Big Easy Gumbo Recipe

This simplified version of Southern Living's January 2011 Big Easy Gumbo recipe is a flavor explosion! Using pre-cooked chicken and canned broth makes it incredibly easy, perfect for a weeknight meal or meal prepping (OAMC). The key is a deeply flavorful roux – be sure to heat your oil properly before whisking in the flour for that signature dark brown color. Get ready for a taste of the Big Easy in under an hour!

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 68 mins
Calories 484.1 kcal
Protein 75g
Rating 4.5 (2 Reviews)
Big Easy Gumbo 89

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Big Easy Gumbo

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 medium onion (chopped)
  • 1 green bell pepper (chopped)
  • 2 celery stalks (chopped)
  • Creole seasoning
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
  • Andouille sausage
  • Frozen black eyed peas
  • 1 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Cooked rice

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How to Make Big Easy Gumbo

  1. Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  2. Gradually whisk in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 5-7 minutes, or until the mixture is a deep chocolate brown. Do not burn.
  3. Reduce heat to medium.
  4. Stir in 1 medium onion (chopped), 1 green bell pepper (chopped), 2 celery stalks (chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes.
  5. Gradually whisk in 6 cups chicken broth.
  6. Add 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced), 1 bay leaf, and 1 teaspoon dried thyme.
  7. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil.
  8. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
  9. Add 1 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined) and cook for 5 minutes, or just until the shrimp turn pink.
  10. Serve hot over cooked rice.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

32 g

Sugar

7g

Fat

31g

Carbs

6g