Course: Entree
Cuisine: Cajun, New Orleans
Keyword: Creole, Gumbo, how to make a dark roux, Shrimp
Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours hours
Total Time: 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 391kcal
This Classic Shrimp and Okra Gumbo relies on several key features: a dark roux, a really good shellfish stock, file, and a good Louisiana hot sauce. I've been making this gumbo for a long time, and it is a household favorite without a doubt. A NOLA classic in your own kitchen!! So good!
Print Recipe
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 1 cup celery chopped
- 1 large green bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 1 poblano pepper seeded and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp Kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1½ tbsp filé powder
- 1 28 oz. can whole tomatoes drained and roughly chopped
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup hot sauce
- 3 quarts shellfish stock click for full recipe
- 2 lbs shrimp medium, peeled and deveined
- 3 cups okra sliced
- cooked rice
- Scallions sliced, for garnish
In a large pot (preferably Dutch oven), heat oil over medium-high heat and slowly whisk in flour. Cook and whisking constantly until a brown roux forms, about 40 minutes.
Carefully add onion, bell pepper, celery, poblano, chili powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and both peppers. Stir until all is mixed together and heated through, about 2 minutes.
Transfer mixture to a stockpot or large Dutch oven. Stir in tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and shellfish stock. Stir to combine.
Simmer for 30 minutes.
Add in the shrimp and simmer for 45 minutes. Skim oil as it forms small puddles on the surface.
Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the okra and cook until slightly browned and some of the 'slime' is gone. Set aside.
Add the cooked okra to the gumbo mixture and simmer for another 15 minutes.
Serve with hot cooked rice and garnish with scallions.
The shellfish stock can be made up to 1 week in advance.
Frozen cut okra is perfectly fine to use in this recipe.
The gumbo is even better the following day.
Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 286mg | Sodium: 2067mg | Potassium: 462mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1002IU | Vitamin C: 51mg | Calcium: 229mg | Iron: 4mg