The Best New Orleans Style Gumbo

Experience the heart of New Orleans in every spoonful with this authentic gumbo recipe! Perfectly spiced, smoky, and rich, this New Orleans Style Gumbo is all about deep flavors and a traditional roux that brings it all together.

With ingredients like andouille sausage, shrimp, okra, and the Holy Trinity of Creole cooking (celery, bell pepper, and onion), this gumbo is a satisfying meal that’ll transport you to Louisiana. Serve it over rice and you’ve got a bowl of comfort that’s ideal for cozy dinners.

Why You Should Make This New Orleans Style Gumbo

• Authentic Cajun Flavor: This gumbo recipe combines classic Cajun ingredients, giving you that traditional New Orleans taste in every bite.
• Hearty and Filling: Loaded with sausage, chicken, shrimp, and okra, this New Orleans Style Gumbo makes a substantial meal that’s perfect over rice.
• Made for Sharing: Gumbo is a dish best enjoyed with family or friends, making it a great choice for gatherings and celebrations.
• Customizable Spice Levels: Adjust the Cajun seasoning and hot sauce to control the heat level for everyone’s tastes.
• Perfect Make-Ahead Meal: Gumbo’s flavor only gets better with time, so it’s great for meal prep or leftovers.

New Orleans Style Gumbo vs Jambalaya

Although both gumbo and jambalaya originated in New Orleans, and both typically use a combination of meat, vegetables and stock, there are differences in both preparation and serving:

Gumbo:

• A soup or stew served with rice.
• Has a thicker consistency than jambalaya.
• Begins with creating a perfect roux, followed by adding the “holy trinity” of onions, green peppers, and celery.

Jambalaya:

• A rice dish or casserole.
• Starts by cooking the meat, then adding rice and other ingredients.

Creole Gumbo vs Cajun Gumbo

Creole Gumbo generally referred to as Seafood Gumbo, contains shellfish like shrimp and/or crawfish. Cajun Gumbo is typically a combination of both shellfish and chicken. Most often, both styles of gumbo incorporate either ham or sausage. Cooking techniques are generally the same.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Main Ingredients and Possible Substitutions:

• Oil and Butter: You can use either one on its own or a combination. Substitute with other neutral oils, such as vegetable or grapeseed oil, but butter adds a rich flavor to the roux.
• Andouille Sausage: If andouille sausage isn’t available, smoked sausage or kielbasa makes a good substitute. For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Seafood Stock: Chicken stock or vegetable stock can replace seafood stock if unavailable.
• Chicken Stock: Vegetable stock works as a replacement if you want a lighter flavor, but chicken stock adds a richer taste.
• Rotisserie Chicken: Substitute with boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Season and brown them in the same pan used for the andouille sausage, then shred or chop before adding to the gumbo.
• Shrimp: Leave out, or substitute with crawfish.
• Fresh Okra: Use frozen okra if fresh isn’t available. Alternatively, leave out if you so desire.
• Gumbo File (Optional): This can be left out, but for a similar thickening effect, you could add a little extra okra or a dash of cornstarch mixed with water at the end of cooking.
• Cajun or Creole Seasoning: If you don’t have pre-made seasoning, mix a blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and oregano to create your own Cajun flavor.

What is a Roux?

A roux is a combination of flour and fat (oil and/or butter). Equal parts of each are combined and cooked together to form a thickener. Depending upon the recipe, roux can be white, blonde or brown. The darker the roux, the more intense the flavor.

How to Create a Roux for New Orleans Style Gumbo

The roux is the foundation of a traditional gumbo, giving the dish its signature depth, richness, and color. Made by slowly cooking flour and fat together, the roux thickens the gumbo and provides a nutty, complex flavor. A well-made roux can transform gumbo from an average stew to a dish with deep, authentic Creole flavor, which is why it’s essential to take your time to get it just right.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Roux:

1. Heat the Fat: In a heavy-bottomed pot, melt a stick of butter with 1/2 cup of canola oil over medium heat.
2. Add the Flour: Gradually whisk in a cup of all-purpose flour, adding a little at a time to avoid clumps.
3. Stir Constantly: Continue whisking the mixture, keeping the heat steady, to ensure the flour and fat cook evenly without burning.
4. Watch for Color Change: As you cook, the roux will change color, from pale yellow to a light brown, then a deeper brown, and finally a rich, chocolate color. This can take about 40 minutes, so be patient and don’t stop stirring.

How to Make the Best New Orleans Style Gumbo

1. Brown the Sausage: In a large pot, cook the andouille sausage over medium heat until browned. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
2. Make the Roux: Be PATIENT! The roux is the most important step to creating an incredible New Orleans Style Gumbo.
3. Cook the Vegetables: Stir in the diced green pepper, celery, onion, and okra. Let the vegetables cook in the roux for a few minutes until softened. Add in the minced garlic.
4. Add the Stock and Seasonings: Pour in the seafood stock and chicken stock, and add the Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until smooth.
5. Simmer the Gumbo: Add the bay leaves, browned sausage, and shredded chicken. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it simmer for about an hour, allowing the flavors to meld.
6. Thickening: After about 30 minutes, if the gumbo needs thickening, stir in the gumbo file and allow to continue cooking.
7. Finish with Shrimp and Parsley: After 45 minutes to an hour, remove the bay leaves and add the shrimp. Let cook just until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Stir in a tablespoon of fresh parsley.

How to Serve and Store Gumbo

• Serving: Serve gumbo over rice in deep bowls for a comforting meal. Add hot sauce or a squeeze of lemon for extra zest. Offer gumbo file to guests for thickening.
• Storing: Store leftover gumbo (separate from the rice) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat on the stove until warm.
• Freezing: This gumbo freezes well! Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, and thaw in the fridge before reheating.

More Cajun and Creole Recipes to Love

• Creamy Creole Salmon with Shrimp
• Oysters Rockefeller
• Rockefeller Style Grilled Oysters
• Jumbo Lump Crabmeat Stuffed Salmon with a Creamy Cajun Sauce
• Creole Crab Baked Oysters

Print

GET TO KNOW ME!

WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!

Our life has changed dramatically in the past few years with the passing of our two goldendoodles, Vegas and Viva. We were lucky enough to have Vegas for five years (totally wish it was longer). Most recently, losing our Viva to a brain tumor in July of 2020. We welcomed our mini goldendoodle 7, almost seven years ago. We just added the amazing Hazel! Of course, I am always posting tons and tons of photos! Be sure to check out my recipe for Pet Bone Broth! This broth is super rich in nutrients and will provide your pet with a multitude of health benefits!

In addition, I’m so very excited to announce I have published my first e-book and paperback, “Mastering Thanksgiving – A Guide to Perfecting Your Thanksgiving Dinner.” Your support would mean the world to me.

Let’s Get Social!

Be sure to follow me on social media! I’m always talking food, fashion, and family! I also love sharing some of my favorite Amazon Finds too. Click here to check out my Amazon page! Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Pinterest! Check out my LTK to find out what I’m wearing! THANK YOU!