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You are here: Home / Courses / Main Course / Prawn Étouffée

Prawn Étouffée

17th March 2016 - By Michelle Minnaar
This post may contain affiliate links.

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Prawn Étouffée is rarely seen on European restaurant menus. Learn how to make this American dish, comprising shrimp and  Cajun roux, at home instead.

Creole cuisine

Last week my father would have turned 73 and it was with great gusto that I decided to create a prawn dish to celebrate his birthday in his honour. Seafood had a positive connotation in our household as it was usually enjoyed to mark positive events such as birthdays or achievements.

Only after I made it did it occur to me this dish wouldn’t have been his first choice because he wasn’t a saucy kind of a person. I am. And so the blurring of his memory continues, even though he’s only been gone for less than 18 months. It’s scary.

Making shrimp stock

Maya Angelou said: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

How true. I might start forgetting the small details such as my father’s likes and dislikes but I’ll never forget how he made me feel – unconditionally loved and accepted, no matter what. Cheers to you, Gawie!

Cooking shellfish

If you’re looking for something offbeat, look no further.

Étouffée hails from the Cajun and Creole cuisine and literally means “smothered” in French. The secret to this recipe is Cajun roux, which is flour that has been gently cooked in oil. It eventually turns brown and gives the food a wonderful nutty flavour.

The Americans use shrimp or crawfish, whereas we use prawns.

American food

This is not a simple weeknight dinner. A better occasion would be a Saturday night in with your loved ones or friends where you can chatter while taking turns stirring the roux. Patience is key. Whatever you do, don’t turn up the heat too high because then the flour would burn. If black specks appear, everything will need to be thrown away and you’ll have to start again. The last thing you want is your dinner to have a bitter, burned taste.

While listening to loud music and drinking wine, I ended up with a jar of peanut butter next to me to keep checking whether the roux has reached the right colour. After that everything was a doddle. Have a go at it! I promise you it’s sublime.

Prawn Étouffée

What is your favourite way of enjoying prawns?

Love seafood? Check out these cookbooks!

  • My Kitchen Table: 100 Fish and Seafood Recipes
  • Fish & Shellfish
  • Rick Stein’s Seafood
  • Nathan Outlaw’s Fish Kitchen
  • Rick Stein: From Venice to Istanbul

 

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Cajun cuisine

Prawn Étouffée


★★★★★

4.8 from 21 reviews

  • Author: Michelle Minnaar
  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
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Description

Prawn Étouffée, also know as Shrimp Étouffée in USA, is an easy prawn recipe that entails caramelising roux to achieve a dark, complex flavour which makes the sauce so desirable.


Scale

Ingredients

  • 1kg (2½ lbs) raw prawns with heads
  • 750ml (3 cups) water
  • 80ml (1/3 cup) vegetable oil
  • 80ml (1/3 cup) flour
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 stick celery
  • 1 green pepper
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 125ml (½ cup) white wine
  • 15ml (1 tbsp) Cajun spice
  • 15ml (1 tbsp) paprika
  • 30ml (2 tbsp) butter
  • 125ml (½ cup) fresh parsley
  • 125ml (½ cup) fresh chives

Instructions

  1. Peel and devein the prawns. Reserve the heads and shells.
  2. Put the heads and shells in a large pot with the water. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain and reserve 1½ cups of this stock. Set aside.
  3. Mince the onion, celery, pepper and garlic. Set aside.
  4. To make the Cajun roux, heat the oil in a heavy cast-iron skillet or steel saucepan. Not nonstick!
  5. When the oil is hot, add the flour, a little at a time, and blend to a smooth paste using a wooden spoon.
  6. Cook over a medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the Cajun roux reaches the desired colour. It would take between 25 and 40 minutes. It will gradually deepen in colour from light beige to tan, to a deeper, redder brown.
  7. When it reaches the colour of peanut butter, remove the pan from the heat and immediately mix in the minced vegetables. Continue stirring to prevent further darkening.
  8. Add the seafood stock and blend well.
  9. Add the white wine and bring to a boil.
  10. Stir in the Cajun spice and paprika and remove from the heat.
  11. In another pan, melt the butter. Add the prawns, stir and cook until pink. Stir in the parsley and chives.
  12. Combine the prawns with the sauce and stir well.
  13. Season with salt and hot pepper sauce to taste. Serve immediately.

Notes

Serve on a bed of rice with white wine.

  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Pan Fry
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 196.6g
  • Calories: 323
  • Sugar: 1.1 g
  • Sodium: 228 mg
  • Fat: 17.1 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.6 g
  • Fiber: 1.4 g
  • Protein: 31.8 g
  • Cholesterol: 10 mg

Keywords: etouffee recipe, prawn etouffee, shrimp etouffee, etouffee sauce recipe, prawn dish, easy prawn recipe

Did you make this recipe?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

    17th March 2016 at 3:59 pm

    What great timing – we were in New Orleans last month and my husband loved the etouffee. I’ll have to pass this recipe on to him so he can make it and relive our holiday 🙂

    Reply
  2. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche says

    17th March 2016 at 3:59 pm

    What great timing – we were in New Orleans last month and my husband loved the etouffee. I’ll have to pass this recipe on to him so he can make it and relive our holiday 🙂

    Reply
  3. Rosa says

    17th March 2016 at 4:17 pm

    A mouthwatering dish!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  4. Rosa says

    17th March 2016 at 4:17 pm

    A mouthwatering dish!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  5. Tiff Jordan says

    17th March 2016 at 4:58 pm

    Funny, I was talking to a friend today about how much we both love prawns. I prefer them in the shell, I love shelling them myself as they taste so fresh and juicy. This recipe looks amazing!

    Reply
  6. [email protected] says

    17th March 2016 at 5:38 pm

    I love Cajun food but now living in the UK (okay I’ve been here 26 years now!) it’s not something I ever eat anymore, except if I make it. This is wonderfully evocative recipe for me as it look quite similar to something my own mother used to make. Like your own father, she is no longer here. I would love to make this and think of her just as you think of your father – despite him possibly not liking the heat of this ;-). I appreciate the Maya Angelou quote. I’ve not read this one.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  7. laura banks says

    17th March 2016 at 8:41 pm

    i love breaded spicy prawns

    Reply
  8. laura banks says

    17th March 2016 at 8:42 pm

    already subscribed

    Reply
  9. Leila Benhamida says

    17th March 2016 at 10:13 pm

    Love prawns marinated in tomato and chilli sauce

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  10. Leila Benhamida says

    17th March 2016 at 10:13 pm

    Love prawns marinated in tomato and chilli sauce

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  11. Katie Bryson says

    18th March 2016 at 12:37 pm

    I’ve never heard of this dish, but boy do I want to try it! I’m definitely a sauce-loving lady so this is my kind of Saturday night supper…
    I love the Maya Angelou quote – beautiful xxx

    ★★★★

    Reply
  12. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

    18th March 2016 at 12:39 pm

    I had this when I was in New Orleans a couple of months ago and I love it! I am going to have to try my own version now.

    Reply
  13. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says

    18th March 2016 at 12:39 pm

    I had this when I was in New Orleans a couple of months ago and I love it! I am going to have to try my own version now.

    Reply
  14. emily omara says

    18th March 2016 at 6:09 pm

    in a salad with seafood dressing!

    Reply
  15. emily omara says

    18th March 2016 at 6:09 pm

    in a salad with seafood dressing!

    Reply
  16. Leanne Lunn says

    18th March 2016 at 11:05 pm

    My favourite way is in a seafood stir fry, love prawns.

    Reply
  17. Maddy says

    19th March 2016 at 8:09 pm

    I like my prawns with a squeeze of lemon on freshly buttered (None of this low-fat spread nonsense spread!) granary bread 🙂

    Reply
  18. Alana Walker says

    19th March 2016 at 8:10 pm

    I love prawns in a seafood paella. Already subscribed to the newsletter.

    Reply
  19. Aysha Hudson says

    19th March 2016 at 8:13 pm

    I love prawn cocktail!

    Reply
  20. Fiona K says

    19th March 2016 at 8:21 pm

    I like them spicy in a salad

    Reply
  21. Barbara Handley says

    19th March 2016 at 8:21 pm

    Prawns with garlic butter

    Reply
  22. winnie says

    19th March 2016 at 8:23 pm

    prawns in sandwiches

    Reply
  23. Tracey Peach says

    19th March 2016 at 8:24 pm

    I’m allergic to fish so I stay clear 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  24. Tracey Peach says

    19th March 2016 at 8:24 pm

    I’m allergic to fish so I stay clear 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  25. Rebecca Major says

    19th March 2016 at 8:27 pm

    With a tonne of garlic ? ala Tapas

    Reply
  26. Anna Brown says

    19th March 2016 at 8:31 pm

    I enjoy prawns in a prawn cocktail the most.

    Reply
  27. Tracy Nixon says

    19th March 2016 at 8:33 pm

    I love Barbecued prawns with olive oil, chopped fresh parsley, minced garlic, freshly ground pepper and chilli flakes to taste!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  28. JODIE BEAUMONT says

    19th March 2016 at 8:36 pm

    love prawns in paella and already subscribed!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  29. Angela McDonald says

    19th March 2016 at 8:38 pm

    I love them just simply plain with a dipping sauce!

    Reply
  30. Joy B says

    19th March 2016 at 8:43 pm

    I like my Prawns cooked in garlic and lemon butter with spring onions and a green salad.

    Reply
  31. Zoe G says

    19th March 2016 at 8:51 pm

    I enjoy them in stir-fries

    Reply
  32. Mark Palmer says

    19th March 2016 at 8:53 pm

    Fried in garlic butter

    Reply
  33. Jo Hutchinson says

    19th March 2016 at 9:01 pm

    I love prawns with Avocado.

    Reply
  34. Kim Neville says

    19th March 2016 at 9:15 pm

    Fried with garlic and butter

    Reply
  35. Kim Neville says

    19th March 2016 at 9:16 pm

    Subscribe to newsletter already

    Reply
  36. sharon martin says

    19th March 2016 at 9:20 pm

    fried in a batter, then served covered in a lemon sauce

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  37. Ann Robinson says

    19th March 2016 at 9:20 pm

    I love them fried in garlic butter

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • michelle says

      18th April 2017 at 9:53 pm

      That’s a fantastic combo, Ann. I’ve actually published a recipe here:

      https://www.greedygourmet.com/recipes-by-cooking-times/30-mins-or-less/pan-fried-butter-garlic-prawns/

      ★★★★★

      Reply
  38. Maggie Coates says

    19th March 2016 at 9:33 pm

    I like prawn salad

    Reply
  39. maddalena dalton says

    19th March 2016 at 9:34 pm

    prawn cocktail

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  40. Anthony Harrington says

    19th March 2016 at 9:35 pm

    we are vegetarians so no prawns for us

    Reply
  41. Jo McPherson says

    19th March 2016 at 9:35 pm

    Love them in a light tempura batter with sea salt, chilli and pepper

    Reply
  42. Anthony Harrington says

    19th March 2016 at 9:36 pm

    already a subscriber

    Reply
  43. Anthony Harrington says

    19th March 2016 at 9:36 pm

    already a subscriber

    Reply
  44. Mirjana says

    19th March 2016 at 9:40 pm

    I don’t like prawns 🙁

    Reply
  45. Laura says

    19th March 2016 at 9:42 pm

    in Fried Rice or with mayo on a jacket potato

    Reply
  46. Hannah Smith says

    19th March 2016 at 9:52 pm

    I like to make prawn curry and eat it with Naan

    Reply
  47. Heather Haigh says

    19th March 2016 at 9:57 pm

    I love prawns in a stir fry

    Reply
  48. Jayne Townson says

    19th March 2016 at 10:06 pm

    Just as they come with a side salad. Thanks for the lovely giveaway.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  49. Holly Gibson says

    19th March 2016 at 10:07 pm

    I really like prawns in a dry tikka curry with some saag paneer and naan bread!

    Reply
  50. fozia Akhtar says

    19th March 2016 at 10:09 pm

    Prawn salad

    Reply
  51. fozia Akhtar says

    19th March 2016 at 10:09 pm

    Prawn salad

    Reply
  52. Gilla01 says

    19th March 2016 at 10:19 pm

    Sounds good, but I’ve only ever used frozen prawns as I don’t like preparing fresh ones.

    ★★★

    Reply
  53. Rebecca England says

    19th March 2016 at 10:20 pm

    In a Thai curry

    Reply
  54. Louise A says

    19th March 2016 at 10:26 pm

    Subscribed 🙂

    Reply
  55. lyn Burgess says

    19th March 2016 at 10:28 pm

    I subscribe to the newsletter already

    Reply
  56. Louise A says

    19th March 2016 at 10:28 pm

    I wrap them in foil with salmon steaks and then steam them and serve with fresh veg/salad and a parsley sauce

    Reply
  57. Louise A says

    19th March 2016 at 10:28 pm

    I wrap them in foil with salmon steaks and then steam them and serve with fresh veg/salad and a parsley sauce

    Reply
  58. lyn Burgess says

    19th March 2016 at 10:29 pm

    I like prawns cooked in their shells on a bbq and served with a lime dressing

    Reply
  59. Robyn Seviour says

    19th March 2016 at 10:30 pm

    I love prawns in Laksa or Xin Xim

    Reply
  60. Paul Wilson says

    19th March 2016 at 10:32 pm

    I like prawns on their own, just cooked in their shells.

    Reply
  61. Samantha loughlin says

    19th March 2016 at 10:39 pm

    Prawn linguine

    Reply
  62. Siobhan Davis says

    19th March 2016 at 10:40 pm

    Grilled and with a drizzle of chilli sauce, Its lovely x Thanks so much for the chance x

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  63. Etleva says

    19th March 2016 at 10:47 pm

    I love prawns as a starter with mayonnaise, eggs, rocket salad and so on…

    Reply
  64. Danielle Cross says

    19th March 2016 at 11:12 pm

    Slow Cooker

    Reply
  65. Katie leavy says

    19th March 2016 at 11:23 pm

    Just recently tried prawns for the first time so far I have tried them fried with some salad and had prawn fried rice both delicious keen to try more recipes

    Reply
  66. Katie leavy says

    19th March 2016 at 11:23 pm

    Just recently tried prawns for the first time so far I have tried them fried with some salad and had prawn fried rice both delicious keen to try more recipes

    Reply
  67. Lucy Major says

    20th March 2016 at 12:13 am

    i like prawns with chilli and garlic. it’s amazing 🙂 especially on holiday

    Reply
  68. Jenna Parrington says

    20th March 2016 at 1:42 am

    In a thai red curry! A family favourite!

    Reply
  69. DANIELLE VEDMORE says

    20th March 2016 at 2:12 am

    I have a slight prawn addiction so I love them most ways – in a curry, in stir frys, in pasta, spring rolls, fish stews. Im easy!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  70. Becky Duffy says

    20th March 2016 at 3:01 am

    In a prawn cocktail with salad and seafood sauce

    Reply
  71. Catherine Pawsey says

    20th March 2016 at 7:40 am

    oh you make me hungry !!

    Reply
  72. Mary Heald says

    20th March 2016 at 8:11 am

    Prawn tempura

    Reply
  73. Vicky Spencer says

    20th March 2016 at 8:20 am

    I love a classic prawn cocktail

    Reply
  74. Emma Ellams says

    20th March 2016 at 8:23 am

    It might be old fashioned but I love a good old prawn cocktail but I would definitely love to try more prawn dishes.

    Reply
  75. Emma Ellams says

    20th March 2016 at 8:23 am

    It might be old fashioned but I love a good old prawn cocktail but I would definitely love to try more prawn dishes.

    Reply
  76. Ben Audsley says

    20th March 2016 at 8:25 am

    on their own, from the bbq with lots of mayo!

    Reply
  77. Hilda Hazel Wright says

    20th March 2016 at 8:37 am

    My boyfriend (he is the masterchef, I am the willing skivvy) makes some kind of marie rose sauce, I don’t know much about it apart from the vodka!

    Reply
  78. Jacqueline Fawcett says

    20th March 2016 at 8:39 am

    With garlic butter

    Reply
  79. Jacqueline Fawcett says

    20th March 2016 at 8:39 am

    With garlic butter

    Reply
  80. Jacqueline Fawcett says

    20th March 2016 at 8:39 am

    With garlic butter

    Reply
  81. Heather Shaw says

    20th March 2016 at 8:52 am

    I love prawns on crackers 🙂

    Reply
  82. Heather Shaw says

    20th March 2016 at 8:52 am

    I love prawns on crackers 🙂

    Reply
  83. Andrew Petrie says

    20th March 2016 at 9:07 am

    I put them in a curry with tune or crabmeat.

    Reply
  84. Andrew Petrie says

    20th March 2016 at 9:07 am

    I put them in a curry with tune or crabmeat.

    Reply
  85. Iris W says

    20th March 2016 at 9:08 am

    I love prawns in sweet chilli and garlic or a good old fashioned prawn cocktail

    ★★★★

    Reply
  86. ashleigh allan says

    20th March 2016 at 9:31 am

    In a seafood pasta!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  87. Paul Robson says

    20th March 2016 at 9:41 am

    Fried in garlic, with some special fried rice

    Reply
  88. Emma Nixon says

    20th March 2016 at 10:33 am

    I am not a big fan of prawns. My partner loves them in garlic butter.

    Reply
  89. Emma Nixon says

    20th March 2016 at 10:33 am

    I am not a big fan of prawns. My partner loves them in garlic butter.

    Reply
  90. Emma Nixon says

    20th March 2016 at 10:33 am

    I am not a big fan of prawns. My partner loves them in garlic butter.

    Reply
  91. angela sandhu says

    20th March 2016 at 10:47 am

    prawn tempura

    Reply
  92. angela sandhu says

    20th March 2016 at 10:47 am

    prawn tempura

    Reply
  93. Jayne Kelsall says

    20th March 2016 at 11:30 am

    Quite plain, but I love a prawn curry

    Reply
  94. Jenna says

    20th March 2016 at 12:00 pm

    A simple old prawn cocktail is my favourite

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  95. jackie talbot says

    20th March 2016 at 12:36 pm

    prawn cocktail

    Reply
  96. Sinead ORourke says

    20th March 2016 at 1:19 pm

    Cooked with chilli flakes

    Reply
  97. Sinead ORourke says

    20th March 2016 at 1:19 pm

    Cooked with chilli flakes

    Reply
  98. Marc Chivers says

    20th March 2016 at 1:25 pm

    In prawn salad

    Reply
  99. andy burns says

    20th March 2016 at 1:43 pm

    I enjoy them in a spicy veg and prawn stirfry with rice

    Reply
  100. clair downham says

    20th March 2016 at 2:44 pm

    ooh with lots of garlic and prawns

    Reply
  101. Beky Austerberry says

    20th March 2016 at 3:24 pm

    prawn cocktail

    Reply
  102. Vanessa Cox says

    20th March 2016 at 3:31 pm

    Just grilled on kebabs with chilli and garlic!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  103. Alica says

    20th March 2016 at 3:59 pm

    Simply fried in butter with chilli and garlic!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  104. Angie Hoggett says

    20th March 2016 at 4:00 pm

    in a nice wrap with seafood sauce and crunchy salad

    Reply
  105. Angie Hoggett says

    20th March 2016 at 4:00 pm

    in a nice wrap with seafood sauce and crunchy salad

    Reply
  106. helen tovell says

    20th March 2016 at 4:32 pm

    I have to say I don’t eat prawns at all but the best way I prepare them for my family is marinated on kebabs

    Reply
  107. tracy baines says

    20th March 2016 at 4:35 pm

    I just love prawns with seafood sauce or wrapped and cooked in filo pastry

    Reply
  108. tracy baines says

    20th March 2016 at 4:35 pm

    I just love prawns with seafood sauce or wrapped and cooked in filo pastry

    Reply
  109. Carole says

    20th March 2016 at 5:07 pm

    Only in a prawn cocktail

    Reply
  110. Carole says

    20th March 2016 at 5:07 pm

    Only in a prawn cocktail

    Reply

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