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    Home » Round Up » What To Serve with Gumbo – 15 Delicious Ideas!

    What To Serve with Gumbo – 15 Delicious Ideas!

    Published on May 23, 2022 Modified: May 22, 2022 by Melissa Torres This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

    Gumbo is a delicious and flavorful recipe popular in New Orleans, Louisiana! Here are 15 amazing side dish recipes to serve alongside your gumbo.

    Bowl of gumbo served with a small serving rice in the middle of the gumbo.

    Gumbo is a popular stew choice that is famous in New Orleans, Louisiana. It’s traditionally made with meat or shellfish, stock, a thickener, cajun seasoning, and the Creole “holy trinity”. 

    There are different versions of this southern staple, including seafood gumbo, sausage gumbo, and chicken gumbo. Whichever way you decide to make it, it’s vital to have some delicious sides to serve alongside it! I’ve compiled some of the best side dish ideas for gumbo to give you a perfect combination of flavors.

    You can use Mardi Gras as a good reason to make this dish, or you can just make it for dinner to enjoy some traditional southern cuisine. Either way, gumbo is always a great idea.

    FAQs about Gumbo 

    What is the Holy Trinity in Gumbo? 

    The Creole “Holy Trinity” in Creole cooking is the three vegetables that form the base for most of the regional dishes! It is made by sautéing celery, bell peppers, and onions together. Typically green bell peppers are used! 

    What is a Roux in Gumbo?

    A roux is a very important part of gumbo that forms the base of the recipe! It is made by 2 parts oil with 3 parts flour. The ingredients are combined in the bottom of a large pan and cooked on medium heat for 30-45 minutes until the paste is a deep brown color. 

    The final result is called a dark roux, and is then used to color and thicken the gumbo! 

    Is Gumbo a Soup? 

    Gumbo can be looked at as either a soup or a stew depending on the recipe. Some recipes call for a thinner, brothier base in which case the gumbo is similar to a soup. Some recipes call for a thicker liquid base, which makes the gumbo similar to a stew. 

    What Spices are in Gumbo?

    Gumbo is a very flavorful dish and there are quite a few spices used in this recipe. Every recipe will call for something different, but some common additions are cajun seasoning, thyme, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, black pepper, and sometimes even fire roasted tomatoes to get that smoky flavor.

    Gumbo Recipes

    Each family has their own recipe for gumbo, and if you ask anyone in New Orleans, they’ll tell you that their family’s recipe is the best (similar to Italians and their pasta sauce). Here are a few different variations of Gumbo Recipes

    • Some recipes call for chicken and sausage in their okra, but others, like The Gumbo Shop’s Seafood Okra Gumbo, can be made with seafood like crab or shrimp. This recipe also calls for okra, the standard thickening agent. 
    • If a recipe does not call for okra as a second thickener (after the roux), then it will likely call for filé powder, like this Classic Cajun Gumbo recipe! 
    • If you want a Vegetarian Gumbo Recipe you can easily replace the meat and seafood with other vegetables such as cauliflower. 

    What is the Difference Between Jambalaya and Gumbo? 

    Jambalaya and Gumbo are both recipes that are popular in the state of Louisiana in the United States of America (Ps… Planning a trip to New Orleans soon? Here are the 8 Best Foods to Eat in New Orleans!).

    Gumbo is a stew-like dish made with protein (andouille sausage, shrimp, etc). It is thickened by a roux as well as (typically) either okra or filé. Rice is served as an ingredient in gumbo, but it isn’t cooked in the pot. Instead, it is added after the gumbo has finished cooking. 

    Jambalaya, on the other hand, features rice as its main ingredient. It usually contains andouille sausage and can also include shrimp, chicken, ham, or other forms of protein. There is no thickening agent in Jambalaya; instead the rice cooks with the protein, spices, and vegetables (and sometimes tomatoes) for a delicious final product. 

    What to Eat with Gumbo

    There are so many delicious side dishes that can be served alongside gumbo! Read this list for inspiration and popular choices, and then scroll below for specific recipes to try: 

    • White Rice, Brown Rice, or Dirty Rice
    • Cornbread
    • Cheese Bread
    • French Bread
    • Biscuits
    • Vegetables like Okra or Green Beans
    • Sweet Potato Pie
    • Hush Puppies
    • Cajun fries
    • Fresh Salad
    • Potato Salad
    • Hot Sauce (though this is fiercely debated)
    • Crab Cakes
    • Dessert like Bread pudding
    • Drinkles 

    Jambalaya

    This Instant Pot Jambalaya Recipe is a delicious and quick dinner that will transport you right to New Orleans! This is a complete meal all in one, with protein, rice, and vegetables in one pot.
    Read More

    Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

    Corn on the Cob in a basket
    This Instant Pot Corn on the Cob is an easy way to cook a classic summer favorite. The corn on the cob will be cooked beautifully and completely in under 10 minutes. Serve it up with butter and salt and you’re in for a summer treat from heaven! Enjoy!
    Read More

    Creamed Corn

    Homemade Creamed Corn in the Instant Pot is about to make your weeknight dinners so much easier and delicious. With a 3 minute cook time, you'll have a family favorite side on the table in no time!
    Read More

    Instant Pot White Rice

    Fluffy rice next to instant pot
    This post is all about how to cook White Rice in the Instant Pot (or any other electric pressure cooker). You can use this simple trick to decrease the time it takes to make dinner or meal prep for the future. You’re going to love it!
    Read More

    Instant Pot Brown Rice

    It is SO easy to cook Brown Rice in your Instant Pot! Goodbye 40 minute long cook times! This recipe will provide a fast, simple, and perfect-every-time recipe to make your weeknight dinners that much easier.
    Read More

    Jalapeno Cornbread

    Jalapeno cornbread pieces stacked on top of each other next to a colorful hand towel.

    This delicious Iron Skillet Jalapeno Cornbread (from 24 Bite) is a great addition to any meal and works especially well with soups, stews and beans.

    Read More

    Cheesy Grits Fritters

    Cheesy grits fritters on a small plate with a small bowl of sauce to serve with it.

    Crispy, snackable Cheesy Grits Fritters (from Babaganosh)! These bite-sized fried appetizers are crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy on the inside, and so irresistible and perfect for dipping into the easy, 2-minute Cajun marinara sauce.

    Read More

    Roasted Cajun Okra

    Roasted cajun okra in a small white serving bowl.

    Cajun Roasted Okra (from Babaganosh) is quick and easy to make, has lots of flavor, and is super healthy. Okra is a great vegetable to add to your rotation. I’ll show you how to make roasted okra that is not slimy.

    Read More

    Cheddar Hush Puppies

    Close up picture of cheddar hush puppies sitting in a towel inside of a basket.

    The perfect combination of textures and flavors, these jalapeno cheddar hush puppies (from Tao of Spice) are a great starter or side dish to serve alongside your next Cajun dinner. Naturally vegetarian.

    Read More

    Southern Style Biscuits

    A stack of southern style biscuits next to a fresh strawberry and some blueberries.

    Want to make homemade biscuits but don’t have time? Or is it too hot to turn on the oven? Then you MUST try these easy homemade air fryer biscuits (from Cook Eat Live Love). From start to finish you can have hot, fluffy biscuits made with self-rising flour ready to eat in about 15 minutes.

    Read More

    Red Beans and Rice

    Cast iron pan with red beans and rice and a side of white rice tucked into it.

    Celebrate Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, or any day with this easy vegan red beans and rice instant pot recipe (from Cook Eat Live Love). An easy way to cook up beans packed full of flavor with delicious, hearty authentic New Orleans ingredients and spices!!  It tastes so great and is such an easy vegan dinner to make, that I’m sure you will be eating more beans and rice throughout the year.

    Read More

    Cajun Oyster Crackers

    Small bowl of cajun oyster crackers.

    Whether you use them to top a soup, as croutons for a salad or just for snacking, this Cajun Oyster Crackers recipe (from Savory Experiments) is EASY to make! Only 3 ingredients!

    Read More

    Creole Coleslaw

    Top view of creole coleslaw in a serving dish.

    When it comes to coleslaw, hands down, Louisiana takes home the medal. This creole coleslaw (from Laura Fuentes) adds the perfect crunch to your pulled pork recipes or as an epic festive side.

    Read More

    Creole Green Beans

    Creole green beans with bacon in a glass baking dish.

    Creole Green Beans (from Flavor Mosaic) are savory and spicy and delicious with bacon, onions, tomatoes, chilies, and cajun seasoning and make a perfect Cajun Side Dish for Mardi Gras or any time.

    Read More

    Smothered Potatoes

    Bowl of smothered potatoes in a white bowl with a spoon tucked into it.

    Smothered Potatoes (from Recipes From A Pantry) are a very versatile Southern side dish that goes with just about any Southern meal. Made entirely from pantry staples with minimal prep and effort in less than 25 minutes, this is well loved by the family potato side dish.

    Read More

    Whatever delicious side dish (or dishes!) you decide to make, enjoy this Louisiana classic recipe! You will always enjoy this unforgettable meal!

    Other meals + what to serve with them

    • What to serve with Ratatouille
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    Comments

    1. Marie says

      November 26, 2022 at 3:16 pm

      Trying to find the recipe for that gumbo photo? looks so good

      Reply

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