How To Make Perfect Gumbo

andouille sausage

🥗Healthier: turkey sausage

💰Cheaper: smoked sausage

Turkey sausage lowers fat content while smoked sausage is more budget-friendly.

crab meat

🥗Healthier: imitation crab

💰Cheaper: canned tuna

Imitation crab is lower in calories and canned tuna is a cost-effective protein.

fish stock

🥗Healthier: vegetable stock

💰Cheaper: water with seasoning

Vegetable stock is lower in calories and water with seasoning is a budget alternative.

okra

🥗Healthier: zucchini

💰Cheaper: green beans

Zucchini offers similar texture and green beans are often less expensive.

Heat canola oil in a heavy bottom five quart pot over medium heat until it reaches a smoke point.

Add 3 blue crabs and cook until their shells turn bright orange.

Add shrimp shells with heads and cook until their shells turn pink.

Smash the shells to release juices, similar to mashing potatoes.

Add vegetable scraps and seasoning, cover with water, and bring to a slight boil.

Reduce to a simmer for at least 30 to 35 minutes, then strain the stock and set aside.

Make a seasoning blend with kosher salt, white pepper, black pepper, cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dry thyme, and oregano; whisk together.

In a large pot over medium high heat, add canola oil and heat until it reaches a smoke point.

Add okra and cook for a few minutes until they turn army green, then remove and drain on a paper towel.

Prepare a dark brown roux by heating oil and whisking in flour until it turns a dark cocoa brown, about 5 minutes.

Add chopped onion, green bell pepper, and celery (the holy trinity) to the roux and stir for 2-3 minutes.

Add minced garlic, bay leaves, and 2 tablespoons of the seasoning blend; stir to combine.

Gradually add the seafood stock while stirring to avoid lumps.

Add okra, smoked sausage, crabs, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce; bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for one hour, skimming off any foam that rises to the top.

After an hour, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Add shrimp and remove pot from heat; let shrimp cook in the residual heat for 10 minutes.

Serve gumbo over rice, garnished with parsley, green onions, and filet powder.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens