Rich Cajun stew with andouille, shrimp, and okra
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 20 min
Servings
8
8 bowls
Difficulty
Medium
Cost
Moderate
$$
Rich Cajun stew with andouille, shrimp, and okra
A deeply flavored Cajun stew built on a dark chocolate-brown roux, loaded with andouille sausage, shrimp, okra, and the holy trinity of onion, celery, and bell pepper.
20m
Prep Time
60m
Cook Time
80m
Total Time
8
Servings
Medium
Difficulty
Moderate $$
Cost
(Updated )
Gumbo is Louisiana cooking at its finest—a rich, complex stew that starts with a patient dark roux. The combination of andouille and shrimp gives you the best of land and sea.
Make a dark roux by whisking oil and flour in a heavy pot over medium heat, stirring constantly for 20-25 minutes until chocolate brown.
Add the holy trinity and cook 5 minutes until softened. Stir in andouille and cook 3 minutes.
Gradually add chicken stock, stirring to blend with the roux. Add okra, bay leaves, and Cajun seasoning.
Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors meld.
Add shrimp in the last 5 minutes and cook until pink. Serve over steamed white rice with hot sauce.
Serve with a fresh side salad for a balanced meal
Pair with your favorite grain or bread on the side
Garnish with fresh herbs for a beautiful presentation
Kielbasa works well if andouille is unavailable
Both thicken gumbo but have different flavors
Never stop stirring the roux—even 30 seconds off heat can scorch it and you'll have to start over.
Add filé powder at the table for extra thickening and a subtle sassafras flavor.
Refrigerate up to 4 days. Flavors improve overnight. Freeze up to 3 months without the shrimp.
Warm over medium-low heat, adding a splash of stock if too thick. Add fresh shrimp when reheating frozen gumbo.
Per serving (125mg) · 8 servings
A moderate-calorie serving · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
View all recipes →




