If you love bold flavors and the vibrant tastes of the South, this Seafood Creole Recipe is an absolute must-try. It’s a hearty, comforting dish bursting with fresh seafood, aromatic herbs, and a rich tomato base that delivers a wonderful balance of spice and zest. This recipe brings together shrimp, scallops, and haddock in a luscious, savory sauce that will have everyone reaching for seconds. Whether you’re cooking for family or hosting friends, the Seafood Creole Recipe is a delightful way to impress with a classic dish that feels both special and homey.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting ready to make this Seafood Creole Recipe is a joy because the ingredients are straightforward, yet each plays a crucial role in building the depth of flavor and texture you’ll love. From fragrant herbs to fresh seafood, every element is essential for that perfect Creole experience.
- Dried oregano (¾ teaspoon): Adds a subtle earthiness to balance the spicy elements.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances all the natural flavors in the dish.
- White pepper (½ teaspoon): Provides gentle heat without overpowering the other spices.
- Black pepper (½ teaspoon): Brings a sharp pungency to the seasoning mix.
- Cayenne pepper (½ teaspoon): Delivers a lively kick for true Creole character.
- Dried thyme leaves (½ teaspoon): Offers a warm, herbal note that ties savory flavors together.
- Dried sweet basil (½ teaspoon): Adds a hint of sweetness and aromatic depth.
- Butter (¼ cup): Creates a rich base for sautéing vegetables and blends all flavors beautifully.
- Chopped tomato (1 cup): Provides acidity and a fresh, juicy texture for the sauce.
- Chopped onion (¾ cup): Adds natural sweetness and foundational flavor.
- Chopped celery (¾ cup): Brings crunch and a subtle peppery taste.
- Chopped green bell pepper (¾ cup): Contributes a mild bitterness and vibrant color.
- Minced garlic (1½ teaspoons): Infuses the dish with pungent, aromatic warmth.
- Chicken stock (1¼ cups): Creates a savory depth and moisturizes seafood perfectly.
- Tomato sauce (1 cup): Thickens the sauce and enriches the tomato flavor.
- Sugar (1 teaspoon): Balances acidity and rounds out the sauces’ tanginess.
- Hot pepper sauce (½ teaspoon): Adds a subtle heat that brightens the whole dish.
- Bay leaves (2): Impart a fragrant, slightly floral aroma during simmering.
- Rock shrimp (1 pound): Sweet, firm seafood that cooks perfectly in the simmering sauce.
- Bay scallops (1 pound): Tender, succulent scallops that soak up all the Creole flavors.
- Haddock (1 pound): Mild white fish that adds hearty texture without overpowering the dish.
How to Make Seafood Creole Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Seasoning Mix
First, combine the dried oregano, salt, white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, thyme, and basil in a small bowl. This blend is your flavor foundation, layering a perfect balance of herbs and spices essential to the authentic taste of the Seafood Creole Recipe. Set it aside while you move on to the veggies.
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat, then add the chopped tomato, onion, celery, green bell pepper, and garlic. Cook everything together until the onions turn translucent and the veg softens, about 5 minutes. This mix creates the heart of your sauce, with each vegetable adding color, sweetness, and texture that truly defines the Creole style.
Step 3: Add Liquids and Seasoning
Next, stir in the chicken stock and tomato sauce—these liquids bring richness and body to the dish. Sweeten the pot with sugar, add the hot pepper sauce for that signature zing, and slip in the bay leaves. Sprinkle in your prepared seasoning mix, give everything a good stir, and lower the heat to let it all simmer. Let it gently bubble for about 20 minutes, occasionally stirring, to develop those deep, soul-satisfying flavors that make this Seafood Creole Recipe so irresistible.
Step 4: Cook the Seafood
Finally, add the rock shrimp, bay scallops, and haddock to the pot. These fresh seafood treasures will cook perfectly in about 20 minutes, turning opaque and tender without falling apart. Before serving, don’t forget to fish out the bay leaves—you want all their aroma but none of their bite. This finishing step ensures every bite of the Seafood Creole Recipe shines with perfectly cooked, flavorful seafood.
How to Serve Seafood Creole Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or green onions adds a vibrant pop of color and a fresh herbal note that complements the warm, spicy sauce beautifully. If you like a little extra heat, a few dashes of hot sauce on top always elevate the dish’s bold flavors.
Side Dishes
Seafood Creole pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or crusty French bread to soak up every delicious drop of sauce. For a lighter complement, a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness, creating a balanced meal that’s truly satisfying.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve the Seafood Creole in individual bowls garnished with lemon wedges for a fresh citrus twist. Alternatively, spoon it over creamy grits or buttery polenta to add Southern soul to your plate, making the experience even more special for your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Seafood Creole keeps beautifully in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days. Make sure it’s cooled completely before storing to preserve its fresh taste and texture.
Freezing
This dish freezes well, making it a perfect make-ahead meal. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge to keep the seafood tender and delicious.
Reheating
Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring gently to prevent the seafood from overcooking. Adding a splash of chicken stock or water can help loosen the sauce and restore that freshly made consistency.
FAQs
Can I use other types of seafood in this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute shrimp, scallops, or haddock with crab, mussels, or even firm fish like snapper. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly so everything stays perfectly tender.
Is this Seafood Creole Recipe spicy?
It has a mild to moderate spice level thanks to cayenne pepper and hot pepper sauce. You can easily adjust the heat by adding more or less cayenne or hot sauce to suit your taste.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
While the classic dish is centered on seafood, you can swap the seafood for hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and eggplant, and use vegetable stock in place of chicken stock for a vegetarian twist.
What can I serve with Seafood Creole Recipe for a complete meal?
Serve with fluffy white rice or buttery grits to complement the saucy seafood. Add a fresh salad or steamed greens, and you have a well-rounded, delicious meal.
How do I know when the seafood is perfectly cooked?
The seafood is done when it turns opaque and feels firm but tender to the touch. Overcooking will make it rubbery, so keep a close eye during the last 20 minutes of cooking for the best results.
Final Thoughts
Making this Seafood Creole Recipe is like welcoming a little piece of Southern hospitality into your kitchen — full of warmth, flavor, and love. It’s a dish that invites you to savor every spoonful and enjoy the company around your table. Trust me, once you try it, this Seafood Creole Recipe will become one of your cherished go-to meals for any occasion. So grab your ingredients and dive into this delicious journey today!
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Seafood Creole Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Creole
Description
Seafood Creole is a flavorful and hearty dish combining fresh shrimp, scallops, and haddock in a rich, tomato-based sauce infused with aromatic herbs and spices. This classic Creole recipe features a vibrant mix of vegetables and a blend of seasonings, simmered to perfection for a comforting, savory meal perfect for seafood lovers.
Ingredients
Seasoning Mix
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon dried sweet basil
Main Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 cup chopped tomato
- 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
- 1 pound rock shrimp, thawed if frozen
- 1 pound bay scallops, thawed if frozen
- 1 pound haddock, thawed if frozen
Instructions
- Prepare Seasoning Mix: In a bowl, combine the dried oregano, salt, white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dried thyme leaves, and dried sweet basil. Mix thoroughly and set aside for later use.
- Cook Vegetables: In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped tomato, onion, celery, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook the mixture until the onion becomes translucent and the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
- Add Liquids and Seasoning: Stir in the chicken stock, tomato sauce, sugar, hot pepper sauce, and bay leaves into the pot with vegetables. Add the prepared seasoning mix and stir to combine evenly. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook Seafood: Add the rock shrimp, bay scallops, and haddock pieces to the simmering sauce. Continue cooking until all the seafood turns opaque and firm, indicating it is fully cooked, approximately 20 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaves before serving the dish.
Notes
- Use fresh seafood for the best flavor, but thawed frozen seafood works well too.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper or hot pepper sauce to control the spice level to your preference.
- Serve this dish over steamed rice or with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Leftover seafood creole can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
