Turkey And Sausage Gumbo
A hearty Louisiana-style gumbo featuring tender turkey, flavorful sausage, and a rich roux, perfect for comforting family meals and gatherings with bold, savory flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 turkey carcass ⓘ
- 1/2 cup salad oil ⓘ
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 1/2 large onions, chopped
- 1/2 green pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 1/2 pounds sausage, cut into 2 1/2-inch pieces ⓘ
- salt ⓘ
- red pepper ⓘ
- black pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley ⓘ
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion tops ⓘ
- hot cooked rice ⓘ
Instructions
- Use a turkey carcass with a little meat left on it and cover it with water.
- Boil until the meat leaves the bones, about 1 hour.
- Reserve the broth and remove the meat from the carcass; discard bones.
- Combine salad oil and flour in a large iron pot.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until a medium brown roux is formed.
- Add chopped onion, green pepper, and celery; cook about 5 minutes or until tender, stirring constantly.
- Add sausage, turkey meat, and 2 to 3 quarts of broth, adding water if necessary to make 2 quarts.
- Simmer the gumbo for 1 hour.
- Season with salt and red and black pepper to taste.
- Stir in chopped parsley and green onion tops.
- Cook for an additional 10 minutes.
- Serve over hot cooked rice and thicken with file if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider adding smoked sausage or andouille sausage instead of regular sausage. If you don't have a turkey carcass, chicken bones can be a great substitute. Make sure to stir the roux continuously to avoid burning, as it can go from perfect to burnt quickly. If you like spice, adding cayenne pepper can enhance the gumbo's heat.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the gumbo hot over a bed of cooked rice, which helps absorb the rich flavors. Garnish with additional chopped parsley and green onion tops for freshness. This dish pairs beautifully with a side of cornbread or a simple green salad for a well-rounded meal. For a twist, consider serving alongside Hawaiian Pilaf for a unique combination.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to maintain the desired consistency. Alternatively, gumbo can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Turkey And Sausage Gumbo contains roughly 403 calories, with 7g protein, 43g carbohydrates, and 23g fat. It is a good source of protein (14% of the Daily Value), iron (14% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (13% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 757mg per serving (33% 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?
Absolutely! Gumbo often tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. Prepare it in advance, allow it to cool, and store in the refrigerator. Just reheat gently before serving. You can also freeze it for longer storage.
What can I substitute for the turkey if I don't have a carcass?
If you don't have a turkey carcass, you can use chicken bones or even rotisserie chicken meat for a quicker option. Just ensure to adjust the cooking time for the broth, as chicken will take less time to cook down.
How can I thicken the gumbo if it's too thin?
If your gumbo turns out too thin, you can thicken it by creating a slurry with a bit of cornstarch and water, then stir it in and let it simmer until thickened. Another option is to let it cook uncovered for a bit longer to reduce the liquid.
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).