This recipe for Chicken and Sausage Gumbo starts with a dark roux which gives it tons of amazing flavor. Plus, I’m showing you my tips and tricks for making the perfect dark roux the easy way!
Look, I’m just going to level with y’all here… I have avoided posting a recipe for gumbo for years. I’ve had plenty of requests, but I’ve intentionally not posted my version.
Now, folks are passionate about their gumbo. And the conversation about what should and shouldn’t go in gumbo is akin to the whole “sugar in cornbread” argument. Now for me, I say you put whatever you want in there that makes you happy, as I always say. But despite the fact that it’s literally a free recipe that folks can choose to make or not, I know some are going to whine and complain about it.
So I’ve just avoided it altogether. But I was reminded the other day about the fact that though we always have some that complain, there are tons that are supportive or are smart enough to keep quiet if they can’t be kind. And those folks are the reason that I’m sharing this recipe.
Now before we get started I’m giving you a fair warning. This post is going to be a beast, filled with tons of great info. But if you’re truly interested in making some seriously delicious gumbo, grab some sweet tea and buckle up, because here we go…
What goes in gumbo?
In my extensive research about gumbo history, I’ve found that much like the conversation of cajun versus creole, there seems to be two camps: gumbo with tomatoes and gumbo without tomatoes.
In an effort to appease both factions, I’m sharing this version without tomatoes and my Chicken, Sausage, and Shrimp Gumbo that includes tomatoes. It just felt like the best way to do justice to the recipe.
Now, if there’s any common ground in the gumbo debates, it’s over the roux. While some folks claim a creole gumbo uses a lighter roux, more often than not, I see most gumbo with a dark roux.
What is a roux?
A roux (pronounced roo) is normally a blend of equal parts fat and flour and is the base for many sauces, gravies, soups, and stews.
When a roux is cooked, the flour toasts and develops a deep, rich flavor. The darker you cook the roux, the more flavor it develops. So for a super rich thing like gumbo, you want a dark roux.
Another thing a roux does is helps to thicken sauces and such. Gravy is a great example. The thing is, though, the longer you cook a roux, the more it loses the ability to thicken things. A lighter roux will thicken more and a darker roux will thicken less. So when you use a dark roux, you have to use a lot of it. But the reality is, in gumbo, a roux is more about flavor than thickening power. We’re going to use something else to get this stew thickened up.
Now, let’s just address the elephant in the room…
Making a roux can be pretty intimidating. It requires LOTS of stirring for long periods of time and can scorch very easily. Once it’s scorched, it’s unusable and you have to start over again. Even the most seasoned cooks can burn a roux. I’ve been cooking since I was 8 years old and burned a batch while testing and perfecting this recipe. Sometimes it just happens – even when you’ve seemingly done everything right.
But what if I told you there was an easier way?
Well, there is!
How do I make a roux?
You have a few options. I’m going to cover the stovetop and oven methods here. Let’s start with my preferred method…
Cooking your roux in the oven takes all the guesswork and frequent stirring over a hot stove out of the equation. Many restaurant chefs do it this way.
The downside to oven roux? Well, it takes a little while in the oven. Like 2 to 4 hours. (This can vary a lot).
But it’s pretty much hands-off, so you can be prepping your other ingredients or binge-watching your favorite show while it does its magic.
You simply combine the equal parts of fat (vegetable, peanut, or canola oil) and all-purpose flour in a very large dutch oven and bake at 350°F for 2 to 4 hours, or until the roux develops a chocolate brown color. (This time can vary a lot based on the oven, cooking vessel, and elevation, so watch for the right color. One reader even said hers got to chocolate brown in about 45 minutes!)
Can I make the roux on the stovetop?
Absolutely. This is the more traditional way. If you do go the stovetop route, I’ve got a few tips for you.
Cooking over low heat is the safest way to make a dark roux. Some will say that cooking it on a higher temperature will speed the process along. While this is true, the higher heat also increases the risk of the flour scorching. So it’s a trade off.
Once the roux gets hot enough, bubbles will form on the top. This is normal. Once those bubbles dissipate, the roux will start darkening.
Stirring constantly is a requirement to keep the roux from burning.
I recommend using a large, heavy bottomed enameled cast iron dutch oven to make the roux for this recipe. That way you don’t have to transfer the roux to another vessel to make the gumbo. You can finish it right in the same dutch oven.
Using a wooden spatula, a flat ended wooden spoon, or gumbo paddle allows you to scrape the flour bits that stick to the bottom of the pot off and keep them from burning.
Roux Colors
As I said before, different recipes call for different colors of roux. The roux color is based on how long it’s cooked.
I give you some estimates on how long it will take to reach the desired color, but that time will vary based on the method and your specific oven or stovetop. My estimates are simply guidelines, so give yourself enough time to get it right.
Regardless of which method you choose to make your roux, I recommend stopping at the milk chocolate color stage as the residual heat will keep cooking the roux once it’s taken away from the heat. The roux will also darken some more once you add in the other ingredients.
What’s the best fat to use for making a roux?
When it comes to choosing the fat for your roux, I recommend a neutral oil with a higher smoke point like vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil.
Some gumbo traditionalists say butter is best and while I don’t disagree on every level, butter has a few disadvantages. Sure, butter adds great flavor but, butter has a low smoke point which means it burns easily. The milk solids in butter also scorch easily, so I don’t recommend using butter to make dark rouxs. Butter is great for light rouxs for things like gravy or béchamel sauce, but if you want a dark roux, I recommend one of the oils above. If you must use butter, a clarified butter or ghee will generally produce better results since it has had the milk solids removed.
Once the roux is finished, the hard part is over. Seriously. The rest is easy peasy.
Can I make the roux in advance?
Once made and cooled, the roux can be put in an airtight container and stored for future use. When made with oil, it can be stored on the counter for a few days or in the refrigerator or freezer for much, much longer. Roux made with butter will need to be refrigerated.
Making the gumbo…
There are a few things worth mentioning as they relate to the ingredients in the gumbo.
Chicken and Stock
To give you options, I simply listed 6 to 8 cups of chicken stock and shredded cooked chicken. You can use plain shredded cooked chicken or even a shredded rotisserie chicken.
I prefer to use that 2 to 4 hours it takes to cook the roux in the oven and simmer a 5 to 6 pound chicken with some onions, celery, garlic, salt, and pepper and then use that for my shredded chicken and then strain the stock to use as well. It’s totally up to you. Either way way will produce delicious results.
Sausage
While andouille has its roots in France, in the US it most commonly refers to a cajun style smoked sausage that has a little heat. It’s the sausage most traditionally used in gumbo. If you can’t find andouille, it’s possible to find another cajun style sausage in your grocery store. I most frequently use Conecuh Cajun Style Smoked Sausage, but realize not everyone can get their hands on that. If all else fails, any kind of smoked sausage will work in a pinch.
Okra versus Filé
As I mentioned earlier, the dark roux has virtually no power to thicken the gumbo once it’s been cooked that long to achieve that dark color. I prefer to use okra in this case. It does a great job of thickening the gumbo and giving it flavor. I actually happen to prefer gumbo with okra.
I use fresh okra when I have it, but normally can’t get fresh during the colder winter months when I want gumbo, so I often use frozen and it works just fine.
I realize that some folks characterize that thickening power as “slimy” and don’t want to include it in their gumbo. Some folks say that cooking or roasting the okra first eliminates that mucilage that gives the okra its unique texture. That’s true, but eliminating that mucilage also eliminates the okra’s ability to thicken the gumbo up. So, doing that will get you some nice okra flavor, but no thickening power.
So, if okra isn’t your thing entirely, some filé powder will do the trick.
Filé is made from ground sassafras leaves. Once ground, the filé has virtually no flavor, but will help to thicken the gumbo. You’ll want to add the filé at the end of cooking and use it sparingly. It has a tendency to make the gumbo stringy. Filé is French and literally translates to “spun.”
And yes, you can use both okra and filé, but do so sparingly. We’re making gumbo here, not jello. 🤣
Recipe Card
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup vegetable oil (plus 1 tablespoon)
- 3 ribs celery, diced
- 2 large yellow onions, diced
- 2 large green bell peppers, seeded and diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons creole seasoning
- 6 to 8 cups chicken stock
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 pound andouille or cajun smoked sausage, sliced
- 6 cups shredded cooked chicken*
- 1 pound okra, trimmed and chopped** ((frozen works, too))
- salt
- pepper
- cooked white rice, sliced green onion, and hot sauce for serving
Instructions
Make the Roux
- Option 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup oil in a very large oven-proof dutch oven. Bake uncovered for 2 to 4 hours, stirring 2 or 3 times, or until the roux is milk chocolate brown in color. Once done, you'll finish the gumbo on the stovetop. (This time can vary a lot based on the oven, cooking vessel, and elevation, so watch for the right color. One reader even said hers got to chocolate brown in about 45 minutes!)
- Option 2: Combine the flour and oil in a very large dutch oven on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring pretty much constantly, until the roux is a milk chocolate brown color. Be sure to frequently scrape the bottom of the pot when stirring. I like to use a flat-ended wooden spatula or gumbo paddle for this to ensure you get the bits off the bottom of the pot and keep them from burning. This process can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes – or longer – depending on the exact heat of your stove. Be sure not to burn your roux or your gumbo will taste burned. If you start seeing black flecks in the roux, it may be scorched. A quick taste will confirm. If so, you'll need to start your roux over. It's much better to undercook your roux than have it burn, but you will sacrifice flavor.
Sauté the Aromatics
- Place the dutch oven with the finished roux over medium heat and add the celery, onion, and bell pepper. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables have softened and the onions are translucent.
- Add the garlic and creole seasoning and cook for about 1 minute or until the garlic is fragrant.
Add the Stock
- Gradually add 6 cups of chicken stock, bay leaves, and thyme and stir. Add salt, pepper, and additional creole seasoning to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Sauté the Sausage
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil, add the sliced sausage and brown.
Add the Protein and Thicken
- Once the gumbo has simmered, add the cooked sausage and shredded chicken. Stir to combine. Add the okra and simmer uncovered for an additional 30 to 45 minutes or until thickened. Add additional broth, if desired. Spoon away any excess grease that may accumulate on the top. Remove the bay leaves.
Serve
- Serve the gumbo with hot cooked white rice, a sprinkle of sliced green onion, and a few dashes of hot sauce – if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Ryan
First attempt at gumbo for me. Can you add the cooked rice to the gumbo at the end and eat it that way?
I don’t see why not. Enjoy!
Molly Boczkowski
What should the measurement be of a finished Roux? 1 cup, 2 cups?
This produces roughly 2 cups of roux.
Debra Roberts
Definitely a 10
Thanks so much, Debra!
Lizz
First, I love that this recipe was meant to feed an army!
Second, the audacity of a roux made in the oven?? Well, it provided THE most flavorful, nutty and rich flavor that I missed so much from the south and I’ve passed this recipe on to everyone. Bravo, Sir. This was an absolute beautifully constructed meal.
Thanks, Lizz! I’m so glad to hear that you enjoyed it!
Kevin Felts James
Except for the bay … I can never seem to get it right, so I am omitting it.
Hope it turns out great for you!
Shawna
Stacey, I’ve made this several times and the roux is thin and the oil is not mixed in completely. I am wondering if my oven temperature is not accurate? Any ideas?
Hi Shawna! This happens sometimes when a roux sits. The good thing is that usually a vigorous stirring will usually get it all back combined. Even if it doesn’t full incorporate, it’s perfectly usable. Adding the other ingredients will help it all incorporate as you stir.
Sandy
At 62 I successfully made my first roux. Thank you for this very clear recipe. Great result!
Awesome! So happy to hear it, Sandy!!
Joan Curtis
I grew okra this summer specifically for this reason and then I dreaded the thought of spending hours in the kitchen. Baked roux? You saved my life! Crazy delicious recipe (I decided against the tomatoes this time around.) Thank you!! I may or may not pass on the baked roux secret. Ha. Happy new year!
Ha! So happy to hear this made the process a little easier! Happy New Year!!
Marlene
Would look to try your recipe for our Christmas meal. Would you please tell me how many servings this recipe makes.
Hi Marlene! The serving amount is right on the recipe card. I estimate this at 10 servings, but those will vary based on serving size. Merry Christmas!
Bea
Hi Stacey! I made this for the first time and it was incredible! Easy to follow instructions, excellent flavor profile… I would say it’s foolproof. (I’d heard of making roux in the oven, and I’ll never do it any other way 🙂 I’ve tried MANY gumbos with varying degrees of success but your recipe is fabulous. Looking forward to many more delicious recipes from you – Happy Holidays!!
Thank you so much, Bea! I’m so happy to hear my version turned out great for you!
Phillip Charles de Blanc
I made the gumbo exactly according to the directions and it was fantastic. We cooked the roux slowly at first then ramped up the heat until it was a nice medium brown. The gumbo came out nice and thick and loaded with flavor.
Awesome! So happy to hear it! Thanks for coming back to let me know.
KarlieKitten
Hi Stacey, I made your chicken and sausage gumbo for the first time and it came out fantastic! I’ve never had gumbo before so I don’t have anything to compare it to, but it was dark, rich, and so flavorful. This was also my first time making a roux, I made it stovetop, and I have a question…my roux reached chocolate-colored in less than 15 mins. It didn’t appear burnt or have black specks, I cooked it on med-high (heat marker 8 out of 10). Also, my roux was slightly thinner than expected, I spooned the flour into a 1 cup measure as opposed to scooping, and it remained a thick liquid instead of turning chunky and pastey. Any ideas on why these two phenomenon occurred? Thank you for the delicious recipes!
Hi Karlie! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate you trusting my recipe for your first foray into gumbo making! As for the quick cook time, the higher temperature is why it got dark so quickly. For most folks just beginning, starting with a super low temp is what I suggest, as it can be very easy to scorch. You should be commended for getting it perfect on the higher temp! Congrats! As for the thinner consistency, that’s also a result of the quick cook time. And it thickens the gumbo regardless of its consistency, so no worries there. All in all, it sounds like it worked out just as it should and you tackled a recipe even seasoned cooks often flub up. Well done!!
Carolyn
Bravo Stacey! I grew up in LA and you were “spot on” about how to prepare gumbo. I have never used the oven method, but will have to give it a try when the temperature finally cools down.
Thank you! happy to hear it got a native’s seal of approval! 🙂
Nicole Cantley
Hi Stacey! This recipe was delish spoken from a true New Orleanian! I made my roux per usual on the stove for about an hour, but would love to try the oven method next time. I used frozen okra, but boiled it for 3 mins and then rinsed well. I LOVE okra, but I don’t love the mucilage, even as a thickening agent, so next time I’ll use file. I used leftover whole chicken breast meat and grilled chicken thighs…made for a nice combo. Thanks for all your hard “test kitchen” work on this one! Certainly paid off!!!
Thanks, Nicole! I’m glad to hear this one passes the test!
Carolyn
Excellent job on the gumbo recipe! I grew up in Louisiana and this was spot on! I now live in Prattville. No arguments from me. (I like my roux very dark, no tomatoes, and usually file instead of okra.)
Thanks, Carolyn! I appreciate the endorsement!
Michelle Baker
Finally!!! I finally made gumbo that tastes like what I remember from that one Mardi Gras in the Florida panhandle! Thank you so much, Stacey! I have tried probably 30 times to make gumbo before this, using many different recipes and experimenting with different levels of roux-darkness, and this one, this recipe right here is the one that works! I am so happy. My family all loved this — one son had 3 bowls full. We served with brown rice because that’s the only kind we had on hand.
Just for reference. . .
I used my 6-quart (or it might be 8-quart) Le Creuset enamel coated dutch oven, and we live at 5600 feet elevation. My roux looked like semi-sweet chocolate after about an hour, so I grabbed it out. It did darken a little further as it cooked the veggies. I caved and only put in 12 ozs frozen diced okra instead of the full pound, but I regret that! A pound is what you should do. 🙂
This comment just put a HUGE smile on my face this morning! I labored and stressed so much over this recipe and this comment right here made it all worth it! I’m so glad y’all enjoyed it!
Kim
Thanks for the additional info, and I appreciate your research. 🙂 I’m excited to finish the gumbo tomorrow. Yay, Mardi Gras!
No problem! Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Kim
Hi, Stacey! I was excited to try your technique for an oven roux, but mine got to “milk chocolate” color in 46 minutes! Are you sure 350˚ is the right temp? I can’t imagine what would have happened if I had left it in there for 3-4 hours!
Hey, Kim! That’s amazing that yours cooked so quickly! Yep, I’m sure! I tested just this roux recipe by itself half a dozen times and there are others out on the internet that call for a similar amount of time (I looked just to be sure I wasn’t crazy! :)). This brings up a great point, though. Different ovens, cooking vessels, and elevations will yield different results. I try my best to offer cues for your senses outside of a standard time as well – just to help folks know when things are done. Since everyone knows the color of chocolate, it’s a good marker to use in this case. I’m going to make a note in this recipe just to try to make this a little more clear. Thanks for your comment and help in ensuring everyone ends up with a success!
DeAnne Coltrane
Some people may think this is cheating, but the jarred roux or already browned flour, tastes really good and makes gumbo less time consuming!
I’ve not tried it, but have heard good things! I’m all for a shortcut!
Gwen Howell
When you use the oven for roux, how often should it be stirred? thanks
I usually stir it about every 45 minutes or so.
Susan
Looks delicious, I too make a roux for my gumbo and I agree if it burns you just throw it out and start over! I have a Red’s Little school house cookbook and they use a roux for their tomato gravy which is a no fail recipe, so it is my go to anytime I make a roux. Will try your chicken, sausage and shrimp gumbo real soon. Your recipes and directions are always the best!
Thanks so much, Susan! I need to get my hands on that cookbook!
Aileen
Stacey, if I can’t get fresh okra, how much frozen should I use? This time of year the Texas okra is out of season. I love okra, slime or no slime haha!
I used a 1 pound bag of frozen okra in one of my tests for this recipe and it worked perfectly.