Cajun-Spiced Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo
A hearty, spicy gumbo featuring tender shrimp and smoky andouille sausage simmered with the Cajun holy trinity of vegetables. This southern-inspired soups ready in about 65 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, olive oil, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 8 oz, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds andouille sausage
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large, diced onion
- 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 1 tsp (optional) file powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups for serving cooked white rice
- 2, sliced for garnish green onions
- 2 tbsp chopped for garnish fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 8-10 minutes until the roux turns a deep caramel brown and smells nutty.
- Step 2: Add 1 large diced onion, 1 diced green bell pepper, and 2 diced celery stalks to the roux. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and aromatic.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 8 oz sliced andouille sausage and cook for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned.
- Step 5: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and 1 cup diced tomatoes, stirring to combine. Add 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp fresh thyme, 1 tsp file powder (optional), 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 6: Bring the gumbo to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook uncovered for 30 minutes to develop flavors.
- Step 7: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp to the pot and simmer for another 5 minutes until shrimp turn pink and are cooked through.
- Step 8: Remove bay leaves before serving.
- Step 9: Serve the gumbo hot over 2 cups cooked white rice, garnished with 2 sliced green onions and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cajun-Spiced Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 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-Spiced Shrimp and Andouille 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cajun-Spiced Shrimp and Andouille 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-Spiced Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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.
What goes well with Cajun-Spiced Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo?
Southern soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Equipment for this recipe
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