Uncle Scott'S Gumbo
Uncle Scott's Gumbo is a rich, flavorful Louisiana-style dish featuring shrimp, oysters, crabmeat, and a hearty roux, perfect for seafood lovers and family gatherings.
Ingredients
- 3 lb. peeled shrimp ⓘ
- 24 to 48 boiled oysters ⓘ
- 1 lb. crabmeat ⓘ
- 1 c. olive oil
- 1 c. flour ⓘ
- 2 onions, chopped ⓘ
- 1 bell pepper, chopped ⓘ
- 1 c. red or white wine
- 1 Tbsp. black pepper ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. red pepper ⓘ
- 6 oz. can tomato paste ⓘ
- 10 c. water ⓘ
- 8 bay leaves, crushed ⓘ
- 5 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 3 1/2 Tbsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 c. chopped parsley ⓘ
- 1 tsp. celery seed ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. thyme ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. tarragon
- 4 (16 oz.) packages chopped okra ⓘ
- file powder ⓘ
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in an iron skillet and add flour to make a dark brown roux, stirring constantly to prevent burning, which takes 45 to 60 minutes.
- Add chopped onions and bell pepper to the roux and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Bring water to a boil in a large pot and add the roux mixture to the water.
- Add all remaining ingredients including shrimp, oysters, crabmeat, wine, tomato paste, water, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce, salt, parsley, celery seed, thyme, tarragon, chopped okra, and file powder.
- Simmer the gumbo for approximately 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Serve hot over rice, sprinkled lightly with file powder.
Tips & Substitutions
To achieve the perfect dark roux, be patient and stir constantly to avoid burning; this is essential for depth of flavor. If you can't find fresh seafood, consider using frozen shrimp or canned crabmeat as substitutions. For a thicker gumbo, add extra okra or a bit of filé powder towards the end of cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this gumbo hot over a bed of fluffy white rice for a classic touch. It pairs beautifully with crusty French bread for dipping. Consider a side of coleslaw or a simple green salad to balance the richness of the dish. For a complete seafood experience, explore more Seafood recipes.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover gumbo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water to restore moisture and heat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Uncle Scott'S Gumbo contains roughly 2160 calories, with 164g protein, 396g carbohydrates, and 47g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (1045% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (574% of the Daily Value), and protein (328% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2799mg per serving (122% 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 gumbo ahead of time?
Yes, gumbo often tastes better the day after it's made as the flavors meld together. Prepare it a day in advance, then cool it quickly and refrigerate. Reheat gently before serving.
What can I substitute for the oysters?
If you don't like oysters, you can omit them or replace them with additional shrimp or crabmeat. Clams or other shellfish can also work well in this recipe.
How can I make this gumbo spicier?
To add more heat, increase the amount of red pepper or add a few dashes of hot sauce. You can also include diced jalapeños or cayenne pepper 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).