Okra And Seafood Gumbo
A hearty gumbo featuring tender okra, fresh seafood, smoked sausage, and savory spices, perfect for a flavorful family meal or special gathering.
Ingredients
- 2 lb. fresh okra or 2 boxes frozen okra ⓘ
- 3 large onions, chopped ⓘ
- 3 cloves garlic ⓘ
- 1 medium green pepper ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. parsley ⓘ
- 3 to 4 shallots, chopped ⓘ
- 2 bay leaves ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. celery, chopped ⓘ
- 1/3 cup flour ⓘ
- 1/2 lemon, sliced ⓘ
- 1 can tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 cup ham, diced ⓘ
- 1 lb. shrimp, cleaned ⓘ
- 3 to 4 fresh crabs, cleaned ⓘ
- 1/3 lb. smoked sausage ⓘ
- 1 tsp. black pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. red pepper
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. bacon or pork drippings ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large heavy pot, fry sliced smoked sausage in bacon fat or drippings.
- Add ham and fry a few minutes longer, then remove the meat from the pot.
- Fry onions, garlic, and shallots for a few minutes, then add sliced okra and fry well, taking care not to burn.
- Add celery, parsley, green pepper, and Worcestershire sauce to the pot.
- Add tomatoes, bay leaves, seasoning, ham, and smoked sausage to the pot and let cook for a few minutes.
- Pour in about 3 quarts of hot water and cook for 30 minutes.
- Brown flour in bacon fat until dark brown, then remove from heat.
- Stir in 2 cups cold water and add to the pot, stirring well.
- Cook for 20 minutes.
- Add crabs, shrimp, and lemon slices, then cook until thick as gravy.
- Serve hot with cooked rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using homemade stock instead of water for cooking. If you can't find fresh okra, frozen okra works well as a substitute. You can also use different seafood like scallops or fish if shrimp is unavailable. For a slightly spicy kick, feel free to add more red pepper or a dash of hot sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the gumbo hot over a bed of cooked rice for a comforting meal. It pairs beautifully with German Sour Cream Potato Salad for a delightful side. Consider offering crusty bread or cornbread for dipping, and a fresh green salad to balance the richness of the dish.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover gumbo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stove over low heat, adding a little water or stock if it thickens too much. You can also reheat it in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Okra And Seafood Gumbo contains roughly 706 calories, with 25g protein, 132g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (143% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (107% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (101% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 879mg per serving (38% of the Daily Value).
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 make this gumbo ahead of time?
Yes, gumbo often tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. You can prepare it a day in advance and refrigerate it. Just reheat gently before serving. Be sure to add fresh seafood right before serving to maintain its texture.
What can I use instead of smoked sausage?
If you prefer a different flavor, you can substitute smoked sausage with andouille sausage for a spicier kick, or use turkey sausage for a lighter option. Alternatively, omit the sausage entirely for a seafood-only gumbo.
Is there a vegetarian version of gumbo?
Absolutely! You can make a vegetarian gumbo by replacing the meat and seafood with hearty vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers. Use vegetable broth instead of water and add canned beans for protein. This variation maintains flavor while accommodating a plant-based diet.
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).