Best 11 Easy Gumbo Okra Soup Recipes

GOOD NEW ORLEANS CREOLE GUMBO

Steps:

• Make a roux by whisking the flour and 3/4 cup bacon drippings together in a large, heavy saucepan over medium-low heat to form a smooth mixture. Cook the roux, whisking constantly, until it turns a rich mahogany brown color. This can take 20 to 30 minutes; watch heat carefully and whisk constantly or roux will burn. Remove from heat; continue whisking until mixture stops cooking.
• Place the celery, onion, green bell pepper, and garlic into the work bowl of a food processor, and pulse until the vegetables are very finely chopped. Stir the vegetables into the roux, and mix in the sausage. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat, and cook until vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and set aside.
• Bring the water and beef bouillon cubes to a boil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot. Stir until the bouillon cubes dissolve, and whisk the roux mixture into the boiling water. Reduce heat to a simmer, and mix in the sugar, salt, hot pepper sauce, Cajun seasoning, bay leaves, thyme, stewed tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Simmer the soup over low heat for 1 hour; mix in 2 teaspoons of file gumbo powder at the 45-minute mark.
• Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in a skillet, and cook the okra with vinegar over medium heat for 15 minutes; remove okra with slotted spoon, and stir into the simmering gumbo. Mix in crabmeat, shrimp, and Worcestershire sauce, and simmer until flavors have blended, 45 more minutes. Just before serving, stir in 2 more teaspoons of file gumbo powder.

SHRIMP GUMBO WITH OKRA

Steps:

• Peel shrimp and toss shells with 1/2 tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Place seasoned shells into a pot with water, 1 tablespoon diced onion, and 1 tablespoon diced bell pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cover. Let cook for at least 2 hours; the longer it cooks, the more flavor will be in your stock.
• Meanwhile, devein shrimp by gently running a knife along the back; this will also make your shrimp plump nicely when cooking. Toss shrimp in remaining Cajun seasoning and place in the refrigerator.
• Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add flour slowly, stirring constantly with a whisk or wooden spoon. When all flour is added, continue stirring frequently until roux turns brown in color and has a nutty aroma, about 5 minutes. Add remaining onion and bell pepper; saute with roux until onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in tomato paste.
• Stir in tomatoes, okra, and shrimp stock slowly. Add crab boil seasoning. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer and let cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Stir in shrimp and continue cooking until shrimp are bright pink but not tough, about 20 minutes.

EASY GUMBO

Steps:

• 1. Cut sausage into 1/4 inch pieces. Place sausage & onion in soup pot with a little oil & stir fry a few minutes until sausage is browned & onions are tender.
• 2. Add chicken broth & rice to pot. Bring to a boil for about 10 minutes.
• 3. Add tomatoes, okra, chicken, cayenne pepper & garlic. Mix together well. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes. Add more garlic or cayenne if you want more. Also, add more chicken broth if you want it more soupy.
• 4. Stir in thawed shrimp. Let simmer 5-10 minutes. NOTE: I use the precooked shrimp. If you cook shrimp too long, it will be rubbery. Taste even better as leftovers the next day. Yummy with cornbread, hushpuppies or hoe cakes.

SHRIMP AND OKRA GUMBO

Steps:

• Season the shrimp with salt, pepper and cayenne to taste and set aside. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the okra and saute for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the tomato paste, tomato, onion, garlic, celery and green bell pepper and saute for 15 more minutes.
• Add the water and season to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes. Add the shrimp and simmer for 20 more minutes. Finally, add the green onion to the soup and stir thoroughly.

GRANNY'S OKRA SOUP

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes, lima beans, okra, potatoes, corn, green beans, carrots, and tomato paste in a large soup pot. Pour chicken stock over mixture and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables begin to soften, about 15 minutes.
• Season ground beef with garlic powder, celery salt, and onion powder. Set aside.
• Heat butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic when butter stops bubbling; cook and stir for 1 minute. Spread ground beef evenly in the pan. Cook until it has a nice brown sear, stirring minimally to end up with mostly medium-sized chunks, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain skillet and add beef, onions, and garlic to the soup pot.
• Bring soup mixture to a boil; reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook until vegetables and beef have cooked down, 1 to 2 hours.

CHICKEN AND OKRA GUMBO

Steps:

• Place chicken and water in a large kettle. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30-45 minutes or until chicken is tender. , Remove chicken; reserve broth. Set chicken aside until cool enough to handle. Remove chicken from bones; discard bones and cut into meat into cubes; set aside. , In a soup kettle, combine oil or drippings and flour until smooth. Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium. Cook and stir about 5 minutes more or until mixture is reddish-brown (the color of a penny). Turn the heat to high. Stir in 2 cups reserved broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Add the onions, celery, green pepper and garlic; cook and stir for 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, okra, bay leaves, basil, salt, pepper and pepper sauce. Cover and simmer for 1 hour. Add chicken; heat through., Discard bay leaves. Garnish with green onions and parsley. Serve with rice.

NEW ORLEANS SEAFOOD OKRA GUMBO

Steps:

• 1. In a large crockpot, add all of the chopped vegetables, bay leaves and parsley; pour oil and water over the top. Don't stir. Cover and set cooker to high for 2 hours or until bubbling, then set it to low and cook 6 more hours (while you sleep). This not only cooks all the slime out of the okra but also cooks down the seasonings without having to stand over the stove for hours, stirring constantly. Alternate Method: set cooker on low for 9-10 hours (while you sleep).
• 2. Make the Shrimp Stock - In a very large soup pot put all the shrimp heads and peels along with the remaining stock ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 1 hour. Remove from heat and strain the solids out of the stock and discard. Use the stock for the gumbo and freeze and leftover stock for future use. (If you have a vent fan over your cooktop, turn it on high. It will not only smell like a full blown shrimp boil inside your house, but it will clean out your sinuses. I just happen to love the smell.)
• 3. First You Make A Roux - Most roux recipes call for equal parts oil and flour but it makes for a more liquid roux and leave unused oil floating in the finished product. I prefer to make a thick roux base where just about all of the fat is consumed by flour. At first it will be very thick but not chalky and all of the flour will be absorbed by the fat. As the roux begins to cook and brown, lower the heat and continue to stir or whisk. It will become smoother and a little thinner but still won't have excess fat in it. Remember, the darker the roux the less thickening power it has.
• 4. To begin the roux, in a large gumbo pot or soup pot heat oil just until hot, but not burning, and whisk in the flour, removing all lumps. Over medium to medium-low heat continue to frequently stir to keep flour from browning too fast. If your fire is too high the flour will burn (you will smell it). If this happens THROW IT OUT and start over with a lower heat. Gumbo is too expensive to ruin on burnt roux! Cook the roux until it is just a little darker than peanut butter. The darker the roux, the harsher the flavor, which is too strong for the delicate seafood. If you like your gumbo to "look" darker, add Kitchen Bouquet to the gumbo. It doesn't take three days to make a great roux but you don't want to rush it either. Making roux takes a little patience but it's not that difficult even for the beginner.
• 5. Finishing Off the Gumbo - If you're using oysters, strain the liquor through a strainer lined with a paper towel and reserve liquid. Discard grit and shell pieces. Refrigerate oysters and liquor until ready to use. To your perfect roux add the cooked down vegetables from the crock pot and enough shrimp stock, (or other liquids), to bring the gumbo to desired thickness. Don't start it out too thick because it will thicken a little as it simmers. At this point add the gumbo crabs only, NOT THE CRAB MEAT OR SHRIMP. If the gumbo becomes too thick, add more liquid and stir frequently. When the mixture begins to gently boil reduce heat, add the crab meat and simmer on low for at least 30-45 minutes, gently stirring occasionally to keep from sticking. The longer you simmer the gumbo the better it gets.
• 6. Taste for seasoning, and add salt, black & red pepper, & tobasco to taste. ** At this point if you're not going to serve the gumbo until the next day turn the fire off and add the raw shrimp. Stir well, cover pot and let cool down. When it's cool enough put gumbo in refrigerator overnight. The next day heat up as much as you need for that meal. The shrimp will finish cooking and won't get tough. Again, taste and adjust seasonings as needed because the shrimp will absorb a lot of salt and seasonings from the gumbo.
• 7. If you're going to serve it the same day you make it, add the shrimp and simmer the gumbo for 20-30 minutes. Taste again and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve over white rice with crusty french bread. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired. Enjoy!
• 8. Fast Roux Tips - In a large glass microwave safe bowl or mixing bowl you can add the oil/butter and flour, whisk well to remove lumps and cook on high for 2 mintues. Stir. Cook again for 2 minutes and stir. Then cook in 1 minute intervals, stirring well between each cooking segment until desired color is reached. CAREFUL - it will burn quickly so don't cook too fast! The bowl is very hot so be careful when removing from microwave. If you're using oysters or crawfish tails, add those with the shrimp. This gumbo freezes well.

OKRA GUMBO

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in garlic, onion, and green bell pepper, and saute until tender. Stir in okra, mushrooms, diced tomatoes and their liquid, tomato paste, file powder, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 40 minutes.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Stirring constantly, add flour, and cook 2 to 5 minutes, until a golden brown roux has formed.
• Spoon the roux into the okra mixture, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes, until thickened.

SEAFOOD OKRA GUMBO

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over high heat, add onions, celery and bell peppers, and saute 1 minute. Season with salt and 4 turns of pepper and saute 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, garlic, and shallots, and saute, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes more.
• Stir in stock, then add fish, Worcestershire, hot sauce, bay leaves, basil, oregano and thyme, and bring to a boil. Cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium.
• Stir in shrimp, okra and Creole seasoning, and simmer 10 minutes. Fold in oysters and crabmeat and simmer 5 minutes more. Skim the impurities from the top of the gumbo, turn the heat to high and boil vigorously 5 minutes. Slowly sprinkle in the file, stirring to incorporate thoroughly, and cook, stirring, 2 minutes more.
• To serve, ladle gumbo into bowls or soup plates, add rice and sprinkle with green onions.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William Morrow, 1993.

EASY GUMBO SOUP

Steps:

• Heat vegetable oil over medium heat in a large stock pot. Add garlic, celery, bell peppers, onion, oregano, Creole seasoning, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle flour over vegetable mixture and mix well. Cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
• Pour in chicken stock, water, rice, okra, sausage, tomatoes, and hot sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until sausage is heated through and vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in cooked chicken and heat through, about 5 minutes more. Adjust seasonings to taste.

EASY OKRA & BEEF GUMBO

Steps:

• Brown ground meat and onions. Season with cajun seasoning while browning. I like Tony Cacchere's. Add tomatoes and okra. Cover and simmer about 20 minutes, adding corn in the last 10 minutes. Serve over rice.