Vegan Gumbo Recipe: How to Make Vegan Gumbo
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Dec 15, 2022 • 2 min read
Learn how to make a delicious vegan gumbo with the same rich texture and complex flavors as the original.
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What Is Vegan Gumbo?
Vegan gumbo is a variation of gumbo—a thick, flavorful stew from southern Louisiana—free from animal products like dairy or meat. There are many different styles of traditional gumbo; some of the most popular include sausage gumbo, seafood gumbo, and chicken gumbo, while New Orleans–style gumbo combines all three. Vegetarian gumbo z'herbes, traditionally eaten during Lent, features a variety of leafy greens and herbs.
The roots of gumbo are in Africa, but ultimately it’s the culinary outcome of several intersecting cultures: broadly, African, Native American, and European.
3 Tips for Making Vegan Gumbo
Outside of the core elements—a dark roux, okra, and the holy trinity—your vegan gumbo should reflect your own tastes. Use what you have available to you, and create a harmonious, seasonal combination of greens and vegetables. Here’s what else to know before getting started:
- 1. Find the right texture. Gumbo is a roux-based soup that can range from thin to gravy-thick; traditional preparations often use both sliced okra and dark roux as binding agents. You can make a dark roux by whisking together flour and fat in a saucepan on the stovetop until very dark brown, about ten minutes. Some cooks use filé powder, made from ground sassafras leaves, to thicken stews, including gumbo. For a gluten-free roux, use your favorite gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- 2. Add extra protein. Gumbo doesn’t necessarily need to feature a protein—a combination of leafy, hearty vegetables is just as filling and delicious—but if you’d like, vegan sausage or cooked beans are both excellent additions. Use a bean that turns velvety soft when cooked, like kidney beans or red beans.
- 3. Use fresh or frozen okra. If you can’t find fresh okra, try the frozen section of most grocery stores, where it comes pre-sliced. Add frozen okra directly to the cooking liquid, rather than thawing first.
Hearty Vegan Gumbo Recipe
makes
prep time
20 mintotal time
1 hrcook time
40 minIngredients
- 1
In a large cast-iron Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the vegan butter.
- 2
Add the flour and whisk until the roux thickens and turns a dark brown chestnut color, about 10 minutes. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent scorching or burning.
- 3
Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery (the “holy trinity”). Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 4
Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute longer.
- 5
Add the diced tomatoes, okra, bay leaves, salt, Cajun seasoning, and black pepper. Cook until the vegetables have softened, about 5 more minutes.
- 6
Add the kale, cabbage, dandelion greens, beans, and stock and increase to medium-high heat.
- 7
Bring the gumbo to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer until flavors have melded and beans are tender, about 20–25 minutes, adding more broth if necessary.
- 8
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- 9
To serve, scoop rice into serving bowls and ladle gumbo over rice. Garnish with the fresh parsley and serve hot with cornbread and hot sauce alongside.
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