This recipe for Chicken, Sausage, and Shrimp Gumbo starts with a dark roux which gives the gumbo tons of amazing flavor. Plus, I’m showing you my tips and tricks for making the perfect dark roux the easy way!
As I mentioned back over in my Chicken and Sausage Gumbo post, there are seemingly two factions when it comes to gumbo – gumbo with tomatoes and gumbo without tomatoes. In an effort to please everyone, I’m sharing versions of both.
This Chicken, Sausage, and Shrimp Gumbo includes tomatoes and shrimp for more of a seafood variation on the classic.
I really like how the acid of the tomatoes helps to cut through the thick stew, but I honestly love both versions. It just depends on my mood. The process of making both recipes is nearly identical with the exception of a few ingredients. So, this post is going to virtually mirror the other one, with the exception of those ingredients.
And there’s some really great, super useful information in this post, so even if you’re a “jump to recipe” kind of person, you’re probably going to want to take a few minutes to read through this post.
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 based on the oven, cooking vessel, and elevation, so watch for the right color. Once 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.
Shrimp
In the photos, you’ll see that I used peeled, deveined, tail-on shrimp. I think the shrimp tails add a little bit of flavor to the gumbo, and they’re prettier to look at. But it’s not super practical to pull the shrimp out of the gumbo and pull the tails off to eat them. So, using peeled, deveined, tail-off shrimp makes it easier. It’s just a matter of personal preference.
And because it’s super easy to overcook shrimp and turn them into rubber, I recommend adding the shrimp at the end of the cook time. The residual heat should cook the shrimp in about 5 minutes.
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, Sausage, and Shrimp 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
- 2 (14-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 pound andouille or cajun smoked sausage, sliced
- 6 cups shredded cooked chicken*
- 1 pound okra, trimmed and chopped** ((frozen works, too))
- salt
- pepper
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined***
- 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 undrained tomatoes. Stir to combine. 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.
- Once cooked, remove from the heat and stir in the shrimp. The hot stock will cook the shrimp through in about 5 minutes.
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
* 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.
Erick Lopez
How many servings is this recipe for
I’ve got 10 servings on the recipe card for this one.
Susie
Trying this one out. I don’t see when the tomatoes go in. Did I miss it? Can someone clarify?
Hi Susie! The undrained tomatoes go in with the chicken broth under the “Add The Stock” step.
Renee Armstrong
Mine turned out pretty good. W/O
Okra & tomatoes.
Glad you enjoyed it! I just made some roux today for gumbo tomorrow! 🙂
Erica
Hi! It’s Erica again (March 2023). It took me a while, but I finally made this again. Thanks for the advice on seasoning amounts. I upped the salt a bit since I used homemade stock and I don’t add salt to it. I increased the Cajun seasoning a little as well. It definitely has the kick i was looking for, lol.
Crazy enough, my roux was done (milk chocolate) in an hour via the oven. It was beautiful looking, so I didn’t press my luck and cook longer. I took your advice and simmered a whole chicken. Holy smokes! That was awesome! Never did that before. I will so be doing that again and not just for gumbo. I have always been so intimidated by whole chickens. How freaking easy was that?!! Although…. I had to go hunt down instructions. You don’t have a recipe posted. You should do that!
I’m a pretty experienced home cook (chef… we are all chefs!) but you really taught me a lot.
Thank you, Chef. I’m very grateful for all the time and effort you put into sharing your knowledge.
Now, off I go to share this delicious meal!
It looks perfect, Erica! So glad you enjoyed it. I’ll see what we can do with that chicken post! 🙂
Natalie Bradshaw
Its such a great and fairly easy recipe that is so delish!! The only problem is I always forget to take a picture because we are starving to eat after smelling it cook all day!! I always say “Maybe the next time I will remember!!”
Ha! No worries! I’m just glad to hear you’ve enjoyed it!
NatalieD
I cooked this Gumbo recipe on short notice. So I made my roux on top of the stove, I added shrimp and fresh stewed tomatoes. It was absolutely delicious. Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge and secrets with us!
Awesome, Natalie! Love hearing that. Always happy to help!
Amanda
This worked perfectly for me and the oven trick for the roux is game changing, lol. I’m pretty slow with chopping stuff (really need to get some sharper knives, lol) so while the roux baked, I was able to chop up everything else and boil some seasoned chicken breasts. I chose to omit the tomatoes this time since I just wanted a standard gumbo. I printed this recipe as I definitely will use it again in the future. Thank you!
So glad it turned out great for you, Amanda!
Stephanie
Roux in the oven is genius and it turned out perfectly. Very tasty. Next time I will add quite a bit more creole seasoning. I didn’t take a picture because it looked just like yours!
Love hearing that it turned out great for you, Stephanie!
Loralee
I made just as listed my “Roo” was nice and dark!!! (Stovetop) It was soooo good
Looks perfect! Glad you enjoyed it, Loralee!
Jessica
My m-i-l made this, and it was WAY too much oil. The flavor was good, but just definitely too much oil. Will not be making this recipe without omitting some of the oil.
Hey, Jessica! Sorry to hear y’all had issues. Nearly all roux start with equal parts fat and flour. In this case, the only variables that could have added more oil are improper measurement or a really fatty sausage. Do you happen to know which brand she used?
Katie
This recipe is a HIT!! I esp love making the roux in the oven. Cause let’s face it….this is a lotta work. But so so good. Everybody here for the Super Bowl raved.
Awesome! Love hearing that!
Thomas Kraus
I had a party for 12 last night and before they left they all wanted a copy of the recipe 👏
I’d say that’s high praise! So glad to hear everyone enjoyed it!
Andrew Betrix
I made this! It was super delicious, I used hatch green chili sausage did all else as directed, perfection 😋
Looks delish! Glad it turned out great for you!
Kim
Did you use okra and oven or stovetop for roux?
Drew
So we are making your gumbo recipe and we are at the “simmer” point…it still had a little sour roux taste…is it because it hasn’t simmered and the flavors haven’t gelled? We are about to put the meat in -we only used 6 cups of chicken stock?
If a roux gets too dark or scotched, it can develop a bitter taste. Do you think that might be what happened?
Dennis Valentino
Read the whole thing and I’m loving it… never made an oven roo. I will do the stove top labor of love because I know good things take time. I also use homemade shrimp stock in place of the chicken stock… I cook the shrimp butterflied whole then remove and pull shells .Another labor of love but if you stirred a roux for an hour over a stove what the heck😂 No chicken in my gumbo but I do add lump blue crab meat with the shrimp at the end…I call it my Combo Gumbo👍👌
Great tips! Thanks, Dennis!
ulba m brantley
good morning, i ran across your recipe for chicken sausage shrimp gumbo, I have read it over and over to get inmy head lol this morning 5-20-23. I want to try the oven method for the roux, I think I understand, I’m making a large pot for about 8 people and some left over for tomorrow after church, how much flour and vegetable oil to use and you didn’t mention water in the oven method. I have made gumbo all my life, 72 yrs now, sometime the roux comes out good, then sometimes the gumbo becomes more like stewed chicken soup lol but with flavor. i’m so excited to try your method and many of your other recipes I have been looking at. comfort food is what its all about in texas. keep up with all you do, God Bless you and your lovely family, Eula
I think I’d stick to this recipe. You’ll be able to comfortably feed 8 folks and have leftovers. I don’t use water, just the stock. Hope it turns out great for you!
Kelly Fletcher
Thanks for the recipe, Stacey, and especially for all the added tips and info. I volunteered to make soup for for a group dinner, and gumbo was requested… but I’d never cooked or even eaten it. Hard to believe there are many recipes, so many *strong* opinions…on a stew! Of all the recipes I looked at, I chose yours because it was informative, easy to follow, and didn’t immobilize with a lot of “thou shalt” and “thou shalt not” statements—it made all the small decisions easy. And it turned out great! So thanks again!
Thanks, Kelly! It’s comments like these that make all the work worth it! So glad it turned out great for you!
Amber
What if I don’t have a Dutch oven?
A large, heavy bottoms pot will work.
Shirl
I am Creole from southern Louisiana, called the heart of Cajun country. I prefer to make brown or dark roux on the stovetop or heat some tablespoons of a jar roux like Savoie’s. To keep the roux from getting too dark, I add the aromatics just as the roux gets to the brown stage and then add water or broth and boil the roux for an hour. After browning a cut-up hen, seasoned with cajun seasoning, I boil the hen in the roux/ broth mixture until it starts to get tender. This adds a lot of flavor. I will then add dried shrimp, andouille, and/or tasso and bring to a boil. The simmer 30 minutes. Fresh or frozen shrimp and/or crabmeat, if desired, is added the last 15 minutes of the cooking time. I make two kinds of okra gumbo–but the “water gumbo” I described is usually served with file’ and hot sauce, rice and a side of potato salad.
Thanks for these great tips, Shirl!
Erica
Thank you so much for the roux hack! Making it in the oven is a game changer. I may have cooked it a little too long as it ended up dark brown, but the flavor is still great. I know you said to add more creole seasoning and the salt and pepper to taste, but it would be great to have an estimate of how much S&P, especially for someone who has never made gumbo before. I definitely will use more creole seasoning next time. Other than that, this recipe is spot on and I am going to make again.
So glad to hear you enjoyed it! The amount of salt in the broth and such can have a big effect on the amount of salt the recipe will need and since that varies by brand, it’s hard to say. I would imagine 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt – or maybe even more.