Cajun-Inspired Vegan Gumbo
A spicy, hearty stew with coconut milk, okra, and andouille sausage substitute, inspired by Louisiana's multicultural roots. This cajun-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 65 minutes pairs coconut milk, sliced okra, large, diced bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 14 oz coconut milk
- 1 cup, sliced okra
- 1 large, diced bell pepper
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp rice flour
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion, 1 diced celery stalk, and 1 diced bell pepper; sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp tomato puree, 1 cup sliced okra, and 4 cups vegetable broth; bring to a simmer. Cook for 15 minutes.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp rice flour with 1/4 cup cold water to create a slurry. Stir into the pot, then add 14 oz coconut milk; cook for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Step 5: Season with salt and pepper. Serve over cooked rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cajun-Inspired Vegan Gumbo take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cajun-Inspired Vegan Gumbo?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep coconut milk from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cajun-Inspired Vegan Gumbo?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cajun-Inspired Vegan Gumbo for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Cajun-Inspired Vegan Gumbo vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 40-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
