Authentic Shrimp Gumbo Recipe - A Family Favorite

Ingredients

• 1 pound smoked sausage links, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 0.25 pound bacon, chopped
• 2 cups chopped okra
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 0.67 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
• 0.67 cup finely chopped celery
• 0.5 cup chopped green onions
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 0.67 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups water
• salt to taste
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 pounds uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

Instructions

1. In a skillet over medium heat, brown your sausages. Place the sausages on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat and set aside. Drain the skillet, then cook bacon until it's nice and crisp, approximately 6 to 8 minutes. Remove bacon and add it to the plate with the sausages. Cook okra in the bacon drippings until it becomes tender, around 5 minutes. Drain the okra in a colander, and then drain the skillet again.
2. Combine the okra and tomatoes in the skillet over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and continue to simmer until the mixture has slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
3. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Introduce the onion, bell pepper, celery, green onions, parsley, and garlic. Cook until the onions turn a rich brown color, approximately 10 minutes. Transfer these vegetables to a bowl, leaving the melted butter and any accumulated vegetable liquid in the pot. Stir in flour, then reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring constantly, until the roux achieves a beautiful milk chocolate color, which should take about 30 to 45 minutes. Take care not to burn it.
4. Return the cooked vegetables to the pot and stir to ensure they are well coated with the roux. Whisk in 2 cups of water, then increase the heat to medium. Stir in salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Stir in the sausage, bacon, okra-tomato mixture, and the remaining 6 cups of water.
5. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and allow the gumbo to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the stew has thickened and the flavors have harmoniously blended together, about 45 minutes. Add the shrimp, and simmer until they turn pink and opaque, another 6 to 8 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and adjust seasonings as desired before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 344 kcal
• Fat Content: 22 g
• Fiber Content: 2 g
• Sugar Content: 3 g
• Sodium Content: 922 mg
• Protein Content: 24 g
• Cholesterol Content: 165 mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 13 g
• Saturated Fat Content: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g