Best 7 Gumbo Zherbes With Perfect Rice Recipes

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**Gumbo Z'herbes: A Flavorful Journey through Louisiana Cuisine**

In the heart of Louisiana, where the bayous flow and the Creole culture thrives, lies a culinary treasure that embodies the spirit of the region: Gumbo Z'herbes. This hearty and flavorful dish is a symphony of textures and tastes that pays homage to the state's rich history and diverse culinary influences.

Gumbo Z'herbes is a unique variation of the classic gumbo, a dish that combines the culinary traditions of African, French, Spanish, and Native American cultures. This vegetarian version of gumbo celebrates the abundance of fresh herbs and vegetables found in Louisiana's fertile soils.

Our collection of Gumbo Z'herbes recipes offers a tantalizing array of flavors and cooking techniques to satisfy every palate. From the traditional to the contemporary, these recipes showcase the versatility of this iconic dish.

Dive into the authentic flavors of our classic Gumbo Z'herbes recipe, where a rich roux forms the base for a savory broth brimming with an array of fresh herbs, including parsley, thyme, and oregano. Tender okra, bell peppers, and tomatoes add texture and vibrant colors, while a hint of cayenne pepper brings a touch of warmth.

For those who prefer a more contemporary twist, our modernized Gumbo Z'herbes recipe introduces a medley of roasted vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts, which caramelize in the oven, adding a delightful depth of flavor to the dish. The addition of cremini mushrooms and baby spinach further enhances the complexity of this vegetarian delight.

For those with dietary restrictions, our gluten-free Gumbo Z'herbes recipe offers a delicious alternative that doesn't compromise on taste. Using a gluten-free roux and a variety of gluten-free flours, this recipe ensures that everyone can enjoy the vibrant flavors of this Louisiana classic.

And for those who love the convenience of a slow-cooker, our slow-cooker Gumbo Z'herbes recipe is a lifesaver. Simply toss all the ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning, and come home to a piping hot, flavorful gumbo that's perfect for a cozy dinner.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

LEAH CHASE'S GUMBO Z'HERBES



Leah Chase's Gumbo Z'Herbes image

The story of Leah Chase reads like a social history of New Orleans. Creole-born across Lake Pontchartrain, she started waitressing in 1941-part of the first group of female servers in the French Quarter-when the men were off at war. In '46, she began working at her in-laws' restaurant, Dooky Chase's, where jazz greats such as Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, and Sarah Vaughan would congregate. "There was no place else for them to eat when they came to town," Leah said. Then in the 1960s, with desegregation, Leah began "learning what they were doing on the other side," in places like Commander's Palace, where her clientele now had the opportunity to dine. For her, the strength of the SFA is its ability to transcend borders and bring people together over food. Every year on the Thursday before Easter, she used to cook up to 100 gallons of her Gumbo Z'Herbes, made with nine different types of greens. All of New Orleans, from Catholics to Jews, whites to blacks, would flock to her gumbo pot en masse. "The best way to know people is through food," she says. "Get them to talk about food. Talk over food. It might be about food, but you're also talking about issues."

Provided by Leah Chase

Time 2h50m

Yield Makes 10 to 12 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

5 cups chopped mustard greens
5 cups chopped collard greens
5 cups chopped turnip greens
3 cups chopped beet tops (5 oz.)
2 cups chopped cabbage
2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
2 cups chopped watercress
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped spinach
1 cup chopped carrot tops (1½ oz.)
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 pound smoked sausage, diced
1/2 pound smoked ham, diced
1/2 pound uncooked beef brisket, diced
1/2 pound dry Spanish chorizo or andouille sausage, diced
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons table salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/2 teaspoon filé powder
Hot cooked rice

Steps:

  • Combine first 11 ingredients and water to cover in a 15-qt. stockpot; cover. Bring to a boil over high heat (about 20 minutes). Uncover; boil, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes. Drain, reserving cooking liquid. Coarsely chop greens.
  • Combine smoked sausage and next 2 ingredients in pot with 2 cups reserved cooking liquid. Bring to a boil. Boil, stirring once, 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cook chorizo in hot oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or until browned. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels, reserving 3 Tbsp. drippings in skillet.
  • Make a roux: Stir flour into reserved drippings with a wooden spoon, and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until flour is medium brown (about 15 minutes; see "Master the Art of Making Roux," page 5, as a guide). Add flour mixture to mixture in stockpot, and stir well. Add chopped greens mixture and 5 cups reserved cooking liquid. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes. Stir in salt, thyme, red pepper, and chorizo. Cook, stirring occasionally, 40 minutes. Stir in filé powder; stir vigorously. Serve over hot cooked rice.

GUMBO Z'HERBES



Gumbo Z'herbes image

This hearty vegetable gumbo is traditionally eaten on Holy Thursday to fortify worshipers for Good Friday, a day of fasting and abstinence from meat. I've seen recipes that contain everything from chicken wings to spicy chaurice sausage (a Cajun cousin of chorizo) to smoked brisket. Custom also dictates that the gumbo is supposed to have an odd number of greens--five or seven or nine and as many as fifteen--for luck. Many recipes include foraged herbs such as peppergrass, as well as the green tops from radishes, carrots, and beets. Leah Chase, the Grande Dame of NOLA, is world famous for her Gumbo Z'herbes. At her restaurant, Dooky Chase, there are three lunch seatings on Holy Thursday, serving nearly five hundred guests. Most recipes are quite the production, featuring multiple pots and pureeing vast quantities of simmered greens. I've streamlined the recipe by using baby greens and prechopped greens to avoid pureeing them at the end. Aim for the odd number in any combination of "z'herbes" you'd like. This amount of liquid is suitable for 3 pounds of greens.

Provided by Virginia Willis

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

6 tablespoons pure olive oil, canola oil, or rendered bacon fat
1 pound chaurice, fresh chorizo, or hot pork Italian sausage, removed from casing
16 ounces andouille sausage, sliced
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 sweet onion, chopped
1 poblano pepper, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
6 garlic cloves
2 quarts homemade chicken stock, reduced-fat low-sodium chicken broth, or water
1 smoked ham hock (about 8 ounces)
1 (16-ounce) bag chopped collard greens, or 1 (1 1/2-pound) bunch collard greens, stems removed and leaves coarsely chopped
1 (12-ounce) bag chopped kale or baby kale
1 (16-ounce) box baby spinach leaves
1/2 cabbage (about 8 ounces), cored and thinly sliced
6 green onions, chopped
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Hot sauce, for serving
Cooked white rice, for serving

Steps:

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add both kinds of sausage; cook until the sausage is cooked through and the fat has rendered, about 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat to a plate.
  • Add the remaining 5 tablespoons oil to the pot. Add the flour and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until deep golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add the onion, poblano, and celery and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 45 to 60 seconds. Add the stock and stir to combine.
  • Plop the ham hock in and bring to a boil over high heat. Return the chorizo and andouille to the pot. Add the collard greens, kale, spinach, cabbage, green onions, and thyme. (You may need to let the greens cook a bit between additions so they will all fit in the pot. Don't be tempted to add additional liquid too soon: It's easy to add but hard to remove, and you want the gumbo to be dense and like stew, not soup.) Reduce the heat to maintain a simmer. Cook until the greens are tender, about 45 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper. Add hot sauce to taste. Serve ladled over cooked white rice with hot sauce on the side.

GUMBO Z'HERBES



Gumbo Z'Herbes image

This simple, vegetarian take on gumbo focuses on hearty greens made extra flavorful by simmering with the holy trinity onion, celery, and bell pepper. This would be great with hot sauce and toasted benne (sesame) seeds. Or, top each bowl with seared or grilled andouille or Conecuh® sausage.

Provided by John Somerall

Time 2h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 20

2 medium leeks
2 bunches collard greens
2 bunches turnip greens
2 bunches Lacinato kale
2 bunches rainbow chard
2 large stalks celery with leaves
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme, divided
1 medium head green cabbage, cored and chopped
2 tablespoons kosher salt, divided
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 large red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
8 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
2 leaf (blank)s fresh bay leaves
1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon file powder
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
3 cups cooked white rice

Steps:

  • Cut leeks in half lengthwise, then slice both white and green parts crosswise into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Remove and discard stems from collard greens, turnip greens, kale, and chard; chop all greens, keeping them separate. Dice celery stalks and reserve leaves for garnish.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add leeks and 1 tablespoon thyme; cook, stirring frequently, until leeks are tender and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add collard greens, turnip greens, and cabbage; cook, stirring frequently, until greens are wilted, about 5 minutes. Add kale, chard, and 1 tablespoon salt; cook, stirring frequently, until all greens are wilted, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and continue cooking greens, stirring frequently, until tender and no longer bitter, about 10 minutes. Remove greens from the pot and transfer to a large bowl; set aside until ready to use.
  • Wipe out the pot and melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until flour mixture is dark brown in color and very aromatic (try to get this mixture as dark as possible without burning it), about 5 minutes. Add bell pepper, onion, and diced celery; cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and remaining 1 tablespoon thyme; cook, stirring constantly, until tender and fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Whisk in vegetable broth. Add reserved braised greens, add bay leaves, black pepper, file powder, and crushed red pepper. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Season with remaining 1 tablespoon salt.
  • Serve over cooked rice and garnish with reserved celery leaves, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 231.7 calories, Carbohydrate 38.8 g, Cholesterol 15.3 mg, Fat 7 g, Fiber 8.2 g, Protein 7.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.9 g, Sodium 1282.7 mg, Sugar 5.6 g

GUMBO Z'HERBES



Gumbo Z'herbes image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 2h35m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 1/2 pounds salt meat or pickled pork, optional
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
5 bay leaves
3 quarts water
3 1/2 pounds assorted greens, such as collards, mustard or turnip greens, spinach, chard, and kale, washed, dried, and tough stems removed
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups chopped onions
1 cup chopped bell peppers
1 cup chopped celery
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
4 tablespoons butter, optional
Steamed white rice, for serving
File powder
Hot sauce, for serving

Steps:

  • Place the meat, if using, with the salt, cayenne, and bay leaves in a large deep pot and add water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook for 30 minutes. If using meat, remove it with a slotted spoon, chop it, and set aside.
  • Reduce the heat to medium and add the greens, a handful at a time, and blanch until they are wilted, about 5 minutes. Drain, reserving the liquid. Coarsely chop the greens. Set aside.
  • In the same pot, heat the oil over medium heat and add the onions, bell peppers, and celery. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are wilted and golden, about 10 minutes.
  • Add the meat, greens, reserved liquid, thyme, oregano, basil, and parsley. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the bay leaves. Adjust seasonings with salt, if desired. (If not using meat, the gumbo may need more salt.) Also, if no meat has been added, add 4 tablespoons butter to the pot just before removing from the heat.
  • Serve in deep soup bowls over steamed white rice with file powder passed at the table for guests to thicken the gumbo to their personal taste. Serve with hot sauce, if desired.

GUMBO Z'HERBES



Gumbo Z'herbes image

Provided by Emeril Lagasse

Categories     main-dish

Time 3h30m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

3 tablespoons rendered bacon fat
1 ham hock, about 2 pounds, with several 1/2-inch slits cut into it
2 cups chopped onions
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 bay leaves
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
5 assorted bunches of greens, such as spinach, collards, mustard greens, turnip greens, watercress, chicory, beet tops, carrot tops, or radish tops, washed, rinsed and chopped
1 bunch parsley, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1/2 small green cabbage, chopped
2 quarts chicken broth or 2 quarts water
Salt and pepper
File powder
Cooked white rice for serving with gumbo

Steps:

  • In a stockpot or large saucepan, heat the bacon fat. Add the ham hock and onions and cook for 10 minutes, until onions are softened and slits in ham hock have begun to open up. Add garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and cayenne pepper and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chopped greens, parsley, green onions and cabbage and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until greens are wilted. Add broth or water and increase heat to high. Bring to a boil, skim surface, and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 2 1/2 hours, until greens are very tender. Season with salt and pepper and add file, to taste, just before serving in large bowls over hot white rice. (Do not allow gumbo to boil after adding the file.)

GUMBO Z'HERBES



Gumbo Z'Herbes image

Almost anything green is game here: Good options include turnip or beet greens, spinach, kale, fresh herbs, and green onions.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Pork Recipes

Time 3h25m

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 ham hocks (about 1 1/2 pounds total), with several 1/2-inch slits cut into them
1 medium onion, chopped
3 bunches (3 pounds total) mixed collard and mustard greens, rinsed and chopped
3 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Coarse salt
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Cooked white rice, for serving

Steps:

  • In a large pot, heat oil over medium. Add ham hocks and onion; cook until onion has softened, about 10 minutes.
  • Add greens; cook, stirring frequently, until wilted, 7 to 9 minutes. Add broth, 6 cups water, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme; season with salt and cayenne.
  • Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and cook the gumbo 2 1/2 hours, or until ham hocks are tender and greens are very tender.
  • Remove ham hocks from pot; shred meat, discarding skin and bones. Return meat to gumbo. Remove and discard bay leaf. Season with salt, and serve over rice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 221 g, Fat 11 g, Fiber 8 g, Protein 16 g, SaturatedFat 2 g

GUMBO Z'HERBES



Gumbo Z'herbes image

Categories     Soup/Stew     Leafy Green     Pork     Super Bowl     Mardi Gras     Ham     Spinach     Turnip     Winter     Mustard Greens     Gourmet

Yield Makes 8 to 10 main-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

8 cabbage leaves (from 1 large head)
1 lb mustard greens
3/4 lb turnip greens
1/2 lb beet greens (from 1 bunch beets; including stems)
2 smoked ham hocks (1 lb each)
2 medium onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 to 2 small fresh hot red chiles (2 to 3 inches long), minced, including seeds
10 oz baby spinach
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons cider vinegar plus additional for serving
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Accompaniments: hot sauce such as Tabasco; corn bread or rice

Steps:

  • Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a 6- to 8-quart wide heavy pot. Add cabbage and simmer, covered, until tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer cabbage with tongs to a colander reserving cooking liquid, then add half of mustard, turnip, and beet greens to cooking liquid. Simmer uncovered, 5 minutes. Transfer greens with tongs to colander with cabbage, then cook remaining greens in same manner and transfer to colander. When greens are cool enough to handle, finely chop.
  • Add ham hocks to cooking liquid (liquid will not cover them completely) and simmer, covered, 1 hour. Transfer with tongs to a cutting board to cool. Transfer ham broth to a bowl, adding water if necessary to measure 5 cups liquid. Discard skin, bones, and fat and finely chop ham.
  • Cook onions and garlic in butter in pot over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Add ham broth in a slow stream, stirring constantly. Add chopped greens, ham, thyme, and minced chile and simmer, uncovered, until greens are tender, about 8 minutes.
  • Gradually add spinach, stirring until wilted. Stir in parsley, vinegar, and salt. Serve with hot sauce and additional vinegar if desired.

Tips:

  • Use a good quality stock. This is the foundation of your gumbo, so don't skimp on the ingredients. A flavorful stock will make all the difference in the final dish.
  • Don't be afraid to use a variety of meats and vegetables. Gumbo is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. Feel free to add or remove ingredients as you see fit.
  • Cook the roux slowly and carefully. This is another essential step in making gumbo. The roux should be cooked until it is a deep, rich brown color. If you rush this step, your gumbo will not have the same flavor.
  • Don't overcrowd the pot. When you add the ingredients to the pot, make sure not to overcrowd it. This will prevent the gumbo from cooking evenly.
  • Let the gumbo simmer for a while. This will allow the flavors to meld together and develop. The longer you simmer the gumbo, the better it will taste.
  • Serve gumbo with rice. This is the traditional way to serve gumbo, and it's the best way to enjoy its unique flavor.

Conclusion:

Gumbo is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a great way to use up leftover ingredients, and it's also a perfect dish for a party or potluck. With a little planning and effort, you can make a gumbo that will impress your friends and family.

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