Gumbo is one of those dishes that rewards patience and punishes shortcuts, but it also adapts well to pressure cookers and slow cookers for anyone who doesn't have hours to stand over the stove, which is exactly why this collection covers every method from crockpot to Ninja Foodi to classic stovetop. Nine recipes that span shrimp gumbo, full seafood versions, Creole style, a healthy lighter take, and a copycat of one of the most famous restaurant gumbos in the country.
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Gumbo is one of those dishes that you might be hesitant to try, but once you do, you'll crave it and want more of it. This roundup of gumbo recipes has something that everyone will like, covering everything from a Shrimp Gumbo Recipe focused on one standout protein to a Seafood Gumbo that brings multiple types of seafood into a single pot. The Commander's Palace Seafood Gumbo copycat takes the dish into restaurant territory, recreating one of the most well-known versions of the dish outside of its original home.
For anyone who wants a lighter direction, Healthy Crockpot Gumbo handles the slow cooker approach without leaning on the usual heaviness of the dish, and the How to Make Gumbo guide gives a thorough walkthrough of the fundamentals before committing to a specific recipe. Whatever your starting point, there's a version in this collection that fits your cooking style and the time you have available.
What makes the recipes in this roundup special?
- The recipes were created by a real person—not generated by AI.
- The photos show the actual recipe, made and photographed in real life.
- The blog is run by a human being—not an AI avatar or bot-run site.
- The recipe is original and created by the blogger—not purchased or republished content.
- All recipes in this roundup have earned a star rating of 4 stars or higher from readers or reviewers.
Top Tips
- Don't rush the roux. The roux is the foundation of any gumbo and it requires patience over consistent medium to medium-low heat, stirring continuously until it reaches the color you're going for. Walking away or turning the heat up to speed things along is the most common way to end up with a burnt roux that can't be saved.
- Add shrimp and other quick-cooking seafood at the very end. Seafood goes rubbery and tough when it overcooks in a hot liquid, so it should only go into the pot in the last few minutes of cooking time. The residual heat from the gumbo will finish it off without destroying the texture.
- Season in stages and taste as you go. Gumbo builds flavor gradually and seasoning the pot only at the end often results in a dish that tastes flat despite a long cook time. Adding small amounts of seasoning at multiple stages gives the flavors time to develop and integrate properly.
- Pressure cooker gumbo still benefits from a proper roux first. Even if the recipe adapts the process for the Instant Pot or Ninja Foodi, developing the roux on the stovetop or using the saute function before pressure cooking makes a noticeable difference in the depth of flavor in the finished dish.
- Let the finished gumbo rest before serving. Like many braises and stews, gumbo often tastes better after it's been off the heat for 15 to 30 minutes and the flavors have had a chance to settle and deepen. If you can make it a day ahead, it improves even further.
Easy Gumbo Recipe in the Ninja Foodi / Pressure Cooker
Pressure cooking gumbo in the Ninja Foodi cuts down significantly on the hands-on time that stovetop gumbo typically demands. An easy version built specifically for the pressure cooker format.
Photo credit: The Salted Pepper
Healthy Crockpot Gumbo
A healthier approach to gumbo made in the crockpot, which handles the long slow cook without any attention from you once it's going. Worth considering when you want a lighter result without giving up the slow-cooked depth.
Photo credit: Skinny Fitalicious
Creole Gumbo Recipe
Creole gumbo has its own distinct character within the broader gumbo tradition, and this recipe focuses on that specific style rather than blending approaches. A well-defined version for anyone who wants the Creole take on the dish.
Photo credit: Chili Pepper Madness
Aunt Vicki's Gumbo
Named and personal, this gumbo carries the weight of a family recipe that's been trusted enough to share publicly. A homestyle version that brings something different to the table than the restaurant-style or method-focused approaches in this collection.
Photo credit: 100 Days Of Real Food
Shrimp Gumbo Recipe
Shrimp takes the lead in this focused version that keeps a single protein front and center rather than building a mixed seafood pot. A shrimp-forward gumbo worth reaching for when shrimp is the main event.
Photo credit: Chili Pepper Madness
Commander's Palace Seafood Gumbo
Commander's Palace is one of the most celebrated restaurants in New Orleans, and this copycat brings their seafood gumbo into a home kitchen format. A restaurant-inspired version that aims to recreate a well-known original.
Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes
Seafood Gumbo Recipe
A full seafood gumbo that builds a richer, more layered pot than the shrimp-only version by drawing on multiple types of seafood. A comprehensive seafood take on the dish worth making when you want a more substantial pot.
Photo credit: Chili Pepper Madness
Instant Pot Gumbo
The Instant Pot gets gumbo done in a fraction of the traditional time without losing the stew-like depth the dish is known for. A pressure cooker approach that makes gumbo a realistic weeknight option.
Photo credit: It Is A Keeper
How to Make Gumbo - a Guide
A guide-format approach to gumbo walks through the fundamentals of making it well before committing to a single specific recipe. Useful for anyone who wants to understand the process more deeply before diving into one of the other versions in this list.
Photo credit: Chili Pepper Madness
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