Creole Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo

If you're looking for a great gumbo recipe, look no further. This Creole Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo is adapted from America's Test Kitchen. You can dress it up to serve at a Mardi Gras Party. This Mardi Gras Gumbo is Topped with Crowns and Masks!

When I think of New Orleans, I envision a bowl of hot gumbo loaded with sausage and shrimp, so when I decided to make a meal to celebrate Mardi Gras, I just had to make gumbo.

I chose to use America's Test Kitchen Creole Gumbo recipe which is loaded with shrimp and sausage. I tweaked the recipe a bit, using a shallot instead of two onions (my husband doesn't like onions which makes cooking a challenge), eliminating the scallions (same reasoning here) and cutting down on the parsley. I personally think parsly tastes like grass (and I can't tolerate Cilantro, if that gives you an indication of my taste buds).

I chose to use smoked beef sausage for my recipe, but if you like a little more heat, use andouille sausage instead. Speaking of heat, you can add as much cayenne pepper as you like to spice up this dish. I only used ¼ teaspoon. It was plenty spicy for us.

Some people will say that this recipe isn't a true gumbo because it doesn't have any okra in it.  I wanted to use okra, as it is an option in the original written recipe, but the okra at my grocery store was spotted black.

I didn't want old okra ruining my stew, so I didn't add it.  I do think it would be a good addition as it would help to thicken the broth.  If you want to add it, cut it into ¼" pieces and add it when you add the rest of the vegetables.

I have to say the gumbo, as I made it, had a thin but richly flavored broth filled with clam juice and shrimp stock. It was a wonderful background note to the sweet delicate shrimp that paired perfectly with the smokey sausage. I will definitely make it again, adding the okra, but keeping the rest of the recipe as is.

Of course, I had to make my gumbo festive for Mardi Gras and when I spotted the banner pictured above from the Dollar Tree I knew I could use it as a stencil to cut out pie crust to top the gumbo.

You can use a stencil a cookie cutter or even a piece of clip art as a guide to cut out some fun Mardi Gras pie crust shapes to serve with your gumbo. See the instructions below.

Creole Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo Recipe

(recipe adapted from Cooks Illustrated) 
Makes 6-8 servings.

Ingredients:

small shrimp - You will actually use the shrimp in the gumbo and the shrimp shells to make the stock. The shells have a lot of briny flavor so don't skip this step.
clam juice - Grab an 8 ounce bottle of clam juice to use to make the stock for this delicious gumbo.
ice water - You'll mix this into the hot shrimp & clam stock to cool it down.
vegetable oil - Use oil to make a roux and to cook the vegetables.
all-purpose flour - This will help to thicken your stock.
shallot - Shallots have a milder onion flavor. You can use onions, if you prefer.
red bell pepper - A crisp red bell pepper will add a sweet flavor and a pop of color in this otherwise drab looking dish.
celery - A basic flavor component for any soup or stew.
garlic - Fresh cloves of garlic will enhance the depth of flavor in this gumbo.
thyme, salt, and pepper - To season the soup.
cayenne pepper - Will add a bit of heat.
bay leaves - Gives the broth a rich earthy flavor.
beef smoked sausage - Adds a deep meaty flavor to the soup. You can use any sausage you like in this recipe.
fresh parsley leaves - Adds a fresh note to finish off the soup.
refrigerated pie dough - Use store-bought pie dough like Pillsbury Pie Crust to make your Mardi Gras pie crust toppers for this gumbo. If you prefer, you can make homemade pie crust. Thaw pie crust according to instructions on the package.

Instructions:

step 1 - make shrimp stock

1. Fill a large pot with 4 ½ cups water.
2. Add the shrimp shells and bring to a boil in over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Then, strain the stock, discard the shrimp shells, and add clam juice and ice water.
4. Set aside.
5. It is important to complete this step before you make the roux.
6. Chop the vegetables while the stock is simmering. You will want them prepared before you begin the roux.

step 2 - make a roux

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan set over medium-high heat for about 1 ½-2 minutes.
2. You want the oil to reach about 200 degrees.
3. Reduce heat to medium.
4. Slowly stir in flour using a wooden spoon.
5. Continue to stir constantly, working out any lumps, until the mixture has a toasty aroma and turns deep reddish-brown.  It took me 10 minutes on a gas stove, but the recipe says it can take up to 20 minutes.

NOTES about making roux.

You MUST stir the roux constantly.  Do not walk away or it may burn and you'll need to start over.

As you are cooking the roux, if it begins to smoke, remove the pan from the heat and stir constantly before returning it to the heat. I kept tilting the pan, scraping the entire bottom surface, then set it back on the heat. It worked well.

step 3 - cook the vegetables and stock

1. Add the shallot, bell pepper, celery, garlic, thyme, salt, and cayenne pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables soften, 8 to 10 minutes.
2. Pour in the shrimp/clam stock (that has now cooled slightly) in a steady stream, all the while stirring vigorously.
3. Adding the stock slowly will keep the roux from clumping up. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil.
4. Then reduce heat to medium-low and add the bay leaves.
5. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, skimming off the foam as it rises to the surface.
6. Add the sausage and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.

step 4 - make pie crust Mardi Gras crowns and masks

While the sausage gumbo is cooking, you will have time to make your Mardi Gras pastry crowns and masks.

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Unroll the dough.
3. Cut out Mardi Gras shapes using cookie cutters, stencils, or banner cut-outs.
4. Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 4-8 minutes until golden brown.  The time will vary depending on the size of your cut-outs.

step 5 - add the shrimp to the gumbo

1. Stir in the shrimp and simmer just until it is cooked through 4-5 minutes.
2. Off heat, stir in the parsley, and season with salt, pepper and more cayenne to taste.
3. Pour into bowls and top with pastry cutouts.
4. Serve hot.

Printable Recipe

This recipe was originally published on February 20, 2011. I updated the post with fresh pictures and more detailed information. Enjoy!

Print

Creole Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo

Prep Time

1 hr

Cook Time

2 hrs

 

Serve a bowl of hot and delicious Creole Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo topped with pie crust crowns and masks to celebrate Mardi Gras. It's a fun way to serve this hearty soup.

Course: Entree

Cuisine: American

Keyword: gumbo, Mardi Gras recipe, sausage, shrimp

Servings: 8

Calories: 385 kcal

Author: Beth Klosterboer

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds small shrimp (51 to 60 count, shelled and deveined, shells reserved)
• 1 cup clam juice (one 8-ounce bottle)
• 3 ½ cups ice water
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large shallot, finely chopped
• 1 large red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 rib celery, finely chopped
• 6 medium cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon table salt
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (more or less to your liking)
• 2 bay leaves
• 14 ounces beef smoked sausage, diced in ¼" pieces
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
• 1 pinch ground black pepper
• 1 box Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crust, thawed according to package instructions

Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with 4 ½ cups water.
2. Add the shrimp shells and bring to a boil in over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes.

3. Then, strain the stock and discard the shrimp shells. Then stir the clam juice and 3 ½ cups of ice water into the hot shrimp stock.

4. Set aside. It is important to complete this step before you make the roux.

5. Chop the vegetables while the stock is simmering. You will want them prepared before you begin the roux.

6. Heat vegetable oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan set over medium-high heat for about 1 ½-2 minutes until it reaches 200 degrees F.

7. Reduce heat to medium.

8. Slowly stir in the flour using a wooden spoon.

9. Continue to stir constantly, working out any lumps, until the mixture has a toasty aroma and turns deep reddish-brown.  This can take 10-20 minutes depending on your stove (gas vs. electric).

10. Add the shallot, bell pepper, celery, garlic, thyme, salt, and cayenne pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables soften, 8 to 10 minutes.

11. Pour in the shrimp/clam stock (that has now cooled slightly) in a steady stream, all the while stirring vigorously. Adding the stock slowly will keep the roux from clumping up.

12. Increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil.

13. Then reduce the heat to medium-low and add the bay leaves.

14. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, skimming off the foam as it rises to the surface.
15. Add the sausage and continue to simmer for 30 minutes.

16. Meanwhile, you can bake your pastry crowns & masks.

17. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

18. Unroll the dough.
19. Cut out Mardi Gras shapes using cookie cutters, stencils, or banner cut-outs.
20. Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 4-8 minutes until golden brown.  The time will vary depending on the size of your cut-outs.

21. Stir the shrimp into the pot of gumbo and simmer just until it is cooked through 4-5 minutes.

22. Off heat, stir in the parsley, and season with salt, pepper and more cayenne to taste.
23. Pour into bowls and top with pastry cutouts.
24. Serve hot.

Recipe Notes

• Calories are listed for 1 serving of gumbo. The calories for the pie crust crowns will depend on the size and shape of the cut-out. 
• Roux - You MUST stir the roux constantly.  Do not walk away or it may burn and you'll need to start over.  As you are cooking the roux, if it begins to smoke, remove the pan from the heat and stir constantly before returning it to the heat. I kept tilting the pan, scraping the entire bottom surface, then set it back on the heat. It worked well.
• You can make this gumbo ahead and reheat it before your party guests arrive but I'd recommend adding the shrimp to the gumbo when you reheat it to ensure the shrimp are nice and tender. Reheated shrimp can get tough.  
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator. 

More Mardi Gras Recipe Ideas...

This giant Muffaletta is decorated for Mardi Gras with some colored cheese. This giant sandwich is easy to make for your Mardi Gras party and it will serve a hungry crowd of party-goers.

Use pie crust to make crowns then fill them with cheesecake mousse and caramelized bananas. This is such a fun Mardi Gras dessert. See the recipe to make Pastry Crowns, here.

Speaking of fun Mardi Gras desserts, this King Cake Roll is my favorite! It's so bright and colorful.

• Author
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Beth Klosterboer

Hi, I'm Beth Jackson Klosterboer, a professional chocolatier & baker, cookbook author, and event planner. I love sharing recipes for happy occasions here on Hungry Happenings. I also create easy fudge recipes to share at HowToMakeEasyFudge.com, rice krispie treat recipes at HowToMakeCerealTreats.com, and easy cookie recipes at HowToMakeEasyCookies.com

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