Spiced New Orleans Style Seafood Gumbo with Okra
A rich, dark roux-based gumbo packed with shrimp, crab, and smoky sausage, accented by tender okra and bold Creole spices. This cajun-inspired seafood ready in about 90 minutes pairs andouille sausage, sliced, shrimp, peeled and deveined, lump crab meat 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
- 6 oz andouille sausage, sliced
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz lump crab meat
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup chopped okra
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp Creole seasoning
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- for serving cooked white rice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large heavy pot over medium heat, whisk together 1/2 cup vegetable oil and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour continuously for 15-20 minutes until the roux is a deep brown color, stirring constantly to avoid burning.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup diced celery, 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves to the roux. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 6 oz sliced Andouille sausage, cooking for 3-4 minutes to release flavor.
- Step 4: Gradually whisk in 6 cups chicken broth, scraping the pot bottom to incorporate roux. Add 1 cup chopped okra, 1 cup diced tomatoes, 2 tbsp Creole seasoning, and 2 bay leaves.
- Step 5: Bring gumbo to a simmer, cover partially, and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to thicken.
- Step 6: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp and 8 oz lump crab meat, cooking for 5-7 minutes until seafood is cooked through.
- Step 7: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves and stir in 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley.
- Step 8: Serve gumbo hot over cooked white rice for a comforting, spicy meal.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced New Orleans Style Seafood Gumbo with Okra take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (20 min prep + 70 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 Spiced New Orleans Style Seafood Gumbo with Okra?
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 andouille sausage, sliced from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced New Orleans Style Seafood Gumbo with Okra?
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 Spiced New Orleans Style Seafood Gumbo with Okra 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 Spiced New Orleans Style Seafood Gumbo with Okra?
Cajun seafood 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.
