Easy Southern Comfort: Paula Deen Gumbo Recipe You’ll Love

Paula Deen’s gumbo represents a soulful culinary journey through southern comfort food traditions.

Robust flavors dance across your palate with every spoonful of this legendary recipe.

Rich, complex seasonings merge seamlessly in a pot of pure deliciousness.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this beloved stew, balancing spices and textures with remarkable skill.

Southern kitchens buzz with excitement when this fragrant dish simmers on the stovetop.

Warm, inviting aromas fill the room, promising a meal that connects family and friends.

Prepare to transform simple ingredients into a memorable feast that celebrates regional cooking heritage: Let’s get cooking!

Why Paula Deen’s Gumbo Is the Ultimate Comfort Food

• Savor Complex Flavor Layers: This gumbo delivers a mouthwatering symphony of tastes where smoky sausage, tender chicken, and succulent shrimp dance together with rich roux and aromatic vegetables. Each spoonful tells a delicious story of Louisiana's culinary heritage.
• Master an Authentic Cooking Technique: Creating the perfect roux requires patience and skill, transforming simple ingredients into a deep, nutty base that becomes the soul of traditional gumbo. This method elevates home cooking from basic to restaurant-quality with just a whisk and careful attention.
• Celebrate Hearty One-Pot Comfort: Packed with protein and bursting with robust flavors, this gumbo serves as a complete meal that warms you from inside out. Perfect for family gatherings, weekend meals, or when you crave something extraordinarily satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize with Endless Variations: While honoring classic technique, this recipe welcomes personal touches like adjusting spice levels, swapping proteins, or adding extra vegetables. Home cooks can make this dish uniquely their own while respecting its authentic Louisiana roots.

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Gumbo

• Chicken: Tender protein base for the gumbo, preferably bone-in pieces for more flavor.
• Smoked Sausage: Adds smoky depth and rich flavor to the dish.
• Shrimp: Delicate seafood that brings a sweet ocean taste, best when fresh or quickly thawed.

• Onion, Green Bell Pepper, Celery: Classic Cajun trinity that provides foundational flavor and texture.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that enhances overall taste profile.
• Green Onions: Fresh garnish with a mild onion kick.
• Okra: Traditional gumbo vegetable that helps thicken the stew and adds unique texture.
• Parsley: Fresh herb for bright finishing garnish.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking fat for browning meats and creating roux.
• Margarine: Used for roux and sautéing vegetables.
• All-Purpose Flour: Key ingredient for creating rich, dark roux.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami and depth to the dish.
• Beef Bouillon Cubes: Provides concentrated meaty flavor.
• Hot Water: Liquid base for the gumbo.
• Stewed Tomatoes: Adds acidity and slight sweetness.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balanced flavor.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Gumbo

Step 1: Sear the Meats

Brown chicken and sausage for deep flavor. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat vegetable oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden on both sides, then remove. Add smoked sausage and brown, then set aside.

Step 2: Create the Magical Roux

Transform oil into a rich, nutty base. Sprinkle all-purpose flour into the oil and add margarine. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly for 10 minutes until the roux turns a deep chocolate brown. Let it cool slightly.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic cloves
• Green bell pepper
• Chopped celery stalks

• Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped

Cook for another 10 minutes.

Step 4: Combine and Slow Simmer

• Stewed tomatoes
• Frozen okra

Cover and simmer for another hour.

Step 5: Final Touches and Serve

• Sliced green onions
• Cooked shrimp
• Fresh chopped parsley

Pro Tips for Paula Deen’s Gumbo

• Blend Broths Brilliantly: Combine homemade and store-bought chicken stocks for a more complex, layered flavor profile that elevates the entire gumbo experience.
• Garnish Generously: Sprinkle chopped green onions and additional parsley right before serving to add a vibrant, fresh color and crisp texture that cuts through the rich stew.
• Control Consistency Carefully: Monitor the gumbo's thickness throughout cooking, using warm broth sparingly to maintain the perfect texture without compromising the intense flavors.
• Layer Seasoning Strategically: Season each ingredient individually before combining, allowing individual flavors to develop and create a more nuanced, deeply satisfying taste.
• Craft Roux Cautiously: Develop the roux slowly over medium heat, stirring continuously to prevent burning and achieve a deep, nutty brown color that forms the flavor foundation of the dish.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Gumbo

• Freezer Preservation: Lock in maximum flavor by dividing gumbo into individual portion-sized containers before freezing. This strategy prevents repeated thawing and ensures each serving tastes freshly made. Label containers with dates to track storage duration.
• Cooling Technique: Spread gumbo in a shallow wide container to accelerate cooling speed and prevent bacterial growth. Never leave hot gumbo sitting at room temperature longer than two hours. Use a quick-chill method by placing the container in an ice bath to rapidly lower temperature.
• Reheating Strategy: Restore gumbo's rich texture by adding a splash of broth or water when warming to prevent drying out. Stir occasionally during reheating to distribute heat evenly and maintain consistent flavor profile. Microwave works well for quick warming, but stovetop provides more controlled, gentle heat restoration.

Creative Twists on Paula Deen’s Gumbo

• Seafood Sensation: Replace chicken and sausage with a mix of crab, shrimp, and crawfish for a pure Louisiana coastal experience.
• Vegetarian Comfort: Swap meats with firm tofu, extra vegetables like mushrooms, and use vegetable broth to create a hearty plant-based version.
• Spicy Cajun Kick: Increase cayenne pepper, add jalapeños, and include andouille sausage for a more intensely flavored gumbo with extra heat.
• Light and Lean: Use skinless chicken breasts, turkey sausage, and reduce oil quantity to create a healthier alternative without compromising traditional flavors.

Final Thoughts on Paula Deen’s Gumbo

Paula Deen’s authentic gumbo recipe weaves Louisiana’s culinary magic into each spoonful.

Southern comfort radiates through this hearty dish, connecting generations of home cooks.

Louisiana’s rich tradition shines in this complex, flavor-packed masterpiece.

Generations of Creole heritage dance across taste buds with remarkable depth and soul.

Complex layers of seasoned meats, aromatic vegetables, and carefully constructed roux create an unforgettable dining experience.

Gumbo’s soulful essence beckons passionate cooks to embrace kitchen creativity, share stories, and spread delicious memories – so grab your pot, invite friends, snap a picture, and let this extraordinary recipe inspire your next culinary adventure.

Paula Deen Gumbo Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Paula Deen’s authentic gumbo brings Louisiana’s soulful culinary heritage to life with rich, hearty flavors. Simmering with andouille sausage, tender chicken, and a deep, dark roux, this classic dish invites diners to savor the warmth of Southern comfort cooking.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 3 large boneless chicken breast halves
• ½ lb small deveined and cooked shrimp
• 1 lb cut into ¼ inch slices smoked sausage

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 large chopped onion
• 3 stalks chopped celery
• 1 seeded and chopped green bell pepper
• 4 sliced, white and green parts green onions
• 8 cloves minced garlic
• 2 cups frozen sliced okra
• ¼ bunch stems and leaves flat leaf parsley
• chopped fresh parsley

Liquids, Thickeners, and Seasonings:

• 1 (14 ounces / 400 grams) can stewed tomatoes with juice
• 4 cups hot water
• 5 beef bouillon cubes
• ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 5 tablespoons margarine
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• salt to taste
• black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the proteins by seasoning chicken with salt and pepper. In a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken thoroughly on both sides, then set aside. Repeat the process with smoked sausage, browning and removing from the pot.
2. Create a rich roux by sprinkling all-purpose flour into the remaining oil and adding 2 tablespoons of margarine. Continuously stir over medium heat for approximately 10 minutes until the mixture transforms into a deep mahogany color. Allow the roux to cool slightly.
3. Restore the Dutch oven to low heat and melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of margarine. Incorporate finely chopped onion, minced garlic, diced green bell pepper, and chopped celery. Sauté the vegetables for 10 minutes until they become soft and fragrant.
4. Enhance the flavor profile by stirring in Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and ¼ bunch of fresh parsley. Continue cooking and stirring for an additional 10 minutes to develop depth of flavor.
5. Dissolve beef bouillon cubes in hot water, whisking thoroughly to eliminate any lumps. Return the previously browned chicken and sausage to the pot. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
6. Cover the pot and let the gumbo simmer for 45 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Introduce stewed tomatoes and frozen okra, then continue simmering for another hour.
7. In the final moments of cooking, add sliced green onions, cooked shrimp, and freshly chopped parsley. Serve the gumbo piping hot, accompanied by steamed rice if desired.

Notes

• Sprinkle chopped parsley leaves just before serving to brighten the rich, complex flavors and add a fresh, herbal note to the gumbo.
• Have extra warm broth nearby to adjust the gumbo’s consistency if it becomes too thick during simmering, ensuring a perfect texture without losing depth.
• Let the gumbo simmer gently after adding meat and water, allowing the chicken to become incredibly tender and the flavors to blend seamlessly.
• Build a more complex taste by seasoning chicken, sausage, and vegetables individually, creating layers of flavor that complement each other.
• Create the roux with patience, stirring constantly over medium heat until it reaches a deep golden brown color, which provides the signature richness and depth of authentic gumbo.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 1500 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg