• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Pink Owl Kitchen
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Work with Me
  • E-Cookbook
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Work with Me
    • E-Cookbook
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Pink Owl Kitchen » Cajun Recipes » Cajun Crawfish Etouffee Recipe

    Cajun Crawfish Etouffee Recipe

    Published: Aug 12, 2022 · Modified: Aug 30, 2022 by Ashley Boyd · This post may contain affiliate links

    JUMP TO RECIPE

    Crawfish Etouffee is one of my favorite classic Louisiana dishes made with a robust gravy-like sauce, chopped vegetables, and plenty of crawfish tails. A rich, well-developed roux is the foundation for good etouffee, and a good amount of Cajun seasoning brings everything together in this flavorful dish.

    Louisiana's Cajun and Creole cuisines feature some of the most delicious food in the world, resulting from the state's melting pot of cultural influence and history, including French, African, Native American, and Spanish. Etouffee is one of the most loved dishes in Cajun cuisine and is an explosion of flavors!

    For more Cajun and Creole-inspired recipes, check out our Authentic Chicken and Sausage Gumbo and Cajun Dirty Rice with Smoked Sausage recipes next!

    crawfish etouffee with rice in a white bowl with a orange linen underneath. Herbs and a bowl of cajun seasoning in corner.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe
    • How To Make This Recipe
    • Variations and Substitutions
    • What Is Etouffee?
    • Where Did Etouffee Originate?
    • What Is The Difference Between Gumbo and Etouffee?
    • What Do Crawfish Taste Like?
    • What To Serve With Crawfish Etouffee
    • Make Ahead and Storing Instructions
    • Recommended Tools For This Recipe
    • More Cajun Recipes You Will Love!
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients You Need To Make This Recipe

    crawfish etouffee ingredients on a cutting board.
    • Unsalted butter. To make the roux.
    • All-purpose flour. Also a component of the roux.
    • Yellow onion. For added flavor.
    • Green bell pepper. For texture and flavor.
    • Celery. For texture, freshness, and flavor.
    • Fresh garlic. Garlic adds a delicious herbaceous flavor.
    • Fresh thyme. For a fresh and bright herb flavor.
    • Dried bay leaf. For a subtle bright, minty flavor that keeps the etouffee from being overly heavy.
    • Tomato. For freshness and acidity.
    • Worcestershire sauce. Adds delicious umami flavor and depth.
    • Cajun seasoning. To season the etouffee and give it a little kick. I use my homemade cajun seasoning recipe!
    • Unsalted chicken stock. To create the sauce and give it the perfect consistency.
    • Salt and cracked black pepper. For additional flavor.
    • Frozen or fresh crawfish tails. This freshwater shellfish is a staple in many cajun dishes and has a sweet and briny flavor.
    crawfish etouffee with rice in a white bowl with a orange linen underneath.

    How To Make This Recipe

    • In a medium, heavy-bottom skillet or Dutch oven, melt four tablespoons of butter over medium heat. I love my 10-inch Le Cruset enameled cast-iron skillet for this recipe! Add the flour to the pan and cook the flour with the butter, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone whisk, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until it reaches a light peanut butter color and has a nutty aroma. This is a blond roux.
    • Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.
    • Add the thyme, bay leaf, tomato, cajun seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce and cook while stirring for 2 to 3 minutes. Add one cup of chicken stock, give everything a good stir, and bring the sauce to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Simmer the sauce for 20 to 25 minutes, adding more chicken stock as necessary until the sauce reaches a gravy-like consistency. I prefer a thicker sauce so I ended up using 1.5 cups of stock.
    • Stir in the crawfish tails and continue to simmer the etouffee for 3-5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, allow the etouffee to cool for about 10 minutes, and serve crawfish etouffee in bowls over buttered white rice.
    flour and butter cooking in a skillet.
    blond roux in a skillet.
    vegetables cooking with roux in a skillet.
    crawfish etouffee sauce with broth added cooking in a skillet.
    crawfish etouffee with crawfish meat added in a skillet.
    crawfish etouffee after simmering on a wooden spoon to show detail.

    Variations and Substitutions

    Etouffee can be made with different types of shellfish, including shrimp (the most common variety), crab, scallops, or lobster. You can also combine different types of shellfish to make etouffee.

    And you don't have to stop with shellfish! Etoufee can also be made with chicken or sausage. Try a combination of shellfish and chicken or sausage for a real Cajun feast!

    crawfish etouffee in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon.

    What Is Etouffee?

    Etouffee or Étouffée (pronounced AY-too-FAY) is a popular dish in Cajun and Creole Cuisine that is typically made with shellfish served over rice. The dish is made with a technique called smothering which is also popular in Cajun and Creole cuisine.

    In French, Etouffee means "smothered" or "suffocated". The shellfish in etouffee are smothered in a robust sauce made with a light or blond roux. The roux adds a nutty flavor and also thickens the sauce.

    Vegetables are also an important ingredient in etouffee, and most recipes are made with what is known as the "holy trinity" in Cajun and Creole cooking, or a combination of onion, bell pepper, and celery.

    The dish is seasoned with many different spices and herbs to add to the complexity of the flavors.

    cajun crawfish etouffee in a white bowl with white rice.

    Where Did Etouffee Originate?

    Crawfish etouffee can be dated back to 1920s Louisiana, where it was first made with crawfish tails, crawfish fat, peppers, and onions. Today, etouffee can be found on menus all across Louisiana and in other parts of the south and is typically made with crawfish or shrimp.

    What Is The Difference Between Gumbo and Etouffee?

    The main difference between etouffee and gumbo is the consistency and the roux. Etouffee has a thick, gravy-like consistency and is made with a light or blond roux. Gumbo has more of a stew-like consistency and is made with a dark roux.

    Dark roux has a richer, more robust flavor but does not thicken sauces as well as a lighter roux. Light or blond roux has a lighter, nuttier flavor but has more thickening power.

    This is why gumbo usually has a more intense flavor and is not as thick as etouffee. Gumbo usually has okra or file powder added to help thicken it.

    crawfish etouffee with rice in a white bowl with a orange linen underneath. Herbs and a bowl of cajun seasoning in corner.

    What Do Crawfish Taste Like?

    Crawfish are small freshwater crustaceans that resemble tiny lobsters. The tails of the crawfish are usually what is eaten, although the claws, legs, roe, and tomalley are also edible.

    Crawfish tails have a meaty texture and a mild, sweet, slightly mineral flavor. The most common way crawfish are served is boiled in cajun spices with other ingredients including potatoes, sausage, onions, garlic, and citrus.

    You can typically find fresh crawfish year-round in many parts of Louisiana and winter through spring in other parts of the south. Frozen crawfish tails can be found in many grocery stores year-round.

    crawfish etouffee in a cast iron skillet with a wooden spoon.

    What To Serve With Crawfish Etouffee

    While you will almost always see crawfish etouffee served over steamed or boiled white rice, there are also many accompaniments that pair well with etouffee. Try serving crawfish etouffee with some of the following:

    • Southern Buttermilk Cornbread
    • Southern Hushpuppies
    • Crusty French Bread
    • Fried Green Tomatoes
    • Fried Okra
    • French Fries
    • Sweet Potato Fries
    crawfish etouffee with rice in a white bowl with a orange linen underneath. Herbs and a bowl of cajun seasoning in corner.

    Make Ahead and Storing Instructions

    You can make the sauce for crawfish etouffee a day ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container overnight. Do not add the crawfish to the sauce if making it ahead of time.

    When you are ready to serve, warm the sauce on the stovetop over medium heat and add more stock as needed to bring the sauce to the right consistency. Add the crawfish and simmer for a few more minutes and serve as directed.

    Leftover crawfish etouffee can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Check for an overly fishy or sour smell before enjoying leftovers.

    Recommended Tools For This Recipe

    • Cutting board
    • Chef Knife
    • 10-inch cast-iron skillet
    • Wooden spoon
    • Silicone whisk
    crawfish etouffee on a wooden spoon to show detail.

    More Cajun Recipes You Will Love!

    • New Orleans Remoulade Sauce
    • Cajun Smothered Chicken
    • Homemade Blackening Seasoning
    • Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Corn Chowder
    • Cajun Mushroom Pasta

    📖 Recipe

    crawfish etouffee on a wooden spoon to show detail.

    Cajun Crawfish Etouffee Recipe

    Ashley
    Crawfish Etouffee is one of my favorite classic Louisiana dishes made with a robust gravy-like sauce, chopped vegetables, and plenty of crawfish tails. A rich, well-developed roux is the foundation for good etouffee, and a good amount of Cajun seasoning brings everything together in this flavorful dish.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 50 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Cajun
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 266 kcal

    Equipment

    • 10-inch cast iron skillet , or dutch oven

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 1 small yellow onion chopped
    • 1 medium green bell pepper rinsed, seeded and chopped
    • 2 stalks celery chopped
    • 4 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
    • 1 dried bay leaf
    • 1 medium tomato chopped
    • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning store-bought or homemade, my recipe linked
    • 1-2 cups unsalted chicken stock or shrimp or seafood stock
    • salt
    • cracked black pepper
    • 1 pound crawfish tail meat
    • Cooked white rice for serving
    • Chopped green onions and fresh chopped parsley for garnish

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium, heavy-bottom skillet or Dutch oven, melt four tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the flour to the pan and cook the flour with the butter, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or silicone whisk, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until it reaches a light peanut butter color and has a nutty aroma. Do not walk away from the stove, the roux can easily burn.
    • Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.
    • Add the thyme, bay leaf, tomato, cajun seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce and cook while stirring for 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly pour in one cup of chicken stock, while stirring, and bring the sauce to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Simmer the sauce for 20-25 minutes, adding more chicken stock as necessary until the sauce reaches a thick gravy-like consistency. Season with salt and cracked black pepper to taste.
    • Stir in the crawfish tails and continue to simmer the etouffee for 3-5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, allow the etouffee to cool for about 10 minutes, and serve crawfish etouffee in bowls over buttered white rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and parsley.

    Notes

    • You can make the sauce for crawfish etouffee a day ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container overnight. Do not add the crawfish to the sauce if making it ahead of time.
    • When you are ready to serve, warm the sauce on the stovetop over medium heat and add more stock as needed to bring the sauce to the right consistency. Add the crawfish and simmer for a few more minutes and serve as directed.
    • Leftover crawfish etouffee can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving (without rice)Calories: 266kcalCarbohydrates: 13.7gProtein: 22.1gFat: 13.5gSaturated Fat: 7.6gCholesterol: 186mgSodium: 764mgPotassium: 460mgFiber: 1.8gSugar: 4gCalcium: 93mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword cajun recipes, crawfish etouffee, etouffee
    Tried this recipe?Tag @thepinkowlkitchen on Instagram! And don't forget to leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and review!

    More Cajun Recipes

    • New Orleans King Cake
    • Cajun Jambalaya Pasta
    • Easy Cajun Salmon Recipe
    • New Orleans Beignets

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Britney

      August 13, 2022 at 2:20 am

      5 stars
      I made this for dinner tonight and swore up and down that I would be able to have it for lunch tomorrow too - but between my husband and I, we ate it ALL. It was SO good!! Thank you for this phenomenal recipe!

      Reply
      • Ashley Boyd

        August 16, 2022 at 11:28 pm

        Oh wow, what a huge compliment! The same thing happens in our home Britney! I'm so happy you both enjoyed the recipe and thank you for trying it.

        Reply

    Share Your Thoughts! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Ashley sitting on a counter making salad.

    Hi! I'm Ashley.

    I am a new mom, wife, and creator of all you see here at Pink Owl Kitchen. All of our recipes are influenced by my southern upbringing and are made with fresh, seasonal ingredients to encourage families to come together around the dinner table more!

    Learn more about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Southern Candied Yams (Old Fashioned Soul Food Recipe)
    • Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
    • Southern Sweet Potato Pie
    • Cajun Dirty Rice with Smoked Sausage

    As Seen In!

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy and Disclaimers
    • About

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Pink Owl Kitchen LLC | All Rights Reserved