This Cajun Seafood Gumbo is the perfect one-pot recipe if you are looking for a healthy stew made with seafood and fresh vegetables.

Have this authentic Cajun Seafood Gumbo recipe at home with Marmite Pasta, Vegetable Pasta Bake or Cajun Rice Dressing.

Check also Cajun Meatball Stew and Chicken Lentil Soup.

The shrimp have that fresh and tender flesh bathed in savory delight and spice, while the celery's leafy and earthy flavor is maxed up by the many seasonings. The simmering sauce is just as flavorful and scrumptious as the rest.

Some think that this recipe is something you would like to have when everything for the day has already been done. Thus, dinner with this dish on the table will seemingly be fulfilling for sure.

A simple get-together will also be brightened once you get this dish out of the kitchen and into the dining table. You will easily perfect this recipe in no time because it is very much simple to make, so wait no more and add this to your favorite recipe book!

Jump to:

• What Is Gumbo?
• Why Does This Recipe Work?
• What Is The Secret Ingredient In Gumbo?
• Cajun Seafood Gumbo Ingredients
• Variations & Substitutions
• How to Make Cajun Seafood Gumbo - Step-By-Step Instructions
• Top Tips!
• Best Seafood For Gumbo
• Serving Suggestions
• How To Store
• Recipe FAQs
• More Easy Recipes
• Recipe Card
• Comments

What Is Gumbo?

Gumbo is a famous Louisiana cuisine that has a mix of African, Indian, and European touches that create a wonderful stew filled with so much flavor and soup-like consistency.

Most gumbo is made with a combination of different seafood, mostly crab meat, and shrimp. Vegetables like okra are also typically added. However, making your own version of gumbo for convenience has become a trend as well. Today, people would mostly just have celery and shrimp as their main ingredients, along with other seasonings.

Why Does This Recipe Work?

There are many good qualities that make this recipe a must-try, let us go through them one by one.

• This is a perfect dish for a scrumptious and hearty meal idea you can enjoy for a weeknight dinner at home.
• A one-pot recipe. Making this dish at home will not tire you of the countless dishwashing to be done. It is a very simple and clean recipe to try at home indeed.
• This is a versatile dish that you can serve for several simple occasions.
• A freezer-friendly dish you can keep for months without getting spoiled. It is so easy to repeat as well, so you can definitely enjoy this dish for so long.

What Is The Secret Ingredient In Gumbo?

Chicken broth is the secret ingredient; it makes this recipe taste even more robust and flavorful. Also, cajun seasoning is so important to flavor this dish, as it is the best seasoning out there that can easily spice up your gumbo.

Cajun Seafood Gumbo Ingredients

Vegetable Oil. Choose any of your favorite or most used vegetable oil for this recipe; you may also use canola oil instead.

All-Purpose Flour. Flour is essential in the making of the roux for this recipe. The flour will be cooked together with the oil to create a base that will thicken the sauce of your gumbo.

Onion. The sweet, pungent nature of onion helps build the flavor of this recipe. Make sure not to forget to add this despite already having green onions in the mix.

Celery. Celery has a leafy and earthy flavor that serves as an aromatic base for many soup-stew recipes including this one for your gumbo.

Green Onions. Add a milder and sweeter flavor to the mixture by including green onions.

Green Pepper. With its earthy and grassy flavor, green pepper will pair well with the celery as this recipe cooks.

Chicken Broth. You may use seafood stock instead.

Paprika, Salt, Oregano, and Black Pepper. The secret to making a flavorful scrumptious dish is to season it heartily. Hence, do not hesitate to season your gumbo with paprika, salt, oregano, and black pepper to see just how flavorful it can get.

Shrimp. Shrimp is the only seafood in this recipe, but the flavor it gives is beyond comparison to others. Add a generous amount of shrimp if you are so fond of it.

Fresh Parsley. It helps in lessening the smell of the shrimp to blend easily with the aroma of the whole dish.

Cajun Seasoning. Spice and this recipe go well together; Cajun Seasoning will spice up your easy gumbo beautifully.

“See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.”

Variations & Substitutions

• Adding okra to your gumbo is known to thicken the sauce more.
• Along with vegetable oil and flour, use butter in making the roux as well. The butter will make the roux taste nutty and somewhat tender.
• Cayenne pepper is another good ingredient to spice this recipe up.
• Use shrimp stock instead of chicken broth.

How to Make Cajun Seafood Gumbo - Step-By-Step Instructions

One: Heat the oil in a pot over medium heat, and mix in flour until smooth.

Two: Cook for 3-4 minutes (stirring constantly) until the mixture is golden brown.

Three: Add onion, celery, green onions and green pepper; stir until combined.

Four: Cook for 4-5 minutes, then add the chicken broth, water, paprika, salt, oregano and pepper. Bring to boil; then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Five: Add shrimp, Cajun seasoning and parsley, and simmer for 5 minutes more or until seafood is done.

Top Tips!

• When making the roux, make sure that the heat is never above medium because the flour will easily get burned. Do not forget that the mixture has to be stirred constantly until it is already golden brown; this will prevent the flour from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• Do not try to substitute onion, celery, and green pepper with other ingredients because these three vegetables are what chefs consider the holy trinity of gumbo. They provide the best savory gumbo that other vegetables will not be able to give.
• Measure the flour correctly. If you do not add enough flour to make the roux, the result of the whole recipe will become watery.
• Do not try to shorten the amount of cooking time of this recipe. The longer you let this dish simmer in the pot, the more flavorful it can get.

Best Seafood For Gumbo

There are so many options to consider when buying seafood for your Gumbo, below are some suggestions:

• Shrimp: Fresh or frozen shrimp is one of the best seafood to use; it adds a combination of buttery, savoury and sweet flavor to the dish.
• Crab: Crab meat adds a rich and sweet taste to the dish; you can also use crab legs.
• Squid: Cut it into small chunks.
• Oysters: Oysters are also a good choice to add; however, be careful not to overcook them; add them towards the end of the cooking process.
• Fish: Use any white fish fillet, sea bass, cod or salmon.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Cajun Seafood Gumbo with a bowl of white or brown rice for the most satiating meal ever. Pairing it with slices of white bread or Gyro bread is also an ideal meal idea.

Smoked Salmon Pasta Salad,  Avocado Sauce Pasta or Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese will pair nicely with the savory sauce of this dish as well.

How To Store

To Store: Keep in an airtight container before refrigerating for three days.

To Freeze: While in an airtight container, freeze this dish for up to three months.

Recipe FAQs

More Easy Recipes

• Pan Seared Salmon With Sweet And Sour Sauce
• Sheet Pan Baked Salmon With Veggies
• Spicy Garlic Shrimp
• Cajun Fried Shrimp

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Recipe Card