Name: Gullah Geechee Seafood Gumbo Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Gullah Geechee
Ingredients: 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 large onion, diced; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 lb okra, sliced; 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes; 6 cups seafood or chicken broth; 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1/2 lb crab meat; 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced; 2 bay leaves; 2 tsp Cajun seasoning; 1 tsp thyme; 1/2 tsp cayenne; Salt to taste; Cooked rice for serving; File powder for serving

A rich, dark roux-based gumbo with shrimp, crab, and okra. This Gullah Geechee gumbo recipe is a Lowcountry celebration in a bowl.

Ingredients

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 large onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb okra, sliced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
6 cups seafood or chicken broth
1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 lb crab meat
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
2 bay leaves
2 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp cayenne
Salt to taste
Cooked rice for serving
File powder for serving

Instructions

Make the roux: Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until dark brown (color of chocolate), about 20 minutes. Do not burn.
Add onion, bell pepper, and celery (the 'holy trinity'). Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Add okra and cook 5 minutes, stirring. Add diced tomatoes, broth, bay leaves, Cajun seasoning, thyme, and cayenne. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add sausage and cook 10 minutes. Add shrimp and crab meat. Cook 5 more minutes until shrimp is pink.
Season with salt. Remove bay leaves. Serve over rice with file powder on top.

💡 Pro Tip: The roux is the heart of gumbo. Take your time getting it dark — a light roux won't give you that deep, nutty flavor. File powder (ground sassafras) is traditional.