16 Easy Southern Louisiana Shrimp Recipes

Southern Louisiana shrimp recipes solve the age-old question of "What's for dinner?" when you want something satisfying but don't want to spend all day in the kitchen. Gulf shrimp cook fast, soak up Cajun seasoning like a dream, and turn even the simplest ingredients into something worth sitting down for.

These 16 Cajun shrimp recipes bring that bold, honest flavor straight to your table.

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Shrimp has always been the star of my Louisiana kitchen. Growing up, our mama kept bags of freshly harvested Gulf shrimp in the freezer all year long. She'd pull them out for a quick shrimp stew over rice on a school night, or a big pot of gumbo when company was coming. It never took much to make something memorable. That is the beauty of cooking with Gulf shrimp - it's versatile, forgiving, and fits right into the rhythm of everyday life.

I put this collection together because I kept getting asked the same question: what do I do with shrimp besides boil it? The answer, as it turns out, is quite a lot! From creamy bisques to one-pot jambalayas to stuffed pistolettes, there's a shrimp dish here for every craving and every occasion. And if you love shrimp as much as I do, my Cajun Shrimp Etouffee is a must-try - smothered in a buttery sauce over rice, it's pure Louisiana comfort in a bowl.

Jump to:

• Before You Start: A Helpful Shrimp Tip
• Quick Staples: Sautéed and Boiled Shrimp
• Easy Sautéed Shrimp, Simple Stove Top Recipe
• Easy Boiled Shrimp Recipe
• Shrimp Appetizers That Bring Company to the Table
• Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs Recipe
• Shrimp Mold Recipe, A New Orleans Style Molded Dip
• Shrimp Pistolettes, Stuffed and Baked Cajun Recipe
• Gumbo, Soup, Bisque, and Salad
• Seafood Bisque
• Shrimp Salad
• Shrimp Okra Gumbo Recipe: Made With Smothered Okra
• Seafood Gumbo
• Louisiana Shrimp And Corn Soup, A Cajun Recipe
• Stews and Étouffées: A Cajun Specialty
• Cajun Shrimp Etouffee, Easy Recipe from Acadiana
• Shrimp Stew With Eggs
• Shrimp Creole
• Shrimp Main Dishes
• Cajun Shrimp and Grits Recipe with Andouille Sausage (Creamy Cheesy Grits)
• Chicken And Shrimp Jambalaya Recipe With Sausage
• Barbecue Shrimp Bowl
• Shrimp and Crawfish Pasta With A Creamy Sauce Recipe
• Top Tip When Cooking Southern Louisiana Shrimp Recipes
• FAQ
• Storage
• Don't forget to Pin Me!
• Comments

Before You Start: A Helpful Shrimp Tip

Before you start cooking, peeling and deveining shrimp is the step that slows most people down. If you haven't used The Shrimp Tool yet, it is worth looking into. It peels and deveins shrimp in seconds and makes the whole process much easier. It's one of my favorite kitchen timesavers. You can also purchase pre-peeled shrimp at most grocery stores - now that's a beautiful time-saver right there!

NOTE THIS: Fresh shrimp can be preserved by freezing in water, with or without their heads and shells. Keep a stash in your freezer, and you're always just minutes away from a great meal.

Quick Staples: Sautéed and Boiled Shrimp

Let's start with the building blocks of so many of these dishes. Master these two simple techniques, and you'll always have a head start on dinner.

Gulf shrimp cook fast - we're talking just a few minutes - so once you have these staples down, everything else comes together in no time. They are wonderful on their own and work beautifully as a base for salads, appetizers, and quick weeknight meals.

For all the seafood recipes that follow, knowing how to cook shrimp the right way is your starting point. These two are where it all begins.

Easy Sautéed Shrimp, Simple Stove Top Recipe: Made with simple ingredients, this takes just minutes and is ideal for adding to Cajun shrimp dishes or salads. Tips are included to customize the flavor with your favorite spices for an authentic Louisiana-style taste.

Easy Boiled Shrimp Recipe: Nothing beats the classic! No bottled crab boil needed. With pantry seasonings, fresh lemon juice, and a large pot of boiling water, you'll have tender, juicy shrimp ready in minutes. Wonderful served alongside a homemade remoulade sauce.

Shrimp Appetizers That Bring Company to the Table

These starters are always a hit at gatherings. Set them out and watch them disappear. I love pairing them with Cajun Firecracker Ranch Crackers for a little extra crunch on the side.

Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs Recipe: A Louisiana twist on the classic Southern deviled egg, spiked with horseradish and red pepper flakes. Spicy, creamy, and so good at a party.

Shrimp Mold Recipe, A New Orleans Style Dip: A chilled, savory seafood dip that molds beautifully. It's a show-stopping appetizer for any gathering and always gets people talking.

My Shrimp Pistolettes are proof that stuffed and baked shrimp appetizers can be just as satisfying as any main course. They feature a savory Cajun shrimp filling tucked inside petite French bread-crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside. A crowd-pleaser every single time.

Gumbo, Soup, Bisque, and Salad

Serve these as a starter or let them be the star of the meal. Either way, you won't hear any complaints at the table. They are a delicious introduction for fish main dishes such as Fish Court-Bouillon or fried fish.

Seafood Bisque: Creamy and rich, with lumps of crabmeat and shrimp seasoned with a kick of cayenne and a hint of sherry. So tantalizing!

Shrimp Salad With a Cajun Kick : This one combines spicy horseradish sauce, crispy red peppers, and artichoke hearts for a salad unlike anything you've tried before. It's wonderful for lunch, light dinners, or a summer picnic.

Shrimp Okra Gumbo Recipe: Made With Smothered Okra This unique Cajun gumbo uses smothered okra instead of a traditional roux to thicken it. Hearty, healthy, and deeply satisfying. It is one of our family's most beloved shrimp dishes.

Seafood Gumbo: Mama's most-loved recipe, and for good reason. Fresh crab, shrimp, and oysters in a dark roux - this is the real deal. A true taste of Louisiana in every spoonful.

Louisiana Shrimp and Corn Soup, A Cajun Recipe starts with a roux and the Cajun holy trinity of onions, bell peppers, and celery. The spicy tomatoey broth balances the sweetness of the corn beautifully.

Stews and Étouffées: A Cajun Specialty

Cajuns can make almost anything into a stew, and shrimp is no exception. These dishes are rib-sticking, saucy, and absolutely delectably delicious over a scoop of rice.

Cajun Shrimp Étouffée, Easy Recipe from Acadiana Smothered shrimp in a buttery white sauce with the Cajun trinity and a kick of cayenne, served over rice. A classic Southern Louisiana dish that never gets old. C'est bon!

Louisiana Shrimp Stew With Eggs You start with a roux, build a rich shrimp gravy, then crack fresh eggs right into the pot to poach. Old-fashioned and absolutely satisfying on a bed of rice.

Shrimp Creole: A Spicy Louisiana Classic A thick tomato sauce with fresh herbs, the Cajun trinity, and seasoned shrimp. Serve over rice with lemon slices for a classic Louisiana Creole experience. I do the same smothering technique for my Chicken Sauce Piquant - that deep, slow-cooked sauce is what makes Cajun stews so special.

Shrimp Main Dishes

Here are the heartiest shrimp dishes in the collection. These are guaranteed to bring comfort all the way from your taste buds to your tummy.

Cajun Shrimp and Grits Recipe with Andouille Sausage: One of Louisiana's most iconic dishes. Creamy Southern grits, spicy Cajun shrimp, and smoky andouille sausage all in one bowl. So easy to make and perfect for brunch or dinner.

Chicken and Shrimp Jambalaya Recipe with Sausage: A one-pot dish with chicken, shrimp, and smoked sausage - a classic Louisiana rice recipe that feeds a crowd and makes everyone happy. I have a great Pork Jambalaya with Sausage that uses the same one-pot method and is just as satisfying when you want to switch up the protein.

Barbecue Shrimp Bowl: Spicy, saucy, New Orleans-style barbecue shrimp served in a bowl - ideal for outdoor gatherings. Best made with large shrimp, and be sure to have crusty bread ready to sop up every bit of that flavorful sauce.

Shrimp and Crawfish Pasta With a Creamy Sauce Recipe: Louisiana crawfish and shrimp with rich, cheesy pasta and Cajun spices. It is so very delicious and a great dish for anyone craving authentic Louisiana seafood flavors.

Top Tip When Cooking Southern Louisiana Shrimp Recipes

If peeled shrimp and your other ingredients are ready in the freezer ahead of time, most of these recipes come together in under 30 minutes. That is the magic of Gulf shrimp - it does't need much time, just good seasoning and a little love.

FAQ

Storage

Most shrimp dishes store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Gumbos and stews can also be frozen for up to 3 months. When reheating, use low to medium heat and add a splash of broth or water if needed to loosen the sauce. Avoid overheating shrimp when reheating - it can make them tough.

Don't forget to Pin Me!

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