Spicy Shrimp Gumbo
A flavorful spicy shrimp gumbo with vegetables, sausage, and Cajun seasonings, perfect for a hearty, comforting meal with bold southern flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery (including leaves) ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons fresh, crushed garlic ⓘ
- 4 ounces turkey sausage, diced ⓘ
- 3/4 pound cleaned, raw shrimp ⓘ
- 1 cup tomato sauce or stewed tomatoes ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chicken broth ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon Cajun or Creole seasoning ⓘ
- 1 cup frozen kernel corn ⓘ
- 1 cup frozen cut okra ⓘ
Instructions
- Combine onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, sausage, tomato sauce, broth, bay leaf, and Cajun or Creole seasoning in a 2 1/2-quart pot, and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce or a splash of hot sauce to the gumbo. If you can't find turkey sausage, any smoked sausage works well. Feel free to adjust the Cajun seasoning according to your spice tolerance. For added depth, sauté the vegetables until caramelized before adding the other ingredients.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Spicy Shrimp Gumbo over steamed rice for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a side salad for balance. For an extra kick, offer hot sauce on the side. This dish also complements well with Chicken And Mushrooms In Tarragon Sauce for a delightful dinner spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover gumbo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. You can also microwave it in a microwave-safe bowl, covering it loosely to allow steam to escape, for about 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Spicy Shrimp Gumbo contains roughly 466 calories, with 26g protein, 68g carbohydrates, and 17g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (157% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (70% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (67% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1135mg per serving (49% 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 use frozen shrimp instead of fresh?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp for convenience. Just ensure they are completely thawed and rinsed before adding them to the gumbo. Frozen shrimp can be a great time-saver without compromising flavor.
What can I substitute for okra?
If you cannot find okra or prefer not to use it, you can substitute it with diced zucchini or green beans. However, keep in mind that okra adds a unique texture and thickening quality to the gumbo.
Is there a vegetarian version of this gumbo?
Absolutely! You can make a vegetarian gumbo by omitting the sausage and shrimp, and replacing the chicken broth with vegetable broth. Add more vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and mushrooms for a hearty, flavorful dish.
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).