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Real Recipes From Real Home Cooks ®

the real gumbo

★★★★★ 1
Kimk105 avatar
a recipe by
Kimberly Kolligs
@Kimk105
Durham, NH

This is the hub's recipe. :-) Yes it calls for both okra AND file powder - because you will be adding a lot of liquid and both of those thickening agents will get this to where it needs to be. And of course, all those flavors are a must.

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★★★★★ 1
serves 6+
prep time 1 Hr
cook time 2 Hr
method Stove Top

Ingredients For the real gumbo

  • SEAFOOD PROTEIN VERSION
  • 1 lb
    lump crab meat
  • 1 lb
    shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 lb
    scallops
  • 4 c
    seafood broth/stock (can make your own from shells, etc)
  • OTHER PROTEIN VERSION
  • 1 lb
    chicken
  • 1 lb
    sweet sausage
  • 1 lb
    andouille sausage (any spicy sausage)
  • 4 c
    chicken broth
  • THE ROUX
  • 1/2 c
    butter, margarine, oil, or shortening
  • 1/2 c
    all purpose flour
  • PHASE 1
  • 1
    large onion, chopped
  • 1 bunch
    green onion, chopped
  • 1
    green pepper, chopped
  • 8 clove
    garlic, minced
  • PHASE 2
  • 28 oz
    diced tomatoes
  • 2 c
    okra, sliced
  • 2 can
    corn
  • 1 tsp
    thyme, crushed
  • 1/2 Tbsp
    cayenne pepper (very spicy, often use 1/4 tbsp)
  • 1
    bay leaf
  • PHASE 3
  • 1 Tbsp
    cavender's seasoning
  • 1 Tbsp
    tony chachere (or old bay seasoning)
  • PHASE 4
  • 2 tsp
    file powder
  • worcestershire sauce
  • OTHER RECOMENDATIONS
  • rice

How To Make the real gumbo

  • 1
    Protein prep: 3 pounds of any protein would do, I like variety so I usually go with 3 different flavors/textures, but it can easily just be 3 pounds of chicken Seafood: thaw any frozen components. remove any shells. make your stock if you have chosen that route. DO NOT COOK SEAFOOD Other: cook your chicken (boil, saute, whatever, but i usually shred it afterwards). cook your sausage (I like to use the oil for the roux, so you may want to cook it in the same 5 quart pot as you plan for the gumbo)
  • 2
    The roux! This is the most important part of the recipe, but it will test your patience (mine often takes 1.5 hours or more!) Melt your butter (or whichever you've chosen) over medium-low heat. Stir in the flour. Cook and stir until you have a dark reddish brown roux. Give it at least 20-25 minutes, then try your patience for the great reddish brown!
  • 3
    Phase 1: Add all the onions, green pepper, and garlic. Cook over medium-low heat about 15 minutes or until the vegetables are very tender
  • 4
    Phase 2: Gradually stir in the stock. Then stir in the UNDRAINED tomatoes, corn, okra, thyme, cayenne pepper and bay leaf. Bring to boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
  • 5
    Phase 3: Add seasonings and simmer for another 20 minutes
  • 6
    Add your protein to the pot! IF YOU DID SEAFOOD: add your seafood to the pot! Return to just boiling and then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 2 to 4 minutes or until the shrimp is pink
  • 7
    Phase 4: Remove from heat. Stir in file powder and add 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce. Remove bay leaf.
  • 8
    Ready to serve! (I would recommend over a bed of rice!)
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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