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–+ servings
Shrimp Bayou
Shrimp Bayou is a classic Southern-American comfort dish that combines tender shrimp with savory vegetables, herbs, and quick-cooking rice in a tomato-rich sauce. Its name nods to the bayous of Louisiana, where shrimp is a regional staple and Cajun-Creole cooking inspires deeply flavorful one-pot meals. With buttery aromatics, a hint of sweetness, and just enough Worcestershire tang, this weeknight-friendly recipe captures the spirit of down-home cooking while remaining easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Southern
Servings 6
Calories 197 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb peeled tomatoes
  • ½ cup celery (sliced )
  • ¼ cup green pepper (thin strips )
  • ¼ cup onions (minced )
  • 3 tbsp butter (or shortening)
  • 1 lb shrimp (cleaned)
  • 1⅛ tsp black pepper
  • ½ to 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 sprig parsley (small)
  • ¼ tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1½ cups minute rice
  • water (as needed (to bring liquid volume to 1⅓ cups))

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare Tomatoes

  • Drain the canned tomatoes, reserving the liquid.
  • Add enough water to the liquid to total 1⅓ cups. Set aside.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetables

  • In a large saucepan, melt butter or shortening.
  • Add celery, green pepper, and onion.
  • Sauté until lightly browned and fragrant.

Step 3: Cook Shrimp

  • Add shrimp to the pan and cook until pink, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Combine and Simmer

  • Add tomatoes, reserved liquid, salt, pepper, sugar, bay leaf, parsley, and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Cover and simmer for 3–5 minutes.

Step 5: Add Rice and Finish

  • Stir in rice.
  • Cover and simmer an additional 5 minutes.
  • Remove bay leaf and parsley before serving.

Tips

  • Use fresh tomatoes instead of canned for a lighter texture
  • Substitute olive oil for butter to reduce saturated fat
  • Add cayenne pepper for extra heat
  • Serve over long-grain rice instead of minute rice if preferred
  • Add garlic with the onions for deeper flavor
  • Use shrimp stock instead of water for richer taste
  • Garnish with extra fresh parsley before serving
  • Remove bay leaf promptly before serving to avoid bitterness

Nutrition

Calories: 197kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 18gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 123mgSodium: 322mgPotassium: 413mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 168IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 101mgIron: 3mg
Keyword bayou, comfort food, creole, one pot meal, rice dish, shrimp, vintage recipe
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