Husband's Grandmother's Shrimp Gumbo

4.7
(107)

My husband's grandmother cooked at Cajun festivals, and people lined up to taste this authentic gumbo! This recipe serves eight but multiplies well. Serve gumbo over cooked white rice.

close up view of Gumbo garnished with fresh herbs with white rice in a bowl with a spoon
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Prep Time:
45 mins
Cook Time:
2 hrs 15 mins
Total Time:
3 hrs
Servings:
12
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Ingredients

  • 1 pound smoked sausage links, cut into 1/4-inch slices

  • ¼ pound bacon, chopped

  • 2 cups chopped okra

  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers

  • ½ cup unsalted butter

  • 2 cups chopped onion

  • cup finely chopped green bell pepper

  • cup finely chopped celery

  • ½ cup chopped green onions

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic

  • cup all-purpose flour

  • 8 cups water, divided

  • salt and ground black pepper to taste

  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 2 bay leaves

  • 2 pounds raw medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

Directions

  1. Brown sausages in a skillet over medium heat. Drain sausages on a paper-towel-lined plate and set aside. Drain skillet. Cook bacon until crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove bacon to the plate with sausages. Cook okra in bacon drippings until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain okra in a colander. Drain the skillet.

  2. Place okra and tomatoes in the skillet over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.

  3. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, celery, green onions, parsley, and garlic. Cook until onions turn brown, about 10 minutes. Remove vegetables, leaving liquid in the pot behind. Stir in flour, reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring constantly, until roux turns the color of milk chocolate, 30 to 45 minutes. Do not burn.

  4. Whisk in 2 cups water, raise the heat to medium, and stir in salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring mixture to a boil. Stir in sausage, bacon, okra-tomato mixture, and remaining 6 cups water.

  5. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer gumbo, stirring occasionally, until stew thickens and flavors are blended, about 45 minutes. Add shrimp, and simmer until pink and opaque, 6 to 8 more minutes. Discard bay leaves and adjust seasonings, if desired, before serving.

190 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

344 Calories
22g Fat
13g Carbs
24g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 12
Calories 344
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 10g 49%
Cholesterol 165mg 55%
Sodium 922mg 40%
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 24g 48%
Vitamin C 19mg 21%
Calcium 82mg 6%
Iron 3mg 18%
Potassium 444mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.