Best Cajun Gumbo Recipes

AUTHENTIC CAJUN GUMBO

Steps:

• Place the first 11 ingredients in a stockpot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours., Remove chicken and allow to cool. Strain broth, discarding vegetables; skim fat. Remove meat from bones; cut chicken into bite-size pieces and set aside. Discard bones., In the same pan, cook and stir oil and flour over medium heat until caramel-colored, about 14 minutes (do not burn). Add finely chopped onion; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Gradually stir in broth. Bring to a boil., Carefully stir in sausage and reserved chicken. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Stir in okra and oysters. Simmer, uncovered, 10-15 minutes longer or just until okra is tender. Stir in file powder. Serve with rice.

PAUL PRUDHOMME'S CAJUN SEAFOOD GUMBO WITH ANDOUILLE

Steps:

• Combine onions, bell peppers, and celery in a medium-size bowl and set aside. In a small bowl combine next 7 ingredients for seasoning; mix well and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat until it starts to smoke, about 5 minutes.
• Gradually add the flour, whisking constantly with a metal whisk. Continue cooking and whisking until roux is dark red-brown to black, 2-4 minutes.
• Immediately add half the vegetable mirepoix and stir well, switching to a spoon if necessary, 1 minute.
• Add the remaining vegetables, continuing to stir, about 2 minutes. Add the seasoning mix and continue to cook, about 2 minutes.
• Add garlic, stirring well for another minute. Remove from heat.
• Place the stock in a 5 1/2-qt saucepan or Dutch oven and bring to boil. Add roux mixture by spoonfuls, stirring until dissolved in between each addition. Bring back to boil.
• Add andouille and return to boil again; continue boiling for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
• Add the shrimp, undrained oysters, and crab meat. Return to boil, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat, skim oil from surface, and serve over rice.

REAL CAJUN SEAFOOD GUMBO (FROM A LOUISIANIAN)

Steps:

• In a 7-quart cast iron dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat.
• Sprinkle in flour and, using a wire whisk, stir constantly until brown roux is achieved. Do not allow roux to scorch. Should black specks appear in roux, discard and begin again.
• Once roux is golden brown, add onions, celery, bell pepper and garlic. Sauté approximately 3-5 minutes or until vegetables are wilted.
• Add andouille, blend well into vegetable mixture and sauté an additional 2-3 minutes.
• Add claw crabmeat and stir into roux. This will begin to add seafood flavor to the mixture.
• Slowly add hot shellfish stock, one ladle at a time, stirring constantly until all is incorporated.
• Bring to a low boil, reduce to simmer and cook approximately 30 minutes. Add additional stock if necessary to retain volume.
• Add green onions and parsley.
• Season to taste using salt, pepper and Louisiana Gold.
• Fold shrimp, lump crab meat, oysters and reserved oyster liquid into soup.
• Return to a low boil and cook approximately 5 minutes.
• Adjust seasonings and serve over cooked rice.

CAJUN CHICKEN GUMBO

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a wide casserole or big frying pan and fry the chicken for a few mins to brown. Tip out onto a plate. Add the onion to the pan with 1 tbsp more oil and fry for 5 mins until almost softened. Add the celery and fry for another 2 mins, then tip out to join the chicken. Add the remaining oil, bay leaves and flour to the pan and cook into a paste. Carry on cooking, stirring constantly (with a splash of water if you need), until golden brown, then stir in the spices for 2 mins.
• Gradually stir in the stock until smooth and saucy. Return the chicken and veg to the pan, along with the peppers, cover and simmer gently for 15 mins. Stir in the ham, cover and simmer gently for 10 mins more. Check for seasoning, then serve, sprinkled with the spring onions mixed with the chopped parsley.

CAJUN GUMBO

Steps:

• Boil chicken pieces in 1 gallon of lightly salted water for approximately 1 hour, or until done. Reserve the chicken broth for the base of the gumbo.
• Wash okra and dry with a paper towel. Cut off the ends of the okra and slice into round pieces. Saute the pieces in a skillet with 1/2-cup of the butter until all of the slime has left the okra. This takes 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. You must stir the okra throughout this process to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Saute the onion, green pepper, and celery in remaining 1/2-cup butter until lightly browned. Place the cooked okra and onion mixture into the chicken broth. Add the basil, thyme, bay leaves, and garlic to the broth. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 15 minutes.
• Remove skin and bones from chicken, and cut into bite sized pieces, and set aside. Add the chicken, sausage, and ham to the broth at the same time. Return mixture to a boil. Add the shrimp and crabmeat, and cook for another 5 minutes. Season with file, black pepper, and hot pepper, to taste.
• Serve with rice.

REAL CAJUN GUMBO (FROM A LOUISIANAIAN)

Steps:

• Using a sharp boning knife cut the stewing hen into 8-10 serving pieces.
• Remove as much of the fat from the chicken as possible.
• Cut andouille into ½-inch slices and set aside.
• In a 2-gallon stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat.
• Whisk in flour, stirring constantly until golden brown roux is achieved. Do not scorch. Should black specks appear, discard and begin again.
• Add onions, celery, bell pepper and garlic. Sauté 3-5 minutes or until vegetables are wilted.
• Blend in chicken and andouille. Sauté approximately 15 minutes.
• Add chicken stock, one ladle at a time, stirring constantly until all is incorporated.
• Bring to a rolling boil, reduce to simmer and cook approximately 1 hour.
• Skim any fat or oil that rises to the top of the pot.
• Add green onions, bay leaf, thyme and basil.
• Season to taste using salt, pepper and hot sauce.
• Cook an additional 30 minutes or longer if necessary, until chicken is tender and falling apart.
• Add parsley and adjust seasonings if necessary.
• Serve over hot, steamed white rice.
• NOTE: You may wish to boil the chicken 1-2 hours prior to beginning the gumbo to tenderize the meat. Reserve this stock, bone the chicken and use the meat and stock in the gumbo.

AUTHENTIC CAJUN TURKEY GUMBO

Steps:

• Crack the turkey carcass into several pieces.
• Place the turkey carcass and legs into a large soup kettle with 3 qts of water and 1 tsp salt.
• Boil for one hour.
• Remove the carcass and legs and cool.
• Remove the meat from the bones and discard the bones.
• Reserve the stock and the meat.
• In a heavy Dutch pven over medium heat, heat the grease and the oil.
• Add the flour, stirring constantly, and cook until it turns a deep, mahogany brown.
• Add the celery, onion, bell pepper, garlic, and parsley.
• Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Add the okra and sausage and continue cooking for 5 minutes.
• Add 2 qts of water, 2 qts turkey stock Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, tomatoes, salt, bacon, bay leaves, and cayenne.
• Simmer, covered, for 2.5-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Add the turkey meat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Just before serving, add the brown sugar and lemon juice.

CAJUN CHICKEN GUMBO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat a heavy skillet or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Drizzle with 1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add onions, celery, and bell pepper; sauté until the onions are transparent. Add the carrot, celery sea salt, black pepper, sage, and thyme; sauté 3 minutes. Remove the vegetable from the pan and set aside. Reheat the skillet over medium high heat. Drizzle with 1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the cut up chicken and season to taste with salt & pepper. Sauté until the chicken is just golden in color. Remove from heat and add cooked vegetables to the pan and season with chicken seasoning and Cajun seasoning; toss to blend. Meanwhile, in a 2 quart pot, bring the chicken stock to a boil. Add the orzo. If the chicken stock is bland, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon sea salt to taste. Bring back to a boil and cook, uncovered for 8 - 10 minutes or until just tender. Turn down the heat to low and add the cooked chicken/vegetable mixture to the cooked orzo. Add the Okra and heat gently. Adjust seasonings, if necessary and serve. Cook's Notes Avoid slimy okra by never allowing it to boil! Thaw okra in warm water. Drain well before adding to soup. I like to make this a savory dish, rather that a hot and spicy one. Because the orzo will continue to absorb liquid, this soup is best served at once. To prepare in advance, simply cook the chicken and vegetables as directed, cool, and store in refrigerator. About 25 minutes before serving, prepare the orzo in the stock as directed, turn down the heat to low, add the chicken/vegetable mixture and thoroughly heat through. Add the thawed and drained okra and heat a few more minutes. If leftovers are too thick, simply stir in a little chicken stock. Adjust seasonings as necessary. For a thicker soup, simply allow the orzo to absorb more liquid.

CAJUN CHICKEN AND SAUSAGE GUMBO

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. When hot, whisk in flour. Continue whisking until the roux has cooked to the color of chocolate milk, 8 to 10 minutes. Be careful not to burn the roux. If you see black specks in the mixture, start over.
• Stir onion, bell pepper, celery, and sausage into the roux; cook 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook another 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Creole seasoning; blend thoroughly. Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaf. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Stir in the chicken, and simmer 1 hour more. Skim off any foam that floats to the top during the last hour.

CHICKEN & SAUSAGE CAJUN GUMBO

Steps:

• 1. To Make Roux: In a microwave proof bowl combine cooking oil and flour to make a paste. Microwave for 5 minutes and stir. Do this 3 or 4 times until mixture is the color of dark chocolate (do not burn or it will be bitter) Set aside while you are making the gumbo
• 2. In a large stock pot add onions, bell pepper, celery, garlic and parsley. Stir in 1 gallon of water and bring to a boil.
• 3. Stir in roux mixture until it is dissolved. Add tomato sauce, salt, black pepper and red pepper. Drop in okra (optional), sausage and chicken and bring to a boil. Simmer on medium until chicken is thoroughly cooked, about 40 minutes. When gumbo is cooked, turn off the burner and add Gumbo File', this will add flavor and thicken the gumbo.
• 4. Serve over cooked white rice.

HEART HEALTHY SHRIMP GUMBO WITH CAJUN SPICE MIX

Steps:

• Thaw shrimp, if frozen.
• Peel and devein shrimp, leaving tails intact if desired.
• Rinse shrimp; pat dry with paper towels.
• In a medium skillet, cook flour over medium heat about 6 minutes or until brown, stirring often.
• Transfer to a medium bowl; set aside.
• In a 4-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat.
• Add onion, sweet pepper, celery, and garlic; cook and stir about 5 minutes or until tender.
• Slowly whisk broth into browned flour.
• Add broth mixture, water, and Cajun Spice Mix to Dutch oven.
• Stir in okra.
• Bring to boiling; reduce heat.
• Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add shrimp; cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until shrimp is pink.
• To Serve:.
• spoon gumbo into 8 bowls. Top each serving with rice, a shrimp, and a green onion, if desired.
• If desired, pass hot pepper sauce. Makes 8 (1-1/4 cups gumbo plus 1/3 cup rice) servings.
• Cajun Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed; 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper.

CAJUN-STYLE CHICKEN AND SMOKED SAUSAGE GUMBO

Steps:

• Place the skinned chicken pieces in a large heavy pot (or Dutch oven) add in water chicken broth, bay leaves and whole garlic cloves; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for about 40 minutes or until the chicken is just tender (do not overcook the chicken or it will become tough and stringy!).
• Remove the chicken from the broth (RESERVE 16 cups (1 gallon) water/broth mixture; drain the 16 cups broth through a wire mesh strainer, then place back into the pot.
• Chop the chicken into large pieces; set aside (you will add in the chicken later).
• To the 16 cups broth/water mixture, add in browned sausage meat, onions, green bell pepper, jalapeno pepper/s, celery and OXO beef powder, simmer stirring about 45 minutes.
• Heat oil in a large skillet; add in flour and cook whisking constantly until the flour is a dark brown caramel colour (about 15-20 minutes).
• Add in the sausage/broth mixture with Creole seasoning and simmer stirring occasionally for about 40 minutes.
• After 40 minutes cooking add in chicken and black beans (if using) simmer uncovered over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally for another 40-50 minutes.
• Skim off the fat that has accumulated on the top.
• Add in green onions and parsley; simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add in file powder and season with salt and pepper; stir to combine.
• Serve gumbo over hot cook rice.

CAJUN GUMBO'D OKRA

Steps:

• 1. Combine butter and flour in the bottom of a soup pot. Stir until well combined to make a roux.
• 2. Add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil. Then cover and lower heat to low.
• 3. Continue to cook for 20-30 minutes. Stirring occasionally.

CAJUN CHICKEN SAUSAGE SHRIMP & CRAB GUMBO

Steps:

• 1. 1: Warm up a large gumbo pot over medium heat, then reduce to low heat. 2: In a cast iron skillet, saute' smoked sausage in half of the cooking oil over medium high heat until sausage begins to brown (about 4 to 5 minutes). 3: Transfer sausage to the gumbo pot. 4: Saute' andouille in the skillet over medium high heat until slightly browned. 5: Transfer andouille to gumbo pot. 6: Saute' chopped onions, celery, and bell pepper in butter in the skillet for 8 to 10 minutes. 7: Add all seasonings and bouillon granules to skillet and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. 8: Transfer vegetable and seasoning mixture to gumbo pot. 9: Saute' chicken, half a batch at a time, in remaining cooking oil until slightly browned. 10: Transfer chicken to gumbo pot. 11: Add hot pepper sauce, chicken broth, and water to gumbo pot and bring to a boil over medium high heat. 12: Crumble in dark roux. 13: Bring to a boil again, then reduce heat, and cook gumbo on a low boil for 60 minutes. 14: Reduce heat to a low simmer for 10 minutes. 15: Add shrimp and crabs or lump crab meat and simmer an additional 10 minutes 16: Garnish with green onions and serve with potato salad.

REAL CAJUN CHICKEN AND SAUSAGE GUMBO

Steps:

• Mix 1/4 cup of flour with the seasonings and toss the chicken in the mixture until well coated.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet and sauté the chicken over medium-high until browned. I usually do this in batches draining the cooked chicken on paper towels. If the flour in the pan starts to really burn and smoke, turn down the heat or, discard and start with fresh oil. However, I usually can get it all done with one batch.
• Once the chicken is done, combine 1 cup of flour and lard over medium-high heat to make a dark, dark, roux. Stir constantly while it cooks. It should look like burnt peanut butter, this is tricky because the darker the better. But if you go too far and scorch it, it's over.
• When the roux has reached the right color remove from heat and add the chopped vegetables. Stir to remove some heat from the roux.
• Return the roux to the stove over medium-high heat and add the stock, stirring until well blended.
• Bring this mixture to a boil, and add the chicken, sausage, and garlic. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
• Taste and adjust salt, and cayenne pepper (although it's usually plenty hot, it's a personal preference).
• Serve over hot cooked rice.

CAJUN-STYLE CHICKEN GUMBO

Steps:

• Cut chicken into 1 inch pieces; place in medium bowl.
• Sprinkle with seasoning and thyme; toss well.
• Set aside.
• Heat oil in large sauce pan over medium-high heat.
• Add onion, bell pepper, carrots, celery and garlic to saucepan; cover and cook 10 minutes or until vegetable are crisp-tender, stirring once.
• Add chicken; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle mixture with flour, cook 1 minute, stirring frequently.
• Add chicken broth, tomatoes and pepper sauce; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center, vegetables are tender and sauces is slightly thickened.
• Ladle gumbo into 4 shallow bowls, top each with a scoop of rice sprinkle with parsley and serve with additional pepper sauce, if desired.

CAJUN CHICKEN & SAUSAGE GUMBO

Steps:

• 1. To a 10-12 quart pot, add water and chicken broth. Bring to a boil. In the meantime, prepare the vegetables, meat, and cook the roux. (It is much easier to achieve this faster if working with a partner. Huey gets the water going and chops the veggies, while I cook the roux!!)
• 2. Prepare the vegetables. Remove the outer skins of 2 yellow onions, rinse, core and remove seeds of 1 bell pepper, rinse 4 stalks of celery, slice into chunks and place in food processor and chop very fine. Set aside.
• 3. If the hen is already cut into pieces, simple rinse to remove bone fragments and debris. (For this recipe, I used half of a 12 lb hen.) Be sure to use all of the bones to ensure getting maximum flavor!!!)
• 4. I like to cut the breast meat into cubes prior to cooking, so that as soon as the gumbo is cooked, I can enjoy it immediately ... free of bones. Set hen pieces aside.
• 5. We prefer using fresh pork sausage for this gumbo to achieve just the perfect balance of flavors. You should be able to taste the sausage and the chicken, without one flavor over-powering the other!!! If you have a very keen palate, you can probably taste the other ingredients, as well.
• 6. Often, I remove the casings by making a slice down the sausage and it comes off easily, or just remove after it's sliced .... and sometimes, I just leave it on!!!
• 7. Slice frozen sausage into 1/2 inch pieces. (It is much easier to slice the sausage if at least partially frozen.) Set aside.
• 8. ROUX DIRECTIONS: In a large skillet (black iron, preferred), add 2 cups each of all purpose flour and vegetable oil. (If you are experienced in making roux, you can reduce the oil to 1 1/2 cups to 1 3/4 cups, however, it is a little harder to get the roux dark enough without burning. The additional oil makes the mixture thinner, and therefore, easier to manage.)
• 9. Cook on HIGH fire, STIRRING CONSTANTLY (with a long handled metal or wooden spoon, one that is blunt on the end works best), until it reaches a medium brown (peanut butter) color.
• 10. Reduce the heat to MEDIUM and continue cooking and STIRRING until it reaches a dark brown.
• 11. Reduce the heat to MEDIUM LOW, or LOW, and continue STIRRING CONSTANTLY until it reaches an almost black color, but not burned. At this point, the oil will begin to separate and will create a glossy appearance. Turn fire off.
• 12. Immediately, add roux to boiling water, one spoonful at a time, stirring and scraping bottom of pot to prevent sticking and burning, after each addition. Use ALL of the roux!!! Reduce fire, as this can QUICKLY boil over!!!
• 13. Add bay leaves and garlic. Cover with lid, leaving a slight opening. Bring to a boil. Keep a CLOSE eye on it, because, once it starts to boil, the liquid climbs quickly, and the pot will boil over!!!! If this happens, turn fire off, and remove the lid, briefly, then return heat to medium-low or low to maintain a low boil.
• 14. Add chopped celery, bell pepper, and onions. Bring back to a rolling boil. DO NOT TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE POT FOR MORE THAN 15 SECONDS!!!!!! Once boiling, reduce heat to a low boil. When the FOAMING STOPS, stir in Tony's Seasoning and Accent. Bring back to a low boil. (Accent blends and enhances the flavors and makes today's gumbo taste like tomorrow's gumbo .... rich and full of flavor!!!
• 15. Add hen pieces and sliced sausage. Return mixture to a boil, lower heat to medium or low (very low boil), and cook mixture 1 1/2 hours, covered.
• 16. Remove oil from the surface of the gumbo and discard. (You may have to do this 2 or three times). Taste test, and add additional seasonings, if needed, or if it has cooked down too much and the mixture begins to thicken, add additional HOT water.)
• 17. Prior to serving, add 1 bundle of finely sliced green onion tops and dried parsley flakes. Simmer for 15 minutes.
• 18. You can actually serve after 1 1/2 hours. If you are not in a hurry to eat, remove the bone-in chicken pieces, allow to cool slightly, de-bone, slice into bite-size pieces, and return to the pot. The gumbo can be simmered up to 3 hours, but you may need to add additional HOT water to thin the mixture. Remove bay leaves prior to serving.
• 19. Serve with short-grain rice, as it absorbs the liquid better than long grain rice, (I use Mahatma) and Garlic Parsley Croutons, and a plain mustard potato salad. (Since the gumbo is soo flavorful, the plain potato salad compliments the flavors without competing!!) These foods can be prepared while the gumbo is cooking. I will be posting these recipes, also. Bon Apetite!!!!!!

CAJUN VEGETABLE GUMBO

Steps:

• Place the greens in a large soup pot with enough water to just cover the greens. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes. Drain, reserving 2 cups of the cooking water.
• On a cutting board, coarsely chop the greens and set aside.
• In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk 1/4 cup oil and the flour together and cook, stirring constantly, until the roux is a dark reddish-brown, about 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
• In the large soup pot, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and sauté the onions, bell pepper, celery, and tomatoes for about 10 minutes or until the vegetables are wilted.
• Add the hot sauce, bay leaves, file powder, cayenne, thyme, oregano, basil, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the roux, vegetable or faux chicken broth, and the reserved greens-cooking water, stirring well to blend in the roux.
• Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Add the cooked collard greens, okra, kidney beans, and rice and cook for 5 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaves and serve warm.

CAJUN CHICKEN AND SAUSAGE GUMBO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the vegetable oil and flour into a 5 to 6-quart cast iron Dutch oven and whisk together to combine.
• Place on the middle shelf of the oven, uncovered, and bake for 1 1/2 hours, whisking 2 to 3 times throughout the cooking process.
• While roux is baking: Slice then brown the sausage; Brown then cube the chicken (I brown the chicken in the sausage drippings); and Dice the vegetables.
• Once the roux is done, carefully remove it from the oven and set over medium-high heat.
• Gently add the onions, celery, green peppers and garlic and cook, moving constantly for 7 to 8 minutes or until the onions begin to turn translucent.
• Add salt, black pepper, thyme, cayenne pepper, dripping from the skillet and stir to combine then add the bay leaves.
• Gradually add the broth while whisking continually.
• Decrease the heat to low, cover and cook for 35 minutes.
• Turn off the heat, add the chicken and sausage and stir to combine.
• Add the file powder while stirring constantly.
• Cover and allow to sit for 10 minutes prior to serving.
• Serve over rice.

CAJUN CHICKEN AND SAUSAGE GUMBO

Steps:

• Brown chicken thighs and sausage in a cast iron dutch oven. If you don't have a cast iron dutch oven, just be sure to use a heavy pot, such as a Magnalite or something similar. Remove from pot and let cool.
• Add oil to the pot. With wire whisk, blend in flour. Continue stirring constantly over medium to medium-high heat until flour is the color of chocolate syrup. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CONSTANTLY STIR THIS! If the roux burns, there's no fixing it. You'll have to start over, completely. This step will take a while to achieve the chocolate color and is the most time-consuming part of the recipe. Once the flour has browned to this point, quickly add onions, bell pepper, and celery. Cook until onions are transparent. Add enough water or chicken broth to fill the pot about half way. Simmer.
• Meanwhile, debone chicken. Add sausage to the pot.
• Add minced garlic, salt, and cayenne.
• Let simmer for about an hour. In the last 20 minutes, add deboned chicken. If needed, add enough water or broth to cover the chicken.
• With a large spoon, skim as much fat as possible from the top.
• Serve in a soup plate, over hot cooked rice.
• Sprinkle green onions, parsley, and file in the bowls.
• MMMMMMMMMM -- good stuff!