Slow Cooker Cajun-Spiced Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo
A hearty Louisiana-inspired gumbo featuring spicy andouille sausage, tender shrimp, and a rich, smoky broth simmered to perfection in a slow cooker. This caribbean-inspired slow cooker ready in about 375 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, medium, diced yellow onion, medium, diced green bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 12 oz, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds andouille sausage
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
- 3, diced celery stalks
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup, with juices diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2, sliced for garnish green onions
- 2 tbsp, chopped for garnish fresh parsley
- 4 cups, for serving cooked white rice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil until shimmering. Whisk in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, stirring constantly for 8-10 minutes until deep brown and nutty fragrant to create a dark roux. Remove from heat.
- Step 2: Transfer the roux to a slow cooker. Add 1 diced yellow onion, 1 diced green bell pepper, 3 diced celery stalks, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Stir to combine.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth and 1 cup diced tomatoes with juices. Add 12 oz sliced andouille sausage, 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp dried thyme, 2 bay leaves, 1 tsp hot sauce, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir well.
- Step 4: Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours until vegetables are tender and flavors meld.
- Step 5: Thirty minutes before serving, stir in 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes until shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
- Step 6: Remove bay leaves. Serve gumbo hot over 4 cups cooked white rice, garnished with 2 sliced green onions and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Cajun-Spiced Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo take to make?
Total time is about 375 minutes (15 min prep + 360 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 Slow Cooker 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 medium, diced yellow onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker 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 Slow Cooker 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 Slow Cooker Cajun-Spiced Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo?
Caribbean slow cooker 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.