Slow Cooker Shrimp Gumbo
Slow Cooker Shrimp Gumbo is a rich, flavorful dish that brings the taste of Louisiana right to your kitchen with minimal effort. This hearty stew features tender shrimp, sausage, and a medley of vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and celery, all simmered together in a savory, seasoned broth. The combination of Cajun spices, garlic, and bay leaves infuses the dish with bold flavors, while the slow cooking process allows the ingredients to meld perfectly. Served over a bed of rice, this gumbo is the ultimate comfort food—smoky, spicy, and satisfying, making it a perfect choice for an easy weeknight dinner or a special gathering.
Difficulty: EASY
Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
Serving Size: 4-6 servings
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 pound andouille sausage, cut on the bias into 1/2-inch slices
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, preferably San Marzanos
- 1 medium yellow onion, medium dice
- 1 medium green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and medium dice
- 2 medium celery stalks, medium dice
- 4 medium garlic cloves, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning or homemade Cajun spice mix
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 bunch green onions, trimmed and sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Directions:
- Heat the oven to 400°F and arrange a rack in the middle. Sprinkle the flour in a dry, 9-inch cast-iron skillet and bake until golden brown, stirring once, about 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside and let cool in the skillet for at least 10 minutes.
- Add the sausage to a large, shallow, heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook until brown, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Place the drained sausage in the crock of a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, bay leaves, Creole seasoning, and thyme.
- Whisk the broth into the browned flour until no lumps remain, then add it to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 5 hours.
- Stir in the shrimp, half the green onions, and the parsley. Cover and cook on high, stirring once, until the shrimp are cooked through and the flavors are melded, about 30 minutes. Discard the bay leaves, ladle the gumbo into warmed bowls, and sprinkle with the remaining green onions.