Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo

Prep: 30 mins

Cook: 100 mins

Total: 2 hrs 10 mins

Servings: 6 servings

Gumbo is a New Orleans classic and a favorite of anyone who enjoys Creole and Cajun cuisine. The thick, flavorful stew is made using a base of the “holy trinity,” onion, celery, and bell pepper, and roux, a cooked flour and fat mixture. Roux is made by cooking flour and butter or oil until the paste turns your desired shade of brown. Gumbo is often made using a relatively dark roux for deeper flavor.

There are a number of regional variations, all hotly debated among Cajun and Creole loyalists. Some gumbo recipes calling for chicken, sausage, and/or shellfish, some calling for tomatoes (and others strictly prohibit them), and some including okra and/or file powder.

This fabulous Creole-style shrimp gumbo is flavored with spicy andouille sausage, tomatoes, and topped with plump shrimp. Serve the classic gumbo with hot boiled rice and a garnish of green onions or parsley.

“I love this gumbo. It’s warm and comforting with all the right kinds of spice.” —Renae Wilson

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Ingredients

• 1 pound andouille sausage, or another smoked sausage, sliced

• 1/2 cup plus 5 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided

• 6 cups chicken broth

• 2 (14 1/2-ounce) cans diced tomatoes

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1 cup chopped celery

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• 1 yellow bell pepper, or green bell pepper, chopped

• 1 1/2 cups sliced okra, fresh or frozen and thawed

• 1 teaspoon Creole or Cajun seasoning

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 to 1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

• Salt, to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 1 teaspoon file powder, optional

• 2 cups cooked rice, hot, for serving

• Fresh parsley, or green onion tops, chopped. optional

Steps to Make It

1. Gather the ingredients.

   

2. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the sliced sausage in 2 to 3 teaspoons of vegetable oil; remove the sausage to a plate and set aside.

   

3. In a large stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the chicken broth and tomatoes. Place the pot over medium heat to bring to a simmer. 

   

4. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, combine the 1/2 cup of oil and the flour. Cook, whisking constantly, until the roux is medium to deep brown. This will take about 10 to 20 minutes. Keep stirring to keep the mixture from burning.

   

5. To the skillet with the roux, add the chopped onion, celery, and bell peppers. Cook, stirring constantly with a spoon, until the vegetables are softened.

   

6. Stir the vegetable and roux mixture into the simmering tomato and broth mixture.

   

7. Put the skillet back over medium heat and add 2 more teaspoons of oil. Add the okra and cook, stirring, until lightly browned and not stringy or sticky.

   

8. Transfer the cooked okra to the simmering pot along with the Creole or Cajun seasoning, bay leaf, and cooked sausage. Cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.

   

9. Add the prepared shrimp and cook for about 5 minutes longer, until the shrimp is cooked through.

   

10. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed. If desired, add file powder or serve on the side.

    

11. Serve the gumbo over a mound of hot boiled long-grain white rice. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or green onions.

    

Tips

Recipe Variations

• Chicken or crabmeat can be added in place of the shrimp. Simmer just until cooked through.
• If you don’t include the okra in this recipe then you’ll want to include the filé to make sure the gumbo thickens up enough. Otherwise, the stew may be a bit soupy.
• If you like your gumbo without tomatoes, omit them and add a little more chicken broth.

How to Store

• Gumbo makes delicious leftovers. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat any leftovers over medium-low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring often.
• If you're concerned about fat content, prepare the gumbo a little in advance, refrigerate, and then skim excess fat off the top of the cooled soup.

What’s the Difference Between Gumbo and Jambalaya?

While gumbo and jambalaya are both classic Cajun and Creole dishes with similar flavors and ingredients, there is a major difference. Gumbo is a thick stew that is served over rice, while jambalaya is a rice-based dish that cooks the ingredients along with the rice.

Do Tomatoes Belong in Gumbo?

It depends on who you ask. Creole cuisine more commonly uses tomatoes while Cajun food does not. If you’re making a Cajun-style gumbo then leave out the tomatoes. Ultimately, whether you decide to include tomatoes or not is a matter of personal taste.