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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
