Merwin's Shrimp Gumbo
Merwin's Shrimp Gumbo delivers a dark, deeply toasted roux layered with smoky sausage, tender shrimp, and Cajun aromatics for a rich, full-bodied bowl. Chicken is browned to enrich the pot, while filé powder is stirred in off the heat for a silky finish. Serve this hearty, Louisiana-style gumbo over rice for gatherings, game days, or chilly evenings.
- Prep30 mins
- Cook2 hrs 15 mins
- Serves8
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Merwin's Shrimp Gumbo, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 52 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 20 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 92 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Unprocessed or minimally processed
- 1 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 32
- Heart Health
- 48
- Metabolic
- 54
- Digestive
- 28
- Inflammatory
- 59
- Performance
- 51
- General Wellness
- 1
In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage. Remove it from the pan and drain on paper towels to remove some of the fat. Discard the fat in the pan.
- 2
In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over high heat. Brown the chicken pieces in the hot oil, turning frequently until golden brown on all sides. Transfer the chicken to a dish, leaving the oil in the pan, and set the chicken aside, keeping it warm.
- 3
Make a roux by whisking the flour into the hot vegetable oil. Reduce the heat to low and continue cooking the flour and oil mixture, stirring constantly, until it turns a dark brown color. This may take 30 to 45 minutes; the darker the roux, the better the final gumbo.
- 4
When the roux is dark brown, quickly add the sausage, onion, green onion tops, green pepper, parsley, and garlic. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the vegetables are wilted, about 10 minutes.
- 5
Stir in 2 cups water and the spices. Add the chicken parts. Slowly add the rest of the water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 45 minutes, until the chicken is done and tender.
- 6
Remove the chicken pieces and save them for another use. Add the shrimp to the gumbo and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes more. Remove the bay leaves. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve the gumbo in deep bowls. Sprinkle file powder over individual servings and stir it in.
- Calories 781.2 kcal High 39%
- Protein 84.33 g Good Source 169%
- Carbohydrate 33.48 g 12%
- Total Fat 35.55 g High 46%
- Saturated Fat 6.78 g High 34%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 463.25 mg High 154%
- Sodium 1147.13 mg High 50%
- Dietary Fiber 9.09 g Good Source 32%
- Total Sugars 14.59 g --
- Added Sugars 10.12 g High 20%
- Calcium 111.19 mg Low Source 9%
- Iron 2.23 mg Moderate 12%
- Potassium 354.13 mg Low Source 8%
- Vitamin A 39.22 mcg Low Source 4%
- Vitamin C 7.81 mg Low Source 9%
- Vitamin D 0.0 mcg Low Source 0%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Shellfish 🦐
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Merwin's Shrimp Gumbo is a Cajun and Creole dinner recipe made with 17 ingredients. It takes about 2 hrs 45 mins, serves 8, and is rated medium. Key ingredients include All Purpose Flour, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, and Diced Onion. Each serving provides about 781.2 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Merwin's Shrimp Gumbo?
- It is a Cajun and Creole recipe made with 17 ingredients, usually served for dinner or lunch or soup.
- What is Merwin's Shrimp Gumbo made of?
- The main ingredients are All-Purpose Flour, Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Diced Onion, Dried Bay Leaves. The full list of 17 is above.
- What goes well with Merwin's Shrimp Gumbo?
- Explore these Cajun and Creole side-dish recipes.
- How long does it take to make Merwin's Shrimp Gumbo?
- About 2 hrs 45 mins in total: 30 mins to prepare and 2 hrs 15 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 781.2 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Merwin's Shrimp Gumbo easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 17 ingredients and 6 steps.
- Is Merwin's Shrimp Gumbo healthy?
- Merwin's Shrimp Gumbo has an easyChef Pro health score of 52/100. Per serving, it provides 781.2 calories and 84.33 g of protein, or 169% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of dietary fiber. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 1147.13 mg (50% of the Daily Value), saturated fat at 6.78 g (34% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 10.12 g (20% of the Daily Value). It contains Shellfish, Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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