File Gumbo
A hearty, flavorful gumbo featuring seafood, vegetables, and aromatic seasonings, perfect for seafood lovers and those craving a comforting, spicy Southern-style dish.
Ingredients
- 4 chopped onions ⓘ
- 1 bunch chopped scallions ⓘ
- 5 cloves chopped garlic ⓘ
- 1/3 green pepper, chopped
- 1 1/4 cups water ⓘ
- 1/2 cup browned flour
- Gravy Master ⓘ
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 3 boxes chopped frozen okra
- 1 tablespoon file gumbo ⓘ
- 1/4 cup whole oregano leaves ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasonings ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley ⓘ
- 3 pinches thyme
- lots of salt and pepper
- 1 can crabmeat ⓘ
- 1 pound chopped lobster meat ⓘ
Instructions
- Fry together chopped onions, scallions, garlic, and green pepper.
- Place the fried vegetables in a saucepan with water, browned flour, and Gravy Master.
- Fill the saucepan halfway with water and bring to a simmer.
- Add chopped frozen okra, crabmeat, and chopped lobster meat to the mixture.
- Stir in file gumbo, oregano leaves, Italian seasonings, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Cook until flavors meld and seafood is heated through, about 20-30 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your File Gumbo, consider using homemade seafood stock instead of water for a richer taste. If you can't find file gumbo, you can substitute it with a mix of ground coriander and sassafras leaves. For a heartier dish, add some diced potatoes or other vegetables. Adjust the seasoning gradually, especially the salt, to suit your taste.
Serving Suggestions
Serve File Gumbo over a bed of cooked rice for a traditional touch, or alongside crusty bread for dipping. Consider pairing it with a simple green salad or cornbread for a complete meal. This dish also goes well with a light, crisp white wine to complement the seafood flavors. For more ideas, browse more seafood recipes.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the gumbo on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can add a splash of water or broth to loosen the consistency if it thickens too much while stored.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of File Gumbo contains roughly 944 calories, with 12g protein, 52g carbohydrates, and 81g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (91% of the Daily Value), iron (80% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (50% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 14g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh okra instead of frozen?
Yes, you can use fresh okra if available. Slice the fresh okra into rounds and add it to the gumbo during the last 10-15 minutes of cooking. Fresh okra will give a nice texture, but be sure to adjust cooking time to prevent it from becoming too mushy.
What can I substitute for crabmeat?
If you're looking for a substitute for crabmeat, you can use shrimp or scallops instead. Both options will pair well with the other seafood in the gumbo and add a delicious flavor. Just ensure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as shrimp cooks faster than crab.
Is File Gumbo spicy?
File Gumbo can vary in spiciness depending on the seasonings used. If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of black pepper and Italian seasonings. Conversely, if you enjoy heat, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to taste for an extra kick.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).