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How to Make Authentic Gumbo

How to Make Authentic Gumbo
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Gumbo is a flavorful thick stew made with andouille sausage, shrimp, tomatoes, and vegetables served over a bed of rice.

Ingredients

Scale

Roux:

¾ cup (1½ sticks / 170 g) unsalted butter

1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour

Veggie Mixture:

2 ribs celery, roughly chopped (about 1 cup)

1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped (about 1 cup)

1 large green bell pepper, roughly chopped, seeds removed (about 1 cup)

2 teaspoons garlic, minced

Gumbo:

10 cups (2.41 kg) beef broth

1 ring (14 ounces) andouille sausage or kielbasa, sliced into rounds

1 can (14.5 ounces) stewed tomatoes

1 can (6 ounces) tomato sauce

2 tablespoons hot sauce

1 tablespoon white sugar

½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning

½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves

4 teaspoons gumbo file powder, divided

4 bay leaves

3 pounds uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Cooked white rice, for serving

Instructions

1. In a large 6-quart pot over medium-low heat, melt butter. Once melted, add flour and whisk until smooth. Continue whisking and cooking until roux is deep brown (30–40 minutes). Do not burn.

2. Remove from heat. Whisk until cooled slightly and set aside.

3. Process celery, onion, pepper, and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped.

4. Add chopped vegetables to the roux and stir. Cook over medium-low heat until vegetables are tender (8–12 minutes).

5. Slowly whisk in beef broth and bring to a boil (15–20 minutes).

6. Reduce heat to low. Add sausage, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, hot sauce, sugar, Cajun seasoning, and thyme. Stir to combine.

7. Add bay leaves and simmer uncovered for 45 minutes.

8. Add 2 teaspoons of gumbo file powder, stir, and simmer for another 15 minutes.

9. Remove bay leaves. Add shrimp and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer over low heat for 45–60 minutes.

10. Stir in remaining 2 teaspoons of gumbo file powder.

11. Serve hot over cooked white rice.

Notes

For deeper flavor, let the gumbo sit for a few hours before serving.

Use seafood or chicken broth instead of beef if preferred.

File powder adds flavor and thickens—don’t skip it.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://glonfo.com/how-to-make-authentic-gumbo/