Best Okra Gumbo Recipes

CHICKEN AND OKRA GUMBO

Steps:

• Place chicken and water in a large kettle. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-45 minutes or until chicken is tender. , Remove chicken; reserve broth. Set chicken aside until cool enough to handle. Remove chicken from bones; discard bones and cut into meat into cubes; set aside. , In a soup kettle, combine oil or drippings and flour until smooth. Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium. Cook and stir about 5 minutes more or until mixture is reddish-brown (the color of a penny). Turn the heat to high. Stir in 2 cups reserved broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Add the onions, celery, green pepper and garlic; cook and stir for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, okra, bay leaves, basil, salt, pepper and pepper sauce. Cover and simmer for 1 hour. Add chicken; heat through., Discard bay leaves. Garnish with green onions and parsley. Serve with rice.

SHRIMP GUMBO WITH OKRA

Steps:

• Peel shrimp and toss shells with 1/2 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Place seasoned shells into a pot with water, 1 tablespoon diced onion, and 1 tablespoon diced bell pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cover. Let cook for at least 2 hours; the longer it cooks, the more flavor will be in your stock.
• Meanwhile, devein shrimp by gently running a knife along the back; this will also make your shrimp plump nicely when cooking. Toss shrimp in remaining Cajun seasoning and place in the refrigerator.
• Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add flour slowly, stirring constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon. When all flour is added, continue stirring frequently until roux turns brown in color and has a nutty aroma, about 5 minutes. Add remaining onion and bell pepper; saute with roux until onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in tomato paste.
• Stir in tomatoes, okra, and shrimp stock slowly. Add crab boil seasoning. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer and let cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Stir in shrimp and continue cooking until shrimp are bright pink but not tough, about 20 minutes.

SHRIMP, OKRA AND ANDOUILLE SMOKED SAUSAGE GUMBO

Steps:

• In a 5 1/2 quart saucepan, heat the oil until hot. Add 6 cups of the okra. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1 teaspoon of the white pepper, 1 teaspoon of the red pepper and the black pepper and stir well. Cook until well browned. (about 10 minutes), stirring frequently. Stir in the onions; cook for 5 minutes, stirring often and scraping pan bottom as needed. Add 1 cup of the stock (or water) and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the tomatoes and cook for 8 more minutes, stirring frequently. Add another 2 cups stock ( or water) cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon white pepper, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper and the salt, garlic, onion powder and thyme. Add the butter and continue cooking over high heat, stirring until butter is melted and scraping the bottom well.
• Add the remaining 7 cups of stock, stirring well. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Add the andouille sausage and return to a boil; reduce heat and simmer about 45 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Add the remaining 2 1/2 cups okra; simmer 10 minutes. Then add the shrimp and green onions. Return gumbo to a boil, then remove from heat. Skim any oil from the surface and serve immediately.
• To serve, place a mounded 1/4 cup rice in the center of each serving bowl; spoon 1 1/2 cups gumbo around the rice. Serve half that amount for appetizer.

ROUX-BASED AUTHENTIC SEAFOOD GUMBO WITH OKRA

Steps:

• Put flour into a Dutch oven or large heavy pot and add flour. Turn heat to medium-high, put the pot on the burner, and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thick and bubbly, has a 'peanutty' smell, and is dark brown, about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool and thicken.
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir celery, green onions, and bell pepper in hot butter until tender, about 10 minutes; add to pot with the roux.
• Stir water, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt, hot pepper sauce, and thyme into the vegetable mixture. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 1 hour.
• Stir okra into the vegetable mixture and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Add catfish, stir gently, and cook until the flesh is easily flaked with a fork, about 5 minutes. Gently stir shrimp into the mixture; cook until the shrimp are bright pink, about 3 minutes. Season with the file powder and salt; stir.

CRAB AND SHRIMP GUMBO WITH OKRA

Steps:

• Heat 1/2 cup oil in a large stockpot over medium-low heat until a pinch of flour sprinkled into the oil just begins to bubble. Whisk in the flour to form a thick paste the consistency of cake frosting. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the flour is very dark brown and the color of melted chocolate, about 45 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and add okra, onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, until onions are translucent and veggies are cooked, 6 to 8 minutes. Add diced tomatoes, cover, and bring to a simmer.
• Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add okra and cook, stirring constantly, until tender and no longer stringy or slimy, about 10 minutes. Add to simmering roux mixture and simmer over low heat, stirring frequently, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Add 6 cups water plus file powder, Creole seasoning, salt, pepper, cayenne, and bay leaves. Cook, uncovered, tasting a few times as it cooks to adjust spices and adding more water if necessary, until gumbo is as thick as you would like, at least 2 to 3 hours. The longer it cooks, the better.
• Stir in shrimp and crabmeat; cook for 15 more minutes. Ladle gumbo over hot rice in serving bowls.

BEST CREOLE SHRIMP AND OKRA GUMBO

Steps:

• Slowly stir the flour into heated oil in a heavy cast iron skillet. Continue to stir until the flour is dark brown. Add the next 4 ingredients; stir until onions are clear. Add tomato paste and a cup of water. Add okra and tomatoes. Cook slowly, adding all the water and shrimp stock -a little at a time. Stir in sugar & creole seasoning. Cook for about an hour on a low fire, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking to the bottom of pot; adding water if necessary.
• Add the shrimp ,sausage, parsley and the bay leaves. Cook another 30 minutes to an hour, adding seasoning to taste. Serve over boiled or steamed rice.

SEAFOOD OKRA GUMBO

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over high heat, add onions, celery and bell peppers, and saute 1 minute. Season with salt and 4 turns of pepper and saute 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, garlic, and shallots, and saute, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes more.
• Stir in stock, then add fish, Worcestershire, hot sauce, bay leaves, basil, oregano and thyme, and bring to a boil. Cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium.
• Stir in shrimp, okra and Creole seasoning, and simmer 10 minutes. Fold in oysters and crabmeat and simmer 5 minutes more. Skim the impurities from the top of the gumbo, turn the heat to high and boil vigorously 5 minutes. Slowly sprinkle in the file, stirring to incorporate thoroughly, and cook, stirring, 2 minutes more.
• To serve, ladle gumbo into bowls or soup plates, add rice and sprinkle with green onions.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William Morrow, 1993.

SHELLFISH AND ANDOUILLE GUMBO WITH SHRIMP, SCALLOPS, CLAMS AND OYSTERS WITH CRISPY OKRA

Steps:

• For the gumbo base: Heat a medium skillet over high heat. Add the andouille and cook until golden brown on both sides. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels. Do not drain. In the same pan, cook the celery, carrots, onion, bell pepper and garlic until soft.
• Melt the butter over medium heat in a large Dutch oven. Gradually add the flour, stirring occasionally. Cook the mixture (roux) until it's a light-caramel color, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add the onion mixture and cook for about 3 minutes, without stirring.
• Bring the stock to a boil in a large saucepan. Whisk in about 6 cups of the stock into the roux mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, add the andouille sausage and continue simmering for about 20 minutes, add more stock if the mixture is too thick. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• For the seafood: Heat 2 tablespoon of the oil in a large saute pan, over high heat until almost smoking. Season the scallops with salt and pepper and sear the scallops, on one side, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove and set aside on a plate.
• Wipe out the skillet and add the remaining olive oil. Heat over medium-high until almost smoking. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper and cook until just pink, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove and set aside with the scallops.
• Add the scallops, shrimp, oysters and crab to the sauce and continue cooking until oysters are plump and cooked.
• For the Crispy Okra: Heat 2-inches of canola oil in a high sided saute pan over medium heat until it begins to shimmer. Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
• Place the cornmeal in a shallow baking dish and season with salt and pepper.
• Season the okra with salt and pepper and toss in the cornmeal. Fry the okra, in batches, until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon to the baking sheet and season with salt.
• Divide the seafood among 4 shallow bowls, ladle in some of the sauce and sausage and add the honey and garnish with the fried okra and chopped parsley and cilantro.
• In a large saucepan over high heat, heat the oil until amost smoking and saute the shrimp shells and tails, onion, carrot and celery for 5 minutes, stirring. Add the water, wine, tomato and bay leaf. Reduce to medium, partly cover, and simmer 40 minutes.
• Strain though cheesecloth or a fine strainer.

OKRA AND TOMATOES (A.K.A. OKRA GUMBO)

Steps:

• Fry bacon in a large skillet that can be covered, until crisp. Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels. Saute onion in bacon drippings until tender. Add okra and tomatoes, stir to blend. Cover, reduce to low heat. Cook for about an hour, or until okra is tender, stirring occasionally. Do not stir too much or too briskly, because the okra will fall apart. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• **Note: Nanny diced the bacon and fried it and the onion together. My family doesn't like the bacon cooked into it because the bacon becomes soft. If you do it my way, you can sprinkle the bacon on right before serving.

CREOLE CHICKEN AND OKRA GUMBO

Steps:

• Stir vegetable oil and flour in large saucepan over high heat until smooth and dark brown, about 3 minutes. Mix in okra, then chicken broth and tomatoes with their juices; simmer 3 minutes. Sprinkle chicken with thyme, salt and pepper. Add to saucepan. Simmer gumbo uncovered until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Season gumbo to taste with hot pepper sauce , salt and pepper and serve.

SOUTH LOUISIANA CHICKEN AND SAUSAGE GUMBO (NO OKRA!)

Steps:

• For the Roux.
• Heat bacon grease in large skillet.
• Add flour when melted.
• The mixture should be liquidy, If not add a bit more bacon grease.
• Stir mixture constantly over a med-high heat, be careful not to scorch.
• Stir until the mixture is the color of peanut butter.
• For Gumbo.
• Add chopped vegetables to roux in skillet, stir and allow to cook until onions are clear.
• Meanwhile in a large sauce pan, warm 3 cans of broth.
• Once onions are clear, stir in one can of broth, stir until smooth.
• Add roux mixture to saucepan of broth.
• Use the roux skillet for the chicken,cook sausage and chicken until chicken is no longer pink, add to broth.
• Pour the 2 remaining cans of broth into the skillet, bring to a boil, stirring, cleaning the remaining roux and the flavors from the skillet.
• Add skillet broth to sauce pan.
• Stir in Cajun seasonings and bouillon.
• Let simmer on low for 2 hours.
• Serve over cooked white rice.

SHRIMP AND OYSTER GUMBO WITH OKRA

Steps:

• To make the shrimp stock: Peel the shrimp, and toss the heads and shells into a large stock pot; refrigerate the peeled shrimp until ready to cook in the gumbo. Add the crab, onion, bay leaves, thyme, cayenne, Old Bay, and lemons to the pot. Cover with 2 1/2 quarts of cold water. Allow the liquid to slowly come to a boil, and then lower the heat. Gently simmer for 45 minutes, uncovered, skimming any foam that rises to the top. Strain the stock into a heatproof container or another pot to remove the chunky solids; at this point you should have about 2 quarts of flavorful broth to use in the gumbo. Cool until needed.
• To make the gumbo, you must start with a roux base: Melt the butter over medium-low heat in a Dutch oven or other large, heavy pot. Just as the foam subsides, add the flour, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or whisk to prevent lumps - it may lock-up like cake frosting but just keep stirring through it. Cook the roux until it's the color of a walnut and smells equally as nutty, this should take about 15 minutes.
• Add the onions, celery, bell pepper, garlic, and okra (if it ain't got okra, it ain't gumbo!); season with salt, cayenne, and Old Bay. Mix in the tomatoes, bay leaves, and thyme. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring now and then, until the vegetables are soft. Pour in the cooled shrimp stock and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, and then reduce the heat. Simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gumbo is dark and thick. Toss in the shrimp and oysters, cook about another 15 minutes; adjust seasoning.
• To serve: Ladle the gumbo into shallow bowls and pile some rice in the center. Sprinkle the parsley and green onions over the top. Pass the French bread and hot sauce at the table.

EASY OKRA & BEEF GUMBO

Steps:

• Brown ground meat and onions. Season with cajun seasoning while browning. I like Tony Cacchere's. Add tomatoes and okra. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes, adding corn in the last 10 minutes. Serve over rice.

OKRA SHRIMP GUMBO

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat the stock and keep warm.
• In a large pot over medium heat, add the oil and onions and saute, stirring frequently, until the onions are soft and golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Add a little hot stock if needed to avoid burning and to keep the onions soft.
• Add the salted pork and ham and cook for 10 minutes. Add the garlic, celery, bell pepper and 1 cup stock and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Add the mild and hot smoked sausages and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the remaining stock and the Slow Cooker Smothered Okra and cook until thickened slightly, 15 minutes. Stir in the shrimp, parsley and green onions and add salt and red pepper to taste. Cook another 5 to 8 minutes, then turn off the heat and stir in the crab.
• Combine the okra and oil in a slow cooker and stir well. Cover and cook on high until tender, 3 to 4 hours. Stores well in ziptop bags in the freezer.

CHICKEN OKRA SAUSAGE GUMBO

Steps:

• Place the salt, black pepper, Cajun seasoning, and garlic powder, with the flour in a 1 gallon zip type bag.
• Wash the chicken parts and dry well. Sprinkle with more Cajun seasoning and allow to sit for 30 minutes at room temperature.
• (If you do not have bacon fat handy, use this time to render the fat from 1/2 pound of bacon.).
• In a large stock pot, about 12 quart, heat the olive oil and bacon fat.
• Put the chicken into the bag with the seasoned flour and shake to coat. Drop the chicken into the pan and brown it until the outside is golden. Do it in two batches if necessary. Reserve the flour mixture remaining in the bag.
• Remove the chicken and add the flour mixture from the bag to the oil. On low heat, stir the roux thoroughly. Allow it to simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring thoroughly every 5-6 minutes or less. Do not allow it scorch. It's better to keep the heat lower, stir more often and take the maximum amount of time then to risk scorching the roux which will make it bitter. The end result should be a smooth paste the color of mahogany, several shades darker than peanut butter.
• While that is browning, chop the bell peppers, onions and celery. Mince the garlic. Slice each link of sausage in half lengthwise, then lay flat on the board and slice into 3/8" slices.
• When the roux has become smooth and rich, add the peppers, onions, garlic,celery and sausage. Stir until the vegetables are wilted and the onions are translucent. Ad the bay leaf.
• Add one can of tomatoes and their liquid and stir well. Continue adding the second can of tomatoes, the stock and water slowly, stirring well between each addition to prevent lumps. Bring to a boil. Return the chicken to the pot and allow to simmer until the chicken is falling off the bone, about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove the chicken and set aside to cool so the meat can be removed from the bones. Add the sliced okra, the thyme and the rice. Allow to cook on low heat for 40 minutes or until the rice is done.
• Adjust the seasonings with salt, pepper and cayenne.

NEW ORLEANS SEAFOOD OKRA GUMBO

Steps:

• 1. In a large crockpot, add all of the chopped vegetables, bay leaves and parsley; pour oil and water over the top. Don't stir. Cover and set cooker to high for 2 hours or until bubbling, then set it to low and cook 6 more hours (while you sleep). This not only cooks all the slime out of the okra but also cooks down the seasonings without having to stand over the stove for hours, stirring constantly. Alternate Method: set cooker on low for 9-10 hours (while you sleep).
• 2. Make the Shrimp Stock - In a very large soup pot put all the shrimp heads and peels along with the remaining stock ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 1 hour. Remove from heat and strain the solids out of the stock and discard. Use the stock for the gumbo and freeze and leftover stock for future use. (If you have a vent fan over your cooktop, turn it on high. It will not only smell like a full blown shrimp boil inside your house, but it will clean out your sinuses. I just happen to love the smell.)
• 3. First You Make A Roux - Most roux recipes call for equal parts oil and flour but it makes for a more liquid roux and leave unused oil floating in the finished product. I prefer to make a thick roux base where just about all of the fat is consumed by flour. At first it will be very thick but not chalky and all of the flour will be absorbed by the fat. As the roux begins to cook and brown, lower the heat and continue to stir or whisk. It will become smoother and a little thinner but still won't have excess fat in it. Remember, the darker the roux the less thickening power it has.
• 4. To begin the roux, in a large gumbo pot or soup pot heat oil just until hot, but not burning, and whisk in the flour, removing all lumps. Over medium to medium-low heat continue to frequently stir to keep flour from browning too fast. If your fire is too high the flour will burn (you will smell it). If this happens THROW IT OUT and start over with a lower heat. Gumbo is too expensive to ruin on burnt roux! Cook the roux until it is just a little darker than peanut butter. The darker the roux, the harsher the flavor, which is too strong for the delicate seafood. If you like your gumbo to "look" darker, add Kitchen Bouquet to the gumbo. It doesn't take three days to make a great roux but you don't want to rush it either. Making roux takes a little patience but it's not that difficult even for the beginner.
• 5. Finishing Off the Gumbo - If you're using oysters, strain the liquor through a strainer lined with a paper towel and reserve liquid. Discard grit and shell pieces. Refrigerate oysters and liquor until ready to use. To your perfect roux add the cooked down vegetables from the crock pot and enough shrimp stock, (or other liquids), to bring the gumbo to desired thickness. Don't start it out too thick because it will thicken a little as it simmers. At this point add the gumbo crabs only, NOT THE CRAB MEAT OR SHRIMP. If the gumbo becomes too thick, add more liquid and stir frequently. When the mixture begins to gently boil reduce heat, add the crab meat and simmer on low for at least 30-45 minutes, gently stirring occasionally to keep from sticking. The longer you simmer the gumbo the better it gets.
• 6. Taste for seasoning, and add salt, black & red pepper, & tobasco to taste. ** At this point if you're not going to serve the gumbo until the next day turn the fire off and add the raw shrimp. Stir well, cover pot and let cool down. When it's cool enough put gumbo in refrigerator overnight. The next day heat up as much as you need for that meal. The shrimp will finish cooking and won't get tough. Again, taste and adjust seasonings as needed because the shrimp will absorb a lot of salt and seasonings from the gumbo.
• 7. If you're going to serve it the same day you make it, add the shrimp and simmer the gumbo for 20-30 minutes. Taste again and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve over white rice with crusty french bread. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired. Enjoy!
• 8. Fast Roux Tips - In a large glass microwave safe bowl or mixing bowl you can add the oil/butter and flour, whisk well to remove lumps and cook on high for 2 mintues. Stir. Cook again for 2 minutes and stir. Then cook in 1 minute intervals, stirring well between each cooking segment until desired color is reached. CAREFUL - it will burn quickly so don't cook too fast! The bowl is very hot so be careful when removing from microwave. If you're using oysters or crawfish tails, add those with the shrimp. This gumbo freezes well.

BUBBA GUMP'S GREENBOW COUNTY OKRA GUMBO

Steps:

• Cook okra in 2 Tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until lightly browned.
• Set aside.
• Combine remaining butter and flour in a large dutch oven, cook over medium high, stirring constantly until roux is chocolate colored-around 20-25 min (I say have a beer while doing this) Stir in green onions, celery and garlic, cook stirring constantly until veg is tender.
• Add okra, water and the next 6 ingredients.
• Bring to a boil, reduce and simmer uncovered 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Peel and devein shrimp, add that and crab to okra mixture.
• Simmer an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove and discard bay leaf.
• Serve gumbo over rice.
• Sprinkle with file if desired.

SHRIMP AND SAUSAGE GUMBO WITH OKRA - AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN

Steps:

• Bring reserved shrimp shells and 4 1/2 cups wter to boil in stockpot or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 20 minutes. Strain stock and add clam juice and ice water (you should have about 2 quarts of tepid stock, 100 to 110 degrees); discard shells. Set stock mixture aside.
• Heat oil in Dutch oven or large, heavy-bottomed sauce-pan over medium-high heat until it registers 200 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and stir in flour gradually with wooden spatula or spoon, working out any small lumps. Continue stirring constantly, reaching into corners of pan, until mixture has a toasty aroma and is deep reddish brown, about the color of an old copper penny or between the colors of milk chocolate and dark chocolate, about 20 minutes. (The roux will thin as it cooks; if it begins to smoke, remove from heat and stir constantly to cool slightly.).
• Add onion, bell pepper, clelery, okra, garlic, thyme, salt, and cayenne; cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables soften, 8 to 10 minutes (or 10 to 15 minutes if using fresh okra.) Add 1 quart reserved stock mixture in slow, steady stream, stirring vigorously. Stir in remaining quart stock mixture. Increase heat to high; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, skim off foam on surface, about 30 minutes.
• Stir in sausage; continue simmering to blend flavors, about 30 minutes longer. Stir in shrimp; simmer until cooked through, about 5 minutes longer. Off heat, stir in parsley and scallions, adjust seasonings to taste with salt, ground black pepper, and cayenne; serve (traditionally gumbo is served over white rice.).
• Roux Making Tip: Luke warm stock and constant stirring are keys to the right consistency.

OKRA GUMBO

Steps:

• Saute' onion and peppers in margarine until tender.
• Add remaining ingredients including cooked chicken.
• Cook on low for about 2 hours to blend flavors.
• This can be served over steamed rice.

EASY GUMBO (OKRA SOUP)

Steps:

• Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until slightly softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in grape tomatoes; cook until they begin to release their juices, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and crushed tomatoes. Cover and cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
• Remove saucepan from heat. Add water, okra pods, red pepper flakes, chicken bouillon, salt, and curry powder.
• Return saucepan to medium heat; simmer soup for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in shredded chicken. Simmer until okra is soft and chicken is heated through, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes.