How to Make a Delicious Shrimp Sauce at Home

The secret to cooking shrimp is using high heat, quickly searing them on each side, and removing them from the heat. Like all shellfish, shrimp are highly vulnerable to over-cooking, which imparts them with a rubbery texture.

Add the shrimp shells to the liquid as you reduce it for an added flavor boost, and then strain them out at the end. This shrimp sauce is based on a fish Velouté base sauce, which you can read about and learn how to make by following the link.

Veloute Sauce

Velouté sauce is one of the five mother sauces in classical French cuisine, alongside béchamel, espagnole, hollandaise, and tomato sauce. Known for its smooth texture and rich flavor, velouté sauce is a versatile base that can be used in various dishes. The name "velouté" is derived from the French word for "velvety," which aptly describes its luxurious consistency.

This versatile sauce is commonly used as a base for soups, stews, and sauces, and it can also be served as a standalone sauce to accompany roasted meats, poultry, or vegetables. Whether used as a foundational element or a finishing touch, velouté sauce adds depth, richness, and a velvety texture to a wide array of culinary creations, making it a staple in professional kitchens and home cooking.

I've searched for commercial sources for Velouté sauce and found many commercial fish stock available, but none was Velouté sauce. I'll keep looking, but if you have a source, please share it below in the Comments section.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper, scientifically known as Capsicum annuum, is a popular chili pepper renowned for its spicy flavor and vibrant red color. Named after the city of Cayenne in French Guiana, cayenne pepper is widely used in cuisines worldwide and is prized for its versatility and culinary benefits.

The heat of cayenne pepper comes from a compound called capsaicin, which is found in the seeds and white membranes of the pepper. Capsaicin is responsible for the burning sensation experienced when consuming spicy foods and has been associated with various health benefits, including pain relief, improved metabolism, and enhanced cardiovascular health.

In culinary traditions worldwide, cayenne pepper plays a central role in dishes ranging from Mexican salsas and Indian curries to Southeast Asian stir-fries and Caribbean jerk marinades. Its bold flavor and fiery heat make it a beloved and indispensable ingredient in kitchens worldwide. It is cherished for its ability to add excitement and depth to a wide range of culinary creations.

Check out my post How Do I Know When Shrimp Are Perfectly Cooked & Ready to Eat?

📖 Recipe

Print Recipe

Shrimp Sauce Recipe

Learn how to prepare a sauce for all your favorite shrimp dishes.

Prep Time5

Cook Time15

Total Time20

Course: Sauces

Cuisine: American

Keyword: sauce

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

1½ tablespoons butter
4 medium shrimp cleaned and diced
1½ cups fish Veloute sauce
¼ cup heavy cream
½ cup fish stock
salt and pepper to taste
cayenne pepper to taste

Instructions

In a medium-sized saucepan, heat the butter and quickly sauté the shrimp. Remove the shrimp and reserve.
Add the fish Velouté, heavy cream, and fish stock.
Reduce the sauce to the desired thickness, being sure to stir consistently.
Return the shrimp to the sauce.
Season with salt and peppers, and serve.