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Crawfish Étouffée Recipe

4.6 from 87 reviews

Crawfish Étouffée is a classic Louisiana Creole dish featuring tender crawfish tails smothered in a rich, buttery roux with a flavorful blend of onions, celery, and bell peppers, seasoned with Cajun spices. Traditionally served over steamed white rice, this dish is a comforting and vibrant representation of Southern cuisine.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Étouffée

  • 1 lb crawfish tails
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

For serving

  • 2 cups cooked white rice

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Holy Trinity: Finely chop the onion, celery, and bell pepper. This classic trio forms the flavorful base of the étouffée.
  2. Sauté the vegetables: In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and bell pepper and cook gently until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid browning.
  3. Add Crawfish: Stir in the crawfish tails and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
  4. Simmer the étouffée: Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Season to taste: Add salt and black pepper as needed to enhance the flavor.
  6. Serve: Spoon the crawfish étouffée over warm cooked white rice and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

  • For a thicker étouffée, you can create a light roux by cooking the butter with a small amount of flour before adding the vegetables.
  • Adjust the Cajun seasoning to your heat preference.
  • Use fresh crawfish tails for the best flavor, or substitute with frozen if unavailable.
  • This dish pairs well with crusty French bread and a side of steamed vegetables.

Keywords: Crawfish étouffée, Cajun recipe, Creole dish, Southern cooking, Crawfish tails, Louisiana cuisine