Authentic, Louisiana Crawfish Étouffée made with leftover crawfish from a traditional, Cajun crawfish boil. A rich and beautiful roux smothering the “Holy Trinity” and perfectly seasoning crawfish tails.
Prep Time30minutes
Cook Time1hour40minutes
Total Time2hours10minutes
Servings4people
Ingredients
2lbsboiled crawfishleftover from a crawfish boil
1/3cupvegetable oil
1/3cupall purpose flour
1diced onion
1diced bell pepper
2stalked celerydiced
3clovesminced garlic
1/4cupchopped green onions
2TBSunsalted butter
1TBStomato paste
2 1/2cupscrawfish stock*
1tspliquid crab boil concentrate
1tspWorcestershire sauce
Cajun seasoning and onion powder to taste
Green onions or parsley for garnish
Instructions
For the crawfish stock* peel the crawfish; reserve the peelings(heads and shells) and tails separated.
Place all of the peelings into a large stockpot and cover with water. Set the tails aside for later.
Bring to a boil; reduce the heat to a low boil and simmer for 1 hour.
Drain the stock and set aside.
Discard the peelings.
Heat the vegetable oil in Dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot.
Once the oil is hot, stir in the flour to begin the roux.
Stir constantly at a medium high heat setting until the roux is the shade of peanut butter.
Add in the onions, bell peppers, and celery.
Sauté until translucent; about 8 minutes
Stir in the garlic and green onions; do NOT burn the damn garlic!
Drop in the butter
Add in the tomato paste and stir until combined.
Pour in the stock while stirring.
Add in the liquid crab boil concentrate and Worcestershire sauce.
Bring to a boil and lower the heat.
Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning
Add in the crawfish tails
Stir and simmer on LOW for another 10 minutes.
Serve over warm, white rice.
Garnish with fresh parsley or green onions.
Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*Save the extra crawfish stock for later use. It freezes beautifully.
Have you ever taken a spoonful of a dish and tasted every single ingredient used to prepare it? Well, that is precisely what happened to me when I created this recipe. Goodness gracious is this soup heavenly! Fresh ingredients are key here. I swear I could taste the sunshine and earth these tomatoes were exposed to. And, if you’re wondering…yes. Yes, I was. If you know, you know. Let me show you how I created this stuff!
FRESH IS BEST
WHAT’S IN THIS STUFF?
Tomatoes: Roma tomatoes are the favorite for this soup. However, I was blessed with these gorgeous, nutrient filled, vine-ripened beauties! I knew I had to use them in the soup. I sliced them in half and placed them in the a baking dish. I also add cherry tomatoes for a bit of added sweetness. Don’t keep those cuties!
Onions: Sweet onions are so slept on in tomato soup recipes. Listen, they are delightful in this soup. That added natural glucose pairs well with the acidity of the tomatoes to balance the flavors here.
Garlic: I was carefully not to incorporate too much garlic as it can easily overpower. My bulbs of garlic were very tiny. So, I used two. If you have a normal sized bulb, perfect. You’ll only need one. Roasting my own garlic makes me feel fancy. It’s necessary here.
Spices: This is always my favorite part of recipe development. I love creating spice blends! But, for this soup, I wanted to allow the tomatoes to star in this show. Red pepper flakes and crushed black pepper play very well in this one. A teaspoon of oregano and a dash of onion powder, too! Use my salt measurement as a guide. I don’t know your tastebuds.
COOP! I DON’T HAVE THAT STICK BLENDER THINGY!
It’s all good. Do NOT panic! Just use your blender or food processor. Works all the same. Just be careful not to over blend this stuff. Too much blending will release the bitterness of the tomatoes. We especially don’t want that! I worked hard balancing these flavors for you. Don’t blow it! I trust you.
GRILLED CHEESE IS MANDATORY!
This soup is married to grilled cheese. You need it! It’s a whole experience. Just believe me. I took it to another level by making buttery, garlic-herb bread, toasty, smoke gouda cheese, crouton grilled cheese morsels! I don’t know how else to describe it. I need you to understand that this combo is INSANELY delicious. Got the bread from Walmart. You’re welcome.
I’m so tired of restaurants playing with my emotions!! I was craving Cracker Barrel®️ Hashbrown Casserole so badly last night! I wanted nothing else. Those pillowy shreds of potatoes smothered in cheese with the faintest hint of onion flavor haunted my tastebuds! I need it. To my dismay, those folks have taken it off the menu! Sucked for me. But, great for you! Because I was forced to come up with my own version the next day! And, of course, it’s so much better!
I could make a roux from scratch with my own creams and stuff. But, why in the heck would I do that with Cream of everything exists! The canned stuff gets a bad wrap. But, this stuff is glorious in this recipe. Not too mention, opening a can is only one step. Roux who??
NO RAW ONIONS!
Don’t you dare put those raw onions in this casserole! I know we have to bake the thing, but it’s not enough! Sauté those veggies in butter for added flavor. You’ll still get a pleasant little crunch in the casserole.
I know you love to ask me if you can substitute this for that in my recipes. FUN FACT: I HATE that ish! I’m an artist! Just follow the dang recipe, hell! Yes, you NEED havarti cheese! Thank me now.
No Sticking
Spray or butter your foil to prevent it from sticking to the cheese. If you’re rich, just buy the nonstick foil. Save yourself some tears. Peeling off that beautiful top layer of cheese along with the foil will break your heart. Take my word for it.
Isn’t This Breakfast Food?
No. Well, yeah. But, it works anytime of the day. Don’t make this difficult. Your family wants this added to the Thanksgiving spread. They told me. Ciao.
I remember coming home from middle school and smelling my mom’s gravy from the driveway. I’d just roll my eyes, but my juvenile palette only wanted pizza rolls. Boy, was I missing out! Homemade gravy is a Southern staple! I was an adult when I learned that packaged gravy was an actual thing! “Brown that flour!” Mama knows best! And my Turkey Necks and Gravy recipe is indeed the BEST! Try it for yourself!
Wash That Meat!
Pause. Sorry. But, yes. Wash that damn meat! I don’t want to hear about spreading bacteria. Get the lemon juice and wash the grit off of those turkey necks! Remove as much of that excess fat as you can as well.
Brown is BEAUTIFUL!
Color is important when it comes to gravy. Some folks think using browning sauce is cheating. To hell with ‘em! It’s just extra. A little dap will do ya. We’re still creating our own roux for that homemade gravy.
Brown the necks on ALL sides! It’ll make a huge difference in the flavor of our gravy. We need that fond! It’s not burnt. Well, it shouldn’t be. So, lowered that fire a bit. Don’t get crazy!
See the beauty a good fond creates?? When you sauté those veggies, the fond lifts from the bottom of the pot and marries the flour. Delicious!!
Low and Slow
Don’t rush this meal. We could in a pressure cooker. But, if you’re using the stove, keep it cute. Keep the heat at a medium low setting, cover the pot, and let it do it’s thing for a couple of hours. It’s so worth the wait! Trust me.
Serve it Up!
I visited an incredible restaurant recently. If you’re ever in New Orleans go to Saint John’s on Decatur! Man, look! Those turkey necks are almost as good as mine! Hehehe. Seriously! They serve ‘em with potato salad like I do, too! I like to add rice to soak up that good gravy! Biscuits or cornbread will work, too. You’re gonna love this recipe!
How much do you trust me? Have I ever steered you wrong with food? NOPE! So, I don’t want to hear any gripes about the key ingredient in the recipe, okay? Good. Now, keep scroll to for the best chicken thigh recipe ever. I’m not exaggerating.
The juiciest chicken thighs EVER! Simple ingredients and major flavor! Don’t let the mayo frighten you. It’s necessary!
Prep Time1hour
Cook Time40minutes
Servings8people
Ingredients
Chicken:
8bonelessskinless chicken thighs
1-2TBScajun seasoning
1TBSonion powder
2tspgarlic powder
1tspchili powder
1-2tspsmoked paprika
1tspthyme
1tsprosemary
1TBSfresh parsley
1/4cupMayoJust trust me on this, mkay?
1/2cupunsalted buttermelted
Lemon Pepper Sauce
Juice from 1 lemon
zest from half a lemon
1tspgarlic powder
1TBScracked black pepper
salt to taste
Instructions
Chicken:
Season the chicken thighs will all if the ingredients.
Toss well to ensure that the thighs are coated evenly with the spices and mayo.
Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat your air fryer.
Line the basket of the air fryer with aluminum foil.
Place the thighs into the basket. Leave enough space between each other to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to cook in batches to prevent overcrowding.
Air fry the chicken thighs on 400°F for 18-20 mins flipping the chicken over halfway through. Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.
Remove the chicken from the air fryer and wrap it in aluminum foil.
Allow the thighs to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Lemon Pepper Sauce:
Stir all ingredients together well
Drizzle over the chicken
Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*If using a conventional oven, bake at 400°F on a baking pan with a wired rack for 35-45 minutes or until fully cooked.
Decadent and deliciously fluffy carrot soufflé recipe requiring minimal ingredients. Easy to prepare!
Prep Time10minutes
Cook Time45minutes
Servings8people
Ingredients
2lbspeeled carrots
1/2cupgranulated sugar
1/3cuplight brown sugar
1/4cupall purpose flour
1/3cupevaporated milk
2tspbaking powder
1/2tspcinnamon
1/4tspallspice
3large eggs
1/2cupsalted buttermelted
1TBSpure vanilla extract
Powdered sugaroptional
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F
Boil the carrots in a stockpot of lightly salted water until tender; about 15 mins and drain.
Place the drained carrots into a food processor along with the melted butter and evaporated milk. Process until the carrots are puréed. (Use may use a potato masher and an electric mixer if you do not have a food processor.)
Add all remaining ingredients into the food processor except the powdered sugar.
Process until mixture is puréed and smooth.
Pour the mixture into a greased baking dish and bake, uncovered for 40-45 minutes or until the soufflé has set.
This is the recipe you turn to when you’ve had a hard day, want some comfort, but don’t feel like looking at the kitchen. Take out just won’t do. You crave “REAL FOOD”! If you can relate to any of that, keep reading.
Trinity IS necessary
A good, full gravy needs the Trinity! The onions, bell peppers, and celery have to be finely chopped and smother in butter. Sauté it low and slow until they almost melt and release a ton a huge! That’s the foundation!
Stir Dat Roux, Sha!
I really need you to get over your fear of making a roux! There’s nothing to it! The gravy packs are cool. But, the flavor from making it homemade is unmatched. Here are some tips:
Use a heavy bottomed pan. Cast iron or Magnalite are my favorites
Keep the heat at a medium setting. Many will say you need high heat for a roux. Nope. Keep it steady for your nerves. Takes a little longer, but you’ll get there safely.
DO NOT LEAVE THE STOVE! Chile, let that phone ring and the baby cry.
Use the chicken of your choice. I had some tenders in the freezer I needed to use. I just chopped them up and threw them in. Boneless, skinless thighs are my favorite. But, I was NOT going back to the store. It worked!
I know this looks weird. It’s nothing, but a can of Cream of Mushroom soup! I love the creaminess and flavor it adds to this gravy. If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, Cream of Chicken will work just fine.
The BEST white Chicken Chili recipe you will ever try! Bold statement, right? Trust me. It’s easy and bursting with fresh flavors. Sure to be a family favorite!
Cook Time35minutes
Servings7people
Ingredients
1TBSolive oil
1lbboneless skinless chicken breastcubed or sliced
1packet ranch seasoning
2-3jalapeñosseeded and diced
1/2oniondiced
1bell pepperdiced
1celery stalkdiced
1tspminced garlic
1 4ozcan green chiles
8ozgarlic & herb cream cheese
2 15ozcans great northern beansdrained and rinsed
1 15ozcan whole kernel corndrained
3cupschicken bone broth
1tspchili powder
1tspcumin
2tsponion powder
2tspgarlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: Monterey Jack cheesesour cream, jalapeños, cilantro, avocado, limes, etc.**
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a dutch oven or stockpot.
Add the chicken and ranch seasoning.
When the chicken is almost cooked, add the onions, bell peppers, celery, and jalapeños.
Sauté for 5 minutes.
Add in the garlic and sauté for 30 secs.
Add the green chiles, cream cheese, beans, and corn.
Stir in the chicken bone broth, chili powder, cumin, onion and garlic powders.
Bring to a low simmer and cook, uncovered, for 20 mins.
Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
Garnish with toppings of your choice.
Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Notes: *If you can’t find the garlic and herb cream cheese, use regular cream cheese. **Garnish with cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, cilantro, avocado, and/or limes.
I think I tapped into the mind of Ms. Trunchbull’s favorite baker, Cookie. This has to be the cake Matilda’s homeboy stole. I know Bruce would approve of this recipe. It’s easy. It’s moist and it’s decadent. This will be the ONLY chocolate cake recipe that you will ever need!
Easter in Louisiana is something special. Picture this. Church pews full of pastel colored suits, frilly dresses, and big hats. Kids with blank stares holding a microphone in front of the congregation, because they’ve forgotten the Easter poem their parents made them recite 100 times during the week. Ushers outside during the sermon hiding dyed eggs for the hunt after church. However, all that’s on your mind is the huge pot of Crawfish Bisque with stuffed heads that’s waiting for you in the kitchen back at home. Thank God for Jesus!
The hardest part of the recipe isn’t the roux. It’s following my Louisiana Crawfish Boil recipe: https://coopcancook.com/louisiana-crawfish-boil-recipe/ the day before and reserving some of the crawfish for this Bisque. Then, you have to peel said crawfish without eating them. Pure torture, I tell ya! Try your best to reserve 4-5 pounds of crawfish from the boil. The flavor of them in this Bisque is unmatched!
What’s that Yellow Stuff??
If you’ve never peeled a crawfish, just watch my tutorial. It’s somewhere on this page. Just keep scrolling. Anyway, you want to have 3 bowls setup. One for the crawfish tail meat. Another for the claws, cartilage from the heads, and other peelings. And lastly, one for the empty crawfish heads. And the yellowish, orange stuff on the crawfish tails? Yeah, it’s kinda like Manna from Heaven. It’s where a lot of flavor resides. Don’t trash it or wipe it off! Blasphemy!
To “gut” the crawfish heads, I just use my finger to lift it out. If you’re afraid to break or crack the heads by doing so, just use a butter knife. Scrape it out and rinse the heads well. Pat them dry, and set aside.
No Waste Gang
What I love most about this dish, aside from the taste, is that nothing goes to waste. We use every part of the crawfish for something! This is my favorite way to make crawfish stock. And it’s incredibly easy! Just dump all of the crawfish peelings into a large stock pot. Then, fill it with water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer, and forget it for an hour or so. You don’t need to add anything else if you boiled the crawfish right. All of the flavor from the boil with transfer beautifully into your stock!
Peel all of the crawfish; reserve the heads, peelings, and tail meat in separate bowlsRemove all of the cartilage and claws from the heads and add it to the rest of the peelingsReserve the empty heads and the tail meat. Add the peelings and claws into a large stock pot. Pour in 10-12 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer. Simmer for about 1 hour. Skim off the foam from the top of the stock then drain the stock into a bowl. Discharge the peelings and claws. Reserve the stock.
Stuffed Up
Now, let’s discuss this divine stuffing! Grind up some of those crawfish tails for this. Traditionally, you just add the tails, breadcrumbs, some veggies, and seasoning. I did all of that AND I folded in in some lump crabmeat! Seafood overload! This is completely optional. But, I highly recommend that you try it! I use a piping bag to stuff the heads. Easy, breezy.
Preheat the oven to 350°FRinse the empty crawfish heads well; pat dry and set aside. In a food processor, finely chop the onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, and green onions. Melt the butter in a pan and sauté the veggie mix for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool at room temp. Add the 2 lbs of crawfish tails into the food processor and pulse until the tails are finely chopped. In a mixing bowl, combine the veggie/butter mix, finely chopped crawfish tails, and breadcrumbs. Mix well. Taste and add Cajun or Creole seasoning as needed. Stir in the beaten egg. Then, gently fold in the crabmeat. Add the stuffing into a piping bag and fill each empty crawfish heads with the stuffing. Place the stuffed heads on a parchment paper or aluminum foil lined baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes.
The Roux
Don’t burn it. That’s all I’ve got to say. If you use a metal whisk to whisk that flour in, you better switch it out for a wooden spoon immediately. That metal will heat up and burn the roux. Wooden utensils are safer for rouxs. The good part is that we don’t need a dark, gumbo roux. So, we won’t be stirring for too long. Just until the roux is a nice, peanut butter color. Speaking of color, some prefer a red bisque. I like mine brown. The color of a good étouffée. But, if redder is what you’re used to, just add more tomato paste than I did. You can also add tomato sauce. Just don’t tell anyone it’s my recipe if you do.
Will the Stuffing Fall Out of the Heads?
Not if you don’t stir it like a bat out of hell! Just pack it in well, bake it, and all will be well. You’ll have to take it out of the heads to eat it anyway!
Louisiana’s pot of gold! This stuff is so good! Imagine using the crawfish from a boil to make a silky, flavor packed stock. Then, add the stock to a perfect roux. Yes there’s more…just read on.
Prep Time2hours
Cook Time2hours
Total Time4hours
Servings7people
Ingredients
Stock:
4-5lbsboiled crawfish
10cupswater
Stuffed Crawfish Heads:
50-60crawfish heads
1stick salted butter
1 1/2cupbreadcrumbs
1lbpeeled crawfish tails
1onion
1bell pepper
2celery stalks
1TBSminced garlic
1/4cupchopped green onions
Cajun or Creole seasoning to taste
1beaten egg
1lblump crabmeatoptional
Bisque:
1/2cupvegetable oil
2/3cupall purpose flour
1onion
1bell pepper
2celery stalks
1TBSminced garlic
1/3cupchopped green onions
1/4cuptomato paste
8cupscrawfish stock*
1tsponion powder
1tspgarlic powder
Cajun or Creole seasoning to taste
1TBSliquid crab and shrimp boil concentrate
Remaining crawfish tails
Fresh parsley to garnish
Warmwhite rice for serving
Instructions
Stock:
Peel all of the crawfish; reserve the heads, peelings, and tail meat in separate bowls
Remove all of the cartilage and claws from the heads and add it to the rest of the peelings
Reserve the empty heads and the tail meat.
Add the peelings and claws into a large stock pot.
Pour in 10-12 cups of water.
Bring to a boil.
Lower the heat to a simmer.
Simmer for about 1 hour.
Skim off the foam from the top of the stock then drain the stock into a bowl.
Discharge the peelings and claws.
Reserve the stock.
Stuffed Crawfish Heads:
Preheat the oven to 350°F
Rinse the empty crawfish heads well; pat dry and set aside.
In a food processor, finely chop the onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, and green onions.
Melt the butter in a pan and sauté the veggie mix for 5 minutes.
Remove from the heat and allow to cool at room temp.
Add the 2 lbs of crawfish tails into the food processor and pulse until the tails are finely chopped.
In a mixing bowl, combine the veggie/butter mix, finely chopped crawfish tails, and breadcrumbs.
Mix well.
Taste and add Cajun or Creole seasoning as needed.
Stir in the beaten egg.
Then, gently fold in the crabmeat.
Add the stuffing into a piping bag and fill each empty crawfish heads with the stuffing.
Place the stuffed heads on a parchment paper or aluminum foil lined baking sheet.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Bisque:
Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, and green onions into a food processor and blend until finely chopped
Heat the oil in a dutch oven or heavy bottom stock pot.
When the oil is hot, whisk in the flour to make the roux. (Do NOT walk away! The roux will burn if the heat is too hot and you do not stir constantly.)
Continue stirring until the roux is the color of peanut butter.
Add in the finely chopped veggies.
Sauté for 5 minutes.
Stir in the tomato paste until well combined.
Pour in the reserved crawfish stock, stir, and bring to a simmer
Toss the remaining crawfish tails in the liquid crab boil
Then, add the crawfish tails into the pot.
Stir in the onion and garlic powders
Reduce the heat to LOW and simmer, uncovered for 20 mins.
Add in the baked, stuffed crawfish heads.
Continue to simmer for 10-20 more minutes.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve over warm white rice and garnish with fresh, chopped green onions.