Comforting Shrimp + Sausage Gumbo Recipe

This richly-flavored Comforting Shrimp + Sausage Gumbo recipe is a hearty + delicious bowl of Southern goodness, packed with smoky sausage, tender shrimp, and a flavorful broth that warms you from the inside out. Perfect for when you need a cozy, satisfying meal! Gluten-free + Slow Cooker Options.

Some recipes are definitely worth the extra effort, especially when it comes to classic Southern comfort food. This Comforting Shrimp + Sausage Gumbo is a prime example. It’s the ultimate cozy dish, brimming with deeply flavored bites that just warm you up from the inside out. The roux is the secret ingredient here—it's the heart of any authentic gumbo, giving it that thick, luscious stock + rich flavor.

I love making this kind of food on weekends to have amazing leftovers ready for busy weeknights, and the best part? You can make it all in a slow cooker. This gumbo recipe is spicy, hearty, and entirely from scratch—basically, it’s a weekend win. I don’t know about you, but I’m all about this kind of comfort food. If you’re craving more Southern goodness, check out my My Favorite Cajun Seafood Boil, Spicy Southern Shrimp + Grits, or browse the 'Southern' category on the site for even more delicious ideas!

What Is Gumbo?

Gumbo is a tasty, Southern stew from Louisiana that's a real crowd-pleaser. It’s got a savory broth packed with goodies like shrimp + sausage, plus veggies. The magic comes from a thick, rich roux and okra, normally served over rice.

Why You Will LOVE Comforting Shrimp + Sausage Gumbo

• Spicy + hearty --- Perfect for cozy dinners.
• Slow cooker friendly—set it and forget it!
• Rich, flavorful roux makes every bite amazing.
• Perfect for batch cooking + enjoying leftovers.
• Classic Southern comfort that warms you up.
• Great for sharing with family and friends.
• Easy to make + but tastes like you spent hours!

How To Make Comforting Shrimp + Sausage Gumbo

Start by chopping up your veggies then in a Dutch oven, melt some butter and sear the sausage until it's golden. Add the onions and garlic, then the peppers and celery, and sauté until everything smells amazing.

Stir in Cajun seasoning and tomato paste, then pour in chicken broth + water. Bring it all to a boil, then let it simmer for about 50 minutes. In the last 15 minutes, toss in the shrimp + okra, and stir in a flour-water mix to thicken. When the shrimp turns pink and the sausage is tender, you're ready to serve! See the recipe card for the full breakdown!

Ingredients For Shrimp + Sausage Gumbo

GUMBO:

• Butter. I recommend unsalted for better control of flavor.
• All-purpose flour + water. The mixture when combined should be a "milky" thick consistency for thickening the gumbo.
• Yellow or white onion. Diced. Adds a savory base flavor.
• Green bell pepper. Diced
• Celery stalks. Adds depth and a subtle, aromatic flavor.
• Garlic cloves. Minced. Infuses the gumbo with rich, aromatic notes.
• Cajun seasoning. You can use store brought or homemade. Add more or less based on tastebuds.
• Andouille sausage. Sliced into rounds.
• Shrimp. Large wild-caught shrimp, peeled + deveined
• Bay leaves. Infuse a subtle, herbal flavor.
• Okra. You can also use frozen.
• Organic chicken broth or stock. Provides a rich, flavorful base.
• Tomato paste. Adds a rich, slightly tangy flavor.
• Sea salt. To taste.

OPTIONAL GARNISH:

• Hot sauce
• Chopped green onions (aka scallion)
• Chopped fresh parsley

SHOP MY FAVORITE TOOLS FOR COOKING, ESPECIALLY FOR THIS TOMATO SOUP!

Here, I've curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Comforting Shrimp + Sausage Gumbo. Everything from my fave baking sheet, dutch ovens, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!

Tips For Making The Best Gumbo

I've been enjoying making gumbo with my family since I was a kid, and I've picked up a few tips along the way that I’m excited to share with you:

Prep everything first. Get all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready before you start. Trying to chop while making the roux can be a hassle. It’s much easier to have everything prepped and waiting!

Take your time with the roux. The roux is key to great gumbo, so be patient and stir it constantly to get that deep, rich flavor. It should be a beautiful caramel color by the time you're done.

Use the right cookware. A Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot is ideal for making the roux. Avoid thin stockpots, as they can burn the roux. If you don't have a Dutch oven, you can make the roux in a cast iron skillet and then transfer it to a stockpot.

Adjust the spice level. Taste as you go and adjust the Cajun seasoning to suit your preference. It's easier to add more spice than to try to balance it out if it's too hot.

How To Serve Shrimp + Sausage Gumbo

To serve Shrimp + Sausage Gumbo, ladle it into your favorite bowls over a generous scoop of fluffy rice. You can also pair it with some crusty bread or cornbread on the side to soak up every last bit of that rich, savory broth.

This hearty gumbo also pairs beautifully with other Southern favorites like collard greens, creamy grits, or mac + cheese, making it a perfect centerpiece for a comforting, soul-satisfying meal!

Comforting Shrimp + Sausage Gumbo Q + A's

More Delicious Recipes For Meat-Lovers

Now that you've fallen in love with this Comforting Shrimp + Sausage Gumbo recipe, give these other meaty dishes a try next:

• Braised Steak Ragu with Pappardelle
• Spicy One-Pot Jerk Chicken and Dumplings
• One Skillet Creamy Cajun Chicken Orzo
• Braised Apple BBQ Ribs + Potatoes
• BBQ Jerk Salmon Burgers
• The Best Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
• Southern-Style Bacon Grilled Cheese Sandwich
• Easy KFC Mac + Cheese Bowl
• Spicy Southern Shrimp + Grits 

MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?

If you tried this Comforting Shrimp + Sausage Gumbo recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram  and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!

Comforting Shrimp + Sausage Gumbo Recipe

August 17, 2024 •

By Shanika

5 from 2 votes

This richly-flavored Comforting Shrimp + Sausage Gumbo recipe is a hearty + delicious bowl of Southern goodness, packed with smoky sausage, tender shrimp, and a flavorful broth that warms you from the inside out. Perfect for when you need a cozy, satisfying meal! Gluten-free + Slow Cooker Options.

Prep Time: 25 minutes mins

Cook Time: 1 hour hr

Total Time: 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Serves: 6 servings

Units:

US Customary|Metric

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Ingredients

GUMBO:

• 4 Tbsps unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup organic all-purpose flour + water (The mixture when combined should be a "milky" thick consistency)
• 1 yellow or white onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Tbsps cajun seasoning (Add more or less based on tastebuds)
• 12 oz. andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
• 1 lb. large wild-caught shrimp, peeled + deveined
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 ½ cups chopped okra (You can also use frozen)
• 1 (32 oz.) box organic chicken broth or stock
• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup organic tomato paste
• sea salt, to taste

OPTIONAL GARNISH:

• Hot sauce
• Chopped green onions (aka scallion)
• Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

PREP THE VEGGIES:

• Start by dicing and chopping all veggies, including onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic cloves, and okra.

SAUTE EVERYTHING:

• In a dutch oven pot over medium-high heat, add the butter until melted. Once hot, add the sausage rounds and sear on each side until golden + charred, about 3-4 minutes per side. When done, add the onions and garlic, sautéing for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant. Now, add the diced green peppers, and celery, stirring to sauté a bit, another 1-2 minutes. NOTE: It's OK if the pot seems crowded. You just need a bit of searing to soften the veggies.

TO MAKE THE GUMBO:

• Add the cajun seasoning and tomato paste, stirring to combine. Pour in the chicken broth/stock and water, stirring again to combine. Bring everything to a boil for 3-4 minutes before reducing the heat to low and allowing everything to simmer (uncovered) for about 50 minutes.
• In the last 15 minutes, add the shrimp and okra, stirring to incorporate and continue to simmer. Add the flour-water mixture and stirring frequently until fully dissolved and the gumbo begins to thicken. Simmer for another 1-2 minutes.
• Once done, the shrimp should be a pink color, the sausage completely tender, and the gumbo nice and thickened.
• Discard the bay leaves and remove from heat.
• To serve, add gumbo in your favorite bowl(s) with scoops of rice on top and a bit of hot sauce for a little heat. Feel free to garnish with chopped green onions or fresh parsley.
• Bon Appetit!

Tips & Tricks

• STORAGE: Leftovers can be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, for optimal freshness. Can also be frozen for 4-6 months. To defrost, simply place soup in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature before re-heating on the stove top to serve.
• BONE BROTH: You can substitute the chicken broth with Bone broth (chicken flavor) has incredible health benefits which include: immune boosting properties, good for digestion + gut health, joint health, etc.
• SLOW COOKER OPTION: To make this gumbo in the slow cooker, simply sauté garlic, onions, bell peppers, and celery before adding everything (excluding shrimp and okra) into your slow cooker and cooking on a low setting for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally. Add the shrimp and okra in the final 30 minutes or so.
• GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: To make this gumbo GF, simply substitute the flour with GF-friendly flour, as well as ensure that stock is GF-friendly.
• SPICES/HERBS: If desired, you can reduce the amounts slightly. Please know that this recipe is bold in spice/herb flavor, so feel free to adjust based on your tastebuds.

Nutrition

Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 93mg | Potassium: 213mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1632IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

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