Southern Style, Economic, Gumbo
Both my family and my fiancé’s family are from the south. We just love southern foods, especially gumbo! Now the best gumbo has so much in it, it’s a dish you only make about 3-4 times a year because it’s so expensive. I mean, an authentic Louisiana gumbo has large shrimp, crab, crawfish, and Andouille sausage. To feed a family of four or more, you’re coming out of pocket with well over $100. And sometimes, you just don’t have time for that! Ohh, and let’s not forget the roux!
So, when I’m short on time and stingy with cash, I make this excellent economic gumbo. Don’t worry, the taste is amazing and made my fiancé get off the phone to eat (you can rarely catch him off the darn phone)!
To get this party started, you’ll need Zatarian’s Gumbo Mix with Rice or the Zatarain’s Gumbo Base.
Get a bag or two of medium to large shrimp. Allow to thaw in cold water. Once they are defrosted, pull the shell off the tails and discard. Let the shrimp sit in cold water until it’s time to add into the gumbo.
Boil your Italian sausage and other smoked sausage (who needs Andouille sausage anyway?). Cut and place to the side. Leave the boiled sausage water in the pan.
Cook up 3-4 chicken breasts. I threw mine in the skillet with a bit of olive oil. I seasoned it with salt, pepper, and chicken season salt. Dice it up into bite sized pieces.
To make it really convenient, add a bag or two of Soup Vegetable blend.
I also wasn’t going to, but I saw the Bubble Bee Crabmeat was on sale, so I couldn’t resist grabbing 2 cans!
- Once everything is done, it’s time to start adding your Zatarian’s mix to the stockpot. I used my large pot and had just the right amount of water! Go figure.
- Let it boil for about 15 minutes, then start adding your sausage and chicken back in.
- Allow to boil for 5 minutes, then add your vegetables in for another 6-7 minutes.
- Finally, throw the crabmeat and shrimp in. Mix everything well and it can simmer while the pot is off.
Serve it up with oyster crackers and you have an entire meal! I made mine with the Zatarian’s Gumbo Mix with Rice, so I didn’t need to add rice with mine.
How do you make your gumbo?
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I love this idea. I thought Gumbo would be hard to make yet you make it all seem so easy lol.
Victoria recently posted…For the Home: White Tiger Warmer from Sass N Frass & a Giveaway (11-18)
I have never had any kind of gumbo before, but it sounds SO good!!
I have never had gumbo before. This look easy enough for me to do.
Michelle F. recently posted…Two Piece Frozen Elsa Pajamas Tutorial
My great-grandma was form Louisiana and she used to make gumbo for the family so it is a comfort food to me. I like how easy you made this.
Jennifer recently posted…Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Bars
I have never tried gumbo either.
We have shell fish allergies in our family so we tend to steer clear.
Can you substitute the shell fish for chicken?
Heather Lawrence recently posted…Cinnamon Rolls with Apples and Cream Cheese Frosting
I have never had gumbo before this sounds amazing! Easy to make too!
Mama to 5 BLessings recently posted…The Rockwell Museum #NewYork
I am from Louisiana and of course I love gumbo! This recipe looks wonderful and much more economical too!
Jennifer B recently posted…Thankgiving Dinner Made Easy With Reser’s Fine Foods
I like putting dinners like this together. We all need to do so sometime!
I had gumbo when I was in New Orleans and was hooked! This looks delicious!
Lois Alter Mark recently posted…me and a harley-davidson
I love any warm stew during the fall and winter, this looks easy enough too
maria @ closetohome recently posted…Handmade Holiday Gift Ideas for Under $10
I’ve had Gumbo before. It looks delish. Thank for sharing the recipe!
Aline Matiazzo recently posted…How to Make the Most Out of Your Thanksgiving Party
I have never made Gumbo before, but this looks easy enough. I love Zatarians!
Milena recently posted…How to Train Your Dragon 2 #HTTYD2 #DragonInsiders #Giveaway
I make Gumbo all the time! I love it!
Gumbo is one of my favorite meals. I would even in the summer!
Christy Hoover recently posted…Cooking with the Kids: Homemade Raspberry Lemonade
Yummy! This looks so fantastic! My husband would love this!
Amanda recently posted…Want a jump start on your holiday shopping? How about a Giveaway!
OK you make this sound so easy and it looks so delicious! I am so going to make this.
That’s easier than I thought it would be to make. Everyone loves gumbo!
Liz Mays recently posted…Say Goodbye to Set-in Stains with #Clorox2
Zatarian’s is fantastic. I love Gumbo.
Debbie recently posted…Anne Geddes Unveils ” A Baby Born Too Soon” for World Prematurity Day!
I’m a Zatarian’s fan. I don’t normally eat red beans and rice but I love theirs.
Sounds like an easy and affordable dish to make. We had some amazing gumbo out in Louisiana and I have been wanting to make some.
kbunn4 recently posted…Earn Amazon Gift Cards for Giving Walmart Your Input!
There is no time like the present!
My gumbo takes a super long time to make. This is such an easy way to make a great meal!
Now the super long way is still the best! haha. But when you need to cut corners!
My son was just asking me to make gumbo the other day, and since it is not something that I ususlaly eat, I was feeling a little lost with it. Perfect way to satisfy his craving now.
Debi recently posted…Creating a Mani/Pedi Gift Set For Less- Christmas on a Budget
Yes Debi, I hope you two get to enjoy it.
I have not tried to make gumbo before. This looks like a delicious recipe to try making it for the first time.
Ann Bacciaglia recently posted…Cranberry Tea Cookies
Very easy to make! You really can’t mess it up!
I’ve never made gumbo, but you sure are making me want to get started!
Kristin recently posted…Eye-catching Outerwear
Very simple and will come out much cheaper than running to the restaurant all the time. It freezes well also. Of course, we didn’t have any left.
I can’t believe I’ve never even had the chance to try gumbo! This looks so delicious.
Oh my, I can’t believe it either! You must try it. If you like the ingredients, you’ll love it.
I have used Zatarain’s to make gumbo before, but never thought to get soup veggies to make the process even simpler! You really worked that! Ironically, I don’t eat seafood, but I make gumbo for my family. I can make it the old fashioned way – or this quick and easy way – they love both!
Elizabeth Towns recently posted…Time for “the talk” with Mom
I am all about finding shortcuts! I don’t mind cooking from scratch, when I have the time! I do believe cooking from scratch intimidates so many women, and that’s why the “home cooked meal” has gone out the door for many households. I’m sure your family enjoys them both also!
I never think to make gumbo because it seems so time-intensive, but you make it seem easy enough to try on a weeknight. I might work this into my weekly rotation next week. Thanks for the idea!
Lena @ WhatMommyDoes recently posted…30 Non-Toy Christmas Gift Ideas for Kids
I actually made mine during the week. I just had to have it. Another idea is to cook the meat up ahead of time and freeze it. Then when you want it, thaw it out while the rice cooks and combine it all.
This would be a great dish for the Winter! It has already started snowing here so this would be great.
Aly Mashrah recently posted…Get Healthy Hair with Hairfinity!
Oh I hate to hear that with the snow. We’ve gotten drizzles, nothing major yet. Do pin it and make it soon!
I don’t make gumbo, but have tried quite a few, These seems less time consuming then the ones I have tried. It’s like a cooking assistant lol
Lenze recently posted…Holiday 2014 Gifts That Give Back
What a incredible recipe! You made this look so easy and delish! One of my families favorites too!
This looks amazing, even to a person who doesn’t eat shrimp! 😉 Thanks for linking up at Get Your Shine On.
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