Gumbo

The Rules of Gumbo

Like Louisiana cuisine in general, gumbo mixes, matches, and blends. It creates something glorious from sundry elements. Both Cajun and Creole, the cooking canon of this multicultural meal honors only a few rules. It must contain rice that is cooked separately and added after the soup itself is made. It should start with a roux made of flour and fat (traditionally lard). And it must be thickened as it cooks, using either okra or filé powder.

Virtually no element is taboo. A culinary explorer will encounter seafood gumbo made with crawfish, shrimp, crab and / or oysters. Sausage gumbo often welcomes duck or chicken. During Lent, you might find meatless gumbo z’herbs. Varieties of greens take the place of seafood or meats.

A Dish That Belongs to Everyone

Gumbo is America’s great multicultural meal. People think of it as Louisianian. It is in fact the official state cuisine. But people from the Lowcountry to the Mobile Bay consider gumbo a symbol of their culinary identity, too. Its roots are French (like bouillabaisse), Spanish (the inclusion of celery, onions and peppers is basically sofrito) and Choctaw Indian (filé powder is ground sassafras leaves). Its name comes from the African bantu word kingombo. That means okra – a fundamental ingredient.

Do It Yourself

Recipe for gumbo.

Restaurants With This Dish

Alex’s Tavern

MEMPHIS, TN

Boudin King

JENNINGS, LA

Hell’s Backbone Grill

BOULDER, UTAH

Wintzell’s Oyster House - West Indies Salad
Wintzell’s Oyster House

MOBILE, AL

The Cottage Restaurant

ALEXANDRIA, LA

One cluster of crab legs, dripping with butter
DeShawn’s Seafood and Chicken

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC

Discuss

What do you think of Gumbo?

3 Responses to “Gumbo”

Roy Campos

August 7th, 2023

Liuzz’s by the Track creole gumbo looked the best how could I get his recipe

Reply

Don Mader

December 21st, 2022

Absolutely love Gumbo!!

Reply

David

April 22nd, 2022

I love the show. I want to start using some of the recipes especially Gumbo. Thanks

Reply

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