New Orleans Gumbo Recipe (Seafood Gumbo)

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This New Orleans Gumbo recipe is made with spicy smoked andouille sausage, crab, shrimp, oysters, okra and vegetables, all served over steamed white rice. Plus, this Seafood Gumbo recipe is ready in under an hour!!

This recipe was originally published in February 2018. It has been updated for content and photos.

I fell in love with seafood gumbo many, many years ago. With it's dark flavorful roux, fresh seafood, smoked sausage and fresh okra, this New Orleans Gumbo is the ultimate comfort food.

And while you may thing that it takes hours and hours to get a good gumbo, it doesn't. This gumbo is ready in under an hour, even less if you have made the roux in advance (recommended). 

You can make Instant Pot gumbo too if you want it to be even easier!

Delicious the first day, but even better the next, seafood gumbo is the perfect make-ahead meal that is sure to impress guests. They'll think you slaved for hours and hours to get that deep, rich flavor. 

And if seafood is not really your thing, check out this Chicken and Sausage Gumbo.

Check out the seafood gumbo story!

Ingredients

The key is to have a good dark roux. Follow my step by step instructions on How to Make a Roux. I'm not going to lie, making a dark roux can be a little time consuming (it will take 30-40 minutes to make a dark roux), but I swear it's totally worth it. I make mine ahead of time and freeze it in batches so it's ready when I need to make a recipe.

While I recommend making your own roux, you can also buy it HERE on Amazon (affiliate link). I included a link to buy it in the recipe card if you prefer to go that route. 

I also highly recommend using your own Cajun seasoning for the best results!

These are some of the other ingredients. A full list of all ingredients needed is included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Some of the links below are affiliate links and I earn a small commission if you buy through them.

• Shrimp or crawfish (or a mixture of both). Buy crawfish. 
• Andouille sausage - a smokey, slightly spicy pork sausage
• Oysters - I highly recommend fresh oysters. I don't love the flavor of the canned oysters. If you can't get fresh, leave the oysters out. Buy fresh oysters.
• Crab pieces or small blue crabs. Buy blue crabs.
• Dark roux - Learn How to Make a Roux
• Seafood broth - this can be shrimp, fish, lobster - anything seafood based. I use Better Than Bouillon Fish base for convenience. You can also make your own seafood stock.
• Okra - I recommend fresh sliced okra, but frozen will work as well for convenience.
• Gumbo file - Gumbo file thickens and adds flavor to gumbo. It is made with ground sassafras leaves, among other herbs. Buy it HERE. 

Why This Recipe Works

1. A dark roux is used, which adds a deep, intense flavor to the gumbo;
2. Fresh seafood adds to the flavor of the broth, while okra helps to thicken it;
3. Simmering on low heat for 30 minutes is all it takes for this gumbo to be ready;
4. It works perfect as a make-ahead meal as it tastes even better the second day.

Watch How To Make It!!

Step By Step Instructions

If you already have roux, heat it in a large dutch oven over medium heat. If you haven't made your roux yet, see below for instructions, or read more details about How to Make a Roux. 

Once the roux starts to sizzle (be sure you are stirring it constantly so it doesn't burn), add the onion and green peppers. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.

Add the Andouille sausage, tomatoes, bay leaf, Worcestershire sauce, sugar and Cajun seasoning and mix together. 

Add the okra and crab claws and simmer another 10 minutes. 

Add the shrimp/crawfish and oysters and remove from heat. Mix the shrimp and oysters in - the heat from the gumbo should cook them through. Cooking them this way prevents them from getting tough. Let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the seafood time to cook in the heat.

Serve the gumbo in bowls with steamed rice, garnished with green onions. This air fryer cornbread also goes perfect!

How to Make Dark Roux (Gumbo Roux)

Combine ½ cup of flour with ½ cup cooking oil in a heavy bottomed pot and cook over medium heat. Whisk continuously until the roux turns a very dark brown, dark chocolate color. This should take about 30 minutes.

**Always be sure to continuously stir the roux to prevent it from burning.

Read this post for a complete Guide to Cooking Roux. 

Expert Tips for Seafood Gumbo

1. Stir your roux constantly while making it to ensure it doesn't burn;
2. Add the seafood broth slowly while stirring - this helps keep lumps from forming and aids in a uniform, rich soup/stew;
3. Crawfish or shrimp can be used in this recipe - a mixture of both works incredibly well;
4. I buy cut up crabs, but any crab pieces will work, as long as it is crab in the shell. The juices from the shelled crab is what adds flavor to the gumbo;
5. I highly recommend only using fresh oysters. Canned oysters do not impart the same flavor. If you can't get fresh, I would just leave the oysters out;
6. If you absolutely can't find Andouille sausage, any spicy smoked sausage can be substituted.

Try these 20 + low country cuisine recipes!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does gumbo get better the longer it cooks? Yes and no. Cooking longer does help the flavor meld better, but also causes seafood to get tough and vegetables to break down. To get full flavor, I recommend making the gumbo using this quick recipe, and leaving it overnight to let the flavors meld. Eating it leftover will result in amazing flavors. 
2. Is gumbo Creole or Cajun? Well, it depends. This particular recipe is more of a Creole version because it has tomatoes, dark roux and shellfish. Cajun gumbo typically has no tomatoes, a lighter roux and is made with chicken
3. What is the difference between gumbo and jambalaya? Gumbo is a soup or stew that is typically served over rice, while jambalaya is a rice dish that is cooked in one pot (more like a casserole).
4. Can roux be made ahead of time? Totally! I actually recommend it so this recipe is even easier to make. I make a batch of roux and freeze it in ½ cup quantities so I can use it when I need it without going through the trouble of making it from scratch. 
5. Can you freeze gumbo? Gumbo can be frozen in an airtight container and store for up to 3  months. I recommend freezing it in single serving sizes for convenience.
6. Can you make gumbo in advance? Gumbo is actually better made in advance in my opinion. It gives the flavors time to meld. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze it per the above instructions. 
7. How thick should the roux for gumbo be? To make this New Orleans Gumbo (Creole Gumbo), we use a dark roux which is much less thick than a lighter roux. While the dark roux does have some thickening qualities, it is mainly used for it's deep flavor. The okra in this gumbo helps to thicken it.

Favorite Cajun/Creole Recipes

• Crawfish Pie;
• Fried Alligator Bites;
• Cajun Remoulade Sauce (i.e. the best sauce EVER);
• Cajun BBQ Shrimp;
• Cajun Blackened Catfish;
• Chicken Etouffee;
• Browse all the Cajun Recipes!

Most Popular Soup/Stew Recipes

• Creamy Crawfish Bisque;
• Instant Pot Ramen;
• Vietnamese Beef Pho;
• Singapore Laksa;
• Browse all the Soup Recipes!

Did you make this Louisiana Gumbo? rate the recipe and leave a comment to let me know how it turns out!