Ingredients

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 (14 1/2 ounce) cans whole tomatoes, undrained, chopped (can add more if you like more tomatoes) or 4 (14 1/2 ounce) cans stewed tomatoes (can add more if you like more tomatoes)
  • 3 onions, chopped
  • 4 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 bunches green onions, chopped
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 4 tablespoons chopped garlic
  • 4 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 6 chicken bouillon cubes
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon celery seed
  • 1 tablespoon celery salt
  • 1 12 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon tony chachere's creole seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 40 ounces sliced okra (frozen or fresh)
  • 1 lb crabmeat or 1 lb crab claws
  • 4 lbs shrimp, peeled

Method

  • Heat the vegetable oil in a very large soup pot, gradually whisk in flour with a long handled whisk.
  • Continue to stir and whisk constantly until the roux reaches a dark chocolate color, being careful not to burn.
  • In South Louisiana, you can purchase Roux premade in a jar, and I frequently use that, but I NEVER use the "roux mix" that you can purchase.
  • At this time add the 4 cans tomatoes chopped with the juice.
  • Continue to stir and whisk another 10 minutes.
  • Add the vegetables and cook another 20 minutes stirring very frequently.
  • Dissolve bouillon cubes in 2 to 4 quarts of water.
  • Add this to the pot and bring to a boil.
  • Add seasonings.
  • and okra and simmer 20 minutes.
  • Add shrimp and crab.
  • Cook until shrimp are done.
  • Add fresh green onion tops at end of cooking.
  • Serve over rice.
  • I frequently substitue crawfish tails for some of the shrimp.
  • I prefer to use crab claws rather than crab meat in the gumbo.
  • You can also add some andouille sausage if you want that.