gumbo

Nothing beats homemade seafood gumbo, especially when it's my Mama's most-loved recipe. This seafood gumbo boasts the great flavors of fresh seafood, including crab, shrimp, and oysters. The dark roux and spices give it a true taste of Louisiana.

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A white bowl filled with Shrimp And Corn Soup.

Louisiana Shrimp And Corn Soup, A Cajun Recipe

This soup begins with a roux and the classic Cajun trinity of onions, bell peppers, and celery. Its spicy tomatoey broth balances the sweetness of the corn and flavorful shrimp.

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Stews and Etouffes are a Cajun Specialty

Cajuns can make almost anything into a stew. All they need is a protein, vegetables, broth, and spicy seasonings. These shrimp dishes will not disappoint!

A white pasta bowl of shrimp etouffee on a mound of white rice.

Cajun Shrimp Etouffee, Easy Recipe from Acadiana

This smothered shrimp recipe in a buttery white sauce is flavored with the Cajun trinity and a kick of cayenne. The étouffée is served over rice and enjoyed as a favorite classic Southern Louisiana dish.

A white bowl of shrimp stew on rice with a poached eggs cut into with a fork.

Louisiana Shrimp Stew With Eggs

First, you make a roux for this rich, old-fashioned shrimp stew, then end it with freshly cracked eggs poured right into the gravy for poaching. Delicious on a bed of rice!

A pot of shrimp creole garnished with lemon wedges.

Shrimp Creole: A Spicy Louisiana Classic

This seasoned shrimp creole features a thick tomato sauce with fresh herbs and the Cajun trinity. Serve this stew over a bed of rice with lemon slices for a classic Louisiana Creole experience.

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Shrimp Main Dishes

Below are some favorite Louisiana dishes. They are guaranteed to bring comfort all the way from your taste buds to your tummy.

Cajun Shrimp and Grits Recipe with Andouille Sausage

Indulge in one of Louisiana's most iconic dishes - Cajun shrimp and grits with smoky Andouille sausage. Creamy Southern grits, spicy Cajun shrimp, and flavorful sausage come together to create a hearty Louisiana comfort food that's perfect for brunch or a simple dinner.

A blue plate of chicken and shrimp jambalaya.

Chicken And Shrimp Jambalaya Recipe With Sausage

This one-pot jambalaya features chicken, shrimp, and smoked sausage, making it a hearty Cajun dish. It's a classic Louisiana rice recipe that's perfect for family dinners.

Cooked shrimp, sausage, and mushrooms in a spicy sauce in a pan stirred with a wooden spoon.

Barbecue Shrimp Bowl

If you enjoy the spicy, saucy flavors of New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp, here's a convenient shrimp bowl-ideal for outdoor gatherings and Louisiana-inspired dinners-that brings authentic Cajun barbecue shrimp right to your home. Best for large shrimp. It's delicious served with crusty bread to sop up every bit of the flavorful sauce.

Shrimp And Crawfish Pasta in wooden bowl with wooden serving spoons

Shrimp and Crawfish Pasta With A Creamy Sauce Recipe

Combine Louisiana crawfish and shrimp with rich, cheesy pasta and Cajun spices. It's so very delicious! This seafood pasta recipe is a great dish for seafood lovers craving authentic Louisiana flavors.

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Ready to bring these Southern Louisiana shrimp recipes into your kitchen? Whether you're looking for quick snacks or festive main courses, these dishes celebrate the bold, zesty flavors of Louisiana cooking. Dive in and enjoy the authentic taste of the South!

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A collage of shrimp dishes with words about shrimp recipes.

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"I would rather be what God chose to make me than the most glorious creature that I could think of; for to have been thought about, born in God's thought, and then made by God, is the dearest, grandest and most precious thing in all thinking."

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