I love a good gumbo. I’ve made several variations in the past. I came across this version from Chef Frank Brigtsen, and I just had to make it (a few times now, actually). It takes a lot of time, but it is by far the best gumbo I’ve ever had. You could shortcut some of the process (say, by using rotisserie chicken or store-bought chicken broth), but I don’t think you’ll be as happy with the end result.
This gumbo is worth every minute it takes to make. It is absolutely incredible, with the most unbelievable richest flavor.
I admit, I used more than the original recipe called for because I’m addicted to andouille. If you want to shave a little time off the recipe see my notes below for using precooked chicken or store-bought roux.
I like to use my good ole trusty Dutch oven to make this gumbo and pretty much darned near anything like it on my stovetop. It’s nice and big and sturdy. That extra weight helps it maintain and distribute heat perfectly. As an added bonus, it’s actually pretty easy to clean up too!
Also try my low-carb gumbo.
Gumbo
Ingredients
- 1-2 pounds fresh andouille sausage or a little more, sliced into 1/4" thick rounds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups yellow onions chopped
- 3 cups celery chopped
- 1 cup green bell pepper chopped
- ½ cup red bell pepper chopped
- ½ cup yellow bell pepper chopped
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 4 teaspoons salt
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoons file powder
- 12 cups chicken stock
- 1 whole chicken cut into parts (see my first note)
- 4 tablespoons Creole seasoning
- 3 cups all-purpose flour see my second note
- 4 cups vegetable oil
- 4 cups cooked rice
Instructions
- First note: You can substitute rotisserie chicken, but if you have the time, frying the chicken fresh makes a world of difference.
- Second note: You can skip making your own roux and add 3/4-1 cup of store-bought roux. I recommend making your own, but it does take time and you definitely don’t want to burn it if you do.
- Preheat your oven to 350 F. Place the sausage slices onto baking pans and bake until they are starting to brown on the edges, 30-45 minutes. Remove from oven.
- Heat the olive oil in a very large pot over medium high heat. Add in 3 cups of the onion, 2 cups of the celery, and 1 1/2 cups of the peppers. Also add the bay leaf. Cook until the onions start to brown, 15-20 minutes.
- Add the remaining onion, celery and bell pepper. Reduce heat to medium and cook another 2-3 minutes or until the onion you just added starts to turn clear.
- Stir in the garlic, salt, thyme, black and white pepper, cayenne, and file. Reduce heat to low and cook another 3-4 minutes.
- Add in the chicken stock and sausage. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally and skimming off any oil off of the surface.
- If you are using precooked chicken, skip down to step #13.
- Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil over medium high heat. Combine 2 cups of the flour and 4 teaspoons of Creole seasoning in a shallow bowl.
- Season the chicken with Creole seasoning. Working in batches, dredge the chicken in the flour mixture and fry until brown and crispy, about 5 minutes per side. Remove to a paper towel lined plate.
- Add the chicken to the pot and continue simmering another 45 minutes or until the chicken is done and is starting to fall off of the bone.
- Remove the chicken pieces and let cool. Remove the skin. Remove the meat from the bones and shred.
- If you are using store bought roux, skip to step #16.
- Once the oil from frying the chicken has cooled slightly, pour the oil through a sieve. You need just over 3/4 cups of oil to make a roux.
- Heat the frying pan and add the oil back in. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of the flour. Bring to a simmer, and stir constantly for 15-20 minutes or until the roux is the color of brown chocolate. Remove from heat and let cool for 15 minutes.
- Bring pot back to a boil and skim off any oil.
- Slowly add the roux to the pot, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to a simmer and simmer another 30 minutes.
- Serve over cooked rice.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are approximate.