Seafood Creole is a comforting Southern classic filled with tender shrimp, scallops, and flaky fish simmered in a rich, tomato-based Creole sauce. Packed with aromatic vegetables and bold Cajun-inspired seasonings, this one-pot meal delivers restaurant-quality flavor that’s surprisingly easy to make at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich, hearty, and full of authentic Creole flavor.
- Loaded with tender seafood in every bite.
- Made in one pot for easy cleanup.
- Perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.
- Easy to customize with your favorite seafood.
- Delicious served over fluffy white rice.
Ingredients
Seasoning Mix
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
Creole Sauce
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup peeled, chopped tomatoes
- ¾ cup chopped onion
- ¾ cup chopped celery
- ¾ cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1½ teaspoons minced garlic
- 1¼ cups chicken stock
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce
- 2 bay leaves
Seafood
- 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 pound bay scallops
- 1 pound haddock fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
Optional for Serving
- Cooked white rice
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the oregano, salt, white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, thyme, and basil. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, onion, celery, green bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and the onion becomes translucent.
- Stir in the chicken stock, tomato sauce, sugar, hot sauce, and bay leaves.
- Add the prepared seasoning mixture and stir well.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes to develop its rich Creole flavor.
- Gently stir in the shrimp, scallops, and haddock.
- Simmer for another 15–20 minutes until the seafood is fully cooked and opaque. Avoid overcooking to keep the seafood tender.
- Remove the bay leaves before serving.
- Serve the Seafood Creole hot over steamed white rice and garnish with chopped parsley and fresh lemon wedges.
Tips & Tricks
- Use fresh seafood whenever possible for the best flavor.
- Frozen seafood works well if fully thawed and drained.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the spice level.
- Avoid boiling after adding the seafood to prevent it from becoming tough.
- Add crab meat or crawfish for an even richer seafood stew.
- Prepare the sauce ahead of time and add the seafood just before serving.
Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Creole
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: High Protein, Nut-Free
Notes
- Serve over jasmine rice or long-grain white rice for a traditional meal.
- Crusty French bread is perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or sliced green onions for freshness.
- Add extra hot sauce at the table if you enjoy more heat.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 46g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fat: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
FAQ
What is Seafood Creole?
Seafood Creole is a Louisiana-inspired dish featuring shrimp, fish, and other seafood simmered in a flavorful tomato-based sauce with the “Holy Trinity” of onion, celery, and bell pepper.
Can I use different seafood?
Yes. Crab, crawfish, lobster, mussels, clams, or cod all make excellent substitutions.
Is Seafood Creole spicy?
It has a mild to medium level of heat. Reduce or increase the cayenne pepper and hot sauce to suit your taste.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the sauce a day ahead and refrigerate it. Add the seafood when reheating for the freshest texture.
Can Seafood Creole be frozen?
The sauce freezes well for up to 3 months. Seafood may become softer after freezing, so many cooks prefer freezing only the sauce.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze the sauce separately for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Warm gently over low heat until heated through. Avoid boiling to prevent overcooking the seafood.
Similar Recipes
Seafood Creole
Ingredients
Seasoning Mix
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
Creole Sauce
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup peeled chopped tomatoes
- ¾ cup chopped onion
- ¾ cup chopped celery
- ¾ cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1½ teaspoons minced garlic
- 1¼ cups chicken stock
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce
- 2 bay leaves
Seafood
- 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 pound bay scallops
- 1 pound haddock fillets cut into bite-sized pieces
Optional for Serving
- Cooked white rice
- Fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the oregano, salt, white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, thyme, and basil. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the chopped tomatoes, onion, celery, green bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and the onion becomes translucent.
- Stir in the chicken stock, tomato sauce, sugar, hot sauce, and bay leaves.
- Add the prepared seasoning mixture and stir well.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes to develop its rich Creole flavor.
- Gently stir in the shrimp, scallops, and haddock.
- Simmer for another 15–20 minutes until the seafood is fully cooked and opaque. Avoid overcooking to keep the seafood tender.
- Remove the bay leaves before serving.
- Serve the Seafood Creole hot over steamed white rice and garnish with chopped parsley and fresh lemon wedges.
Notes
- Serve over jasmine rice or long-grain white rice for a traditional meal.
- Crusty French bread is perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or sliced green onions for freshness.
- Add extra hot sauce at the table if you enjoy more heat.
Conclusion
Seafood Creole is a timeless Southern comfort food that combines fresh seafood with a rich, savory tomato sauce seasoned with classic Creole spices. Whether you’re preparing a family dinner or serving guests, this hearty one-pot recipe delivers bold flavors and satisfying texture in every bite. Pair it with steamed rice and fresh bread for a complete meal everyone will love.