Keto Gumbo Recipe

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Last Updated on July 3, 2023 by Toya

Are you looking for a delicious keto gumbo recipe that you can enjoy without guilt? If you are, you absolutely must try this simple keto gumbo recipe as soon as you get the chance. After all, it is easy, makes the perfect comfort food your entire family can enjoy and is ready in under an hour!

Keto Gumbo

Gumbo is an iconic dish of the American South and it represents a heart and soul-warming mixture of different cultures and cuisines. It is characterized by a blend of shellfish and continental ingredients with simple vegetables and outstanding spices. This gumbo recipe will bring flavors of Louisiana to your table and nourish you from the inside with its rich aroma.

Besides being absolutely delicious, this is a keto friendly gumbo that will not kick you out of ketosis. Indeed, this low carb gumbo recipe is a perfect way to enjoy a protein and fat filled meal with the beautiful flavors of shellfish, chicken and Cajun seasonings.

Low carb gumbo FAQs

Is gumbo keto friendly?

Not all gumbo recipes are keto friendly. In fact, the average gumbo recipe with rice has on average 20 grams of carbs in each serving. However, since this recipe is made with low carb ingredients, and there are only 6 grams of carbs in this gumbo recipe, it is keto friendly.

Is gumbo without rice keto friendly?

Not necessarily. Rice isn’t the only high-carb ingredient used in a typical gumbo recipe. Some gumbo recipes also include ingredients like all-purpose flour (used to make the roux) or regular tomato sauce. Both of these ingredients will add more carbs to a recipe. Therefore, it’s best to find a keto-friendly gumbo recipe or pay very close attention to the carbs in any gumbo recipe that you’re thinking of trying out even though it does not have rice.

How many carbs are in keto gumbo?

Most gumbos have about 20 grams of carbs per serving. This is so because they contain rice as well as a roux made with all-purpose flour. This recipe includes none of these ingredients and thus has only 5.8 grams of carbs and 3.1 grams of net carbs per serving.

Can you use roux in a keto gumbo?

While a roux was not used in this recipe, you can indeed use a low carb roux in keto gumbo. To make this keto roux to thicken your keto friendly gumbo, simply use some coconut flour, xanthan gum, and oil.

How can I thicken keto gumbo without roux?

As stated above, roux is sometimes used to make gumbos thick. However, if you do not want to use a roux in your gumbo, the gumbo file in this gumbo recipe is sufficient in making the recipe thick. You can also use about a half cup of okra in your low carb gumbo for added thickness. 

Is gumbo supposed to be thick or soupy?

There is no real rule as to how thick or how soupy a gumbo should be. I prefer for my gumbo to be thick and someone else may prefer for theirs to be soupier. The consistency of your gumbo is all up to your preferences. 

 

Tips on how to make your low carb gumbo amazing:

• Although this keto chicken gumbo recipe has rich seasonings, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of celery flakes, or add a small stalk of chopped celery. In that case, use only half of the bell pepper.
• This gumbo recipe calls for smoked Andouille sausage. Smoked andouille brings some complex and deep flavors to the gumbo, but if you do not have this on hand and still want to have the best possible gumbo, you can use ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika to add complexity and deep flavors to your gumbo.
• If you want a bit of a chunkier gumbo, use one of these stewed tomato substitutes, such as canned whole tomatoes, instead. Gently crush the tomatoes with the back of your spoon during the cooking process.

Ingredients needed to make this keto gumbo recipe

To make this recipe, this is a list of all the gumbo ingredients you will need plus their measurements:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.5lb chicken drumsticks or thighs, skin removed, deboned, cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded, chopped
• ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• ½ tablespoon Gumbo file
• 1 can of strained tomatoes, no sugar added (or process fresh tomatoes until smooth)
• 1 cup of beef stock or 1 cup of seafood broth
• 0.25lb Andouille smoked sausage
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 0.75 lb peeled and de-veined shrimp
• Salt, to taste

 

How to make keto gumbo

First, gather all of your gumbo ingredients in one place.

 

Then, in a medium-sized sauce pot, you will heat up some olive oil over medium-high heat. You will then add in your garlic and chicken and cook for 5 minutes.

 

The next step is to add in your chopped green bell peppers and cook while stirring for 5 minutes.

Then add the Cajun seasoning and Gumbo file. Cook and stir for 2-3 minutes.

 

Pour in the strained tomatoes and beef stock, making sure to stir so that you scrape any browned bits of the seasoning. After this, you will then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes.

Stir in your sausage and simmer for about 20-25 minutes.

Finally, add the shrimp and cook for 3 minutes.

 

Once done, you should now have a delicious gumbo recipe that looks like this:

 

Remove the low carb gumbo from the heat and serve warm.

Keto gumbo recipe variations

You can make some changes to the gumbo by simply adding in some different ingredients. Here are some ideas you can try:

• Swap out shrimp for other seafood like crab meat, smoked fish, or smoked oysters instead. 
• You can also use vegetables such as chopped celery, onion, and okra in your gumbo.

 

Storing, freezing, and reheating gumbo

If you have any leftovers, this is what you can do:

To Store: Store in the fridge for up to 2 days in an air-tight container

To Freeze: Freeze in separate portions in air-tight containers for up to a month.

To Reheat: Thaw and reheat over the stove.

What to serve with keto gumbo

This easy low carb chicken, sausage, and shrimp recipe is very hearty and can be served as a full meal itself. However, it is also so versatile and can go with quite a few different sides! Here are a few ideas you can try:

• Keto Cauliflower Bread (Or any other keto bread of your choice): This keto cauliflower bread makes the perfect side for this hearty keto gumbo.
• Cauliflower rice: You can’t eat regular rice if you’re following a keto lifestyle, but cauliflower rice is another great side you can serve with gumbo.
• Keto Vegetable Salad: You can also serve this gumbo with a low carb vegetable salad.
• Keto cornbread: This is another great side for gumbo.
• Cauliflower mash: Serve with a bowl of hearty gumbo, this mash will taste amazing.

Whatever you choose to add, you will enjoy this amazing keto chicken gumbo recipe for sure!

Also, if you’re looking for more hearty recipes like this gumbo, try out this easy keto jambalaya recipe. 

Tools to make this easy keto gumbo

Sauce pot: This sauce pot is one of my favorites. It’s perfect for making this easy low-carb keto gumbo recipe

Wooden spoon: This is a must when cooking things like gumbo.