Crawfish Etouffée
Peer reviewed by UK recipe editorsAuthored by UK recipe editorsOriginally published 16 Jan 2026
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This classic crawfish etouffée brings the rich, savoury flavours of Louisiana to your kitchen in a lighter, diabetes-friendly format. By using a simple cornflour slurry rather than a traditional heavy roux, this dish achieves a beautifully thick and glossy sauce while remaining mindful of nutritional balance. The combination of the 'holy trinity'—onions, peppers and celery—provides a fragrant, aromatic base that perfectly complements the delicate sweetness of the tender crawfish tails.
Ideal for a comforting mid-week supper or a relaxed weekend dinner with guests, this seafood dish is both nutritious and deeply satisfying. Serve it over a small portion of steamed basmati or brown rice to soak up the spiced gravy. Bursting with fresh parsley and spring onions, it offers a vibrant, homemade alternative to heavier stews, proving that heart-healthy cooking never needs to compromise on authentic flavour.
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Ingredients for Crawfish Etouffée
900g peeled crawfish tails
1 stick (8 tablespoons ) butter
450g chopped onions
100g chopped green peppers
120ml chopped celery
1 tablespoon cornflour
240ml water
Salt and cayenne pepper, to taste
50g chopped spring onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
How to make Crawfish Etouffée
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, peppers, and celery and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are soft and golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the crawfish tails and cook, stirring occasionally, until they throw off some of their liquid, 6 to 8 minutes.
Dissolve the cornflour in the water and add to the crawfish mixture. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens, 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and cayenne.
Serve immediately over steamed rice. Garnish with a sprinkling of spring onions and parsley.
Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.
Article history
The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.
16 Jan 2026 | Originally published
Authored by:
UK recipe editors
Peer reviewed by
UK recipe editors

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