Instant Pot Gumbo

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This instant pot gumbo recipe is a quick and flavorful dinner that captures the essence of Cajun cuisine. This dish has loads of succulent shrimp, smoky sausage, and a medley of aromatic spices.

A  bowl of the finished gumbo.

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Instant pot gumbo brings the taste of Louisiana right to your kitchen. Gumbo is a beloved Southern dish known for its robust flavors, rich history, and heartwarming qualities. Our pressure cooker recipe takes the traditional gumbo and transforms it into a quick and easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love.

If you’re looking for more instant pot recipes, try these Instant Pot Risotto, Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers and Instant Pot Steak Fajitas.

The instant pot and the finished stew in a white bowl.

Why We Love Easy Instant Pot Gumbo Recipes

This easy gumbo recipe is the perfect combination of convenience, flavor, and authenticity. Every ingredient works together, creating a gumbo that’s deeply satisfying and full of character.

  • Quick and Easy: This easy gumbo with shrimp recipe is made in pressure and cooks together quickly, thanks to the instant pot quick cooking abilities. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight when you need a satisfying meal on the table.
  • Family Friendly: Gumbo is a crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters will enjoy. The flavorful ingredients and the comforting nature of the dish will make it a hit for everyone.
  • Makes Great Leftovers: The flavors of shrimp and sausage gumbo only get better with time, so don’t be shy about making a bigger batch and having the leftovers the next day for lunch or dinner.

Ingredient Notes to Make this Recipe

Sausage, shrimp, vegetables, stock, and vegetables.
  • Shrimp: You can use fresh or frozen shrimp depending on your preference and availability. You can also use other types of seafood for a twist on this traditional gumbo.
  • Sausage: Sliced andouille sausage is the preferred choice for this recipe, as it adds a smoky and spicy flavor to the gumbo.
  • Creole Seasoning: The key to the cajun flavor in this gumbo is the creole seasoning. Creole seasoning is a blend that typically contains paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and various herbs. You can also make your own creole seasoning blend.
  • Gumbo File: Gumbo file is a herb made from sassafras leaves. This powdered herb adds a unique flavor and acts as a thickener for the gumbo.

See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

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Variations and Substitutions to Make Instant Pot Gumbo Recipe

  • Okra variation: For this recipe, you can use fresh or frozen okra. You can also omit the okra completely if you are not a fan of the taste.
  • Cooking variation: While this recipe is for an instant pot, you can still enjoy this delicious gumbo using a different cooking method. You can make this gumbo on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.

How to Make Instant Pot Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo

Instant pot gumbo is perfect for adding some excitement to your dinner rotation. Get ready to savor the soulful flavors of Louisiana one spoonful at a time.

These are the basic steps for making easy gumbo. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.

Brown the meat in the instant pot.

Step 1: Brown Sausage

First, place the sliced sausage in the inner pot and set the instant pot to saute. Then brown the sausage. Remove the sausage, set aside, and deglaze the instant pot with chicken broth.

Step 2: Make the Roux

Next, add oil and flour to the bottom of the pot. Then stir to create a brown roux. Let thicken the gumbo for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Stir in the Vegetables

Add the diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper to that instant pot. Then cook for 5 minutes.

Add the vegetables and continue to cook the dish.

Step 4: Put in the Rest of Ingredients and Cook

Take the brown sausage, add it back to the instant pot, and stir. Add the spices, broth, okra, tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce into the pot. Seal the lid and the pressure valve on the instant pot. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.

Step 5: Add Shrimp

Next, release the pressure and add in the small shrimp. Finally, continue to cook the pressure cooker gumbo for another 5 minutes. Serve over rice.

Recipe FAQs for the Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo in Instant Pot

Of course! Smoked paprika can add an extra smoky flavor to your gumbo. It will also complement the other spices and enhance the overall taste. Feel free to sprinkle some in during the cooking process. Toss in a bay leaf if you like as well. Make instant pot louisiana gumbo with the seasonings and flavor that you enjoy.

A dark roux is one of the most important elements in the best gumbo, as it contributes to its rich flavor and thick texture. A dark roux is create by cooking flour and oil together until the roux is the color of deep brown color this will make gumbo flavor rich.

If you can’t find gumbo file or prefer not to use it, you can still create a wonderful gumbo. While it adds a unique flavor and acts as a thickening agent, it is not essential to the overall taste of the dish.

Absolutely! One of the best things about gumbo is its versatility when it comes to the selection of meats. You can incorporate different meats to suit your preferences such as, chicken, lobster, crab, or even a combination of those meats to make different varieties of gumbo.

A dish of the delicious instant pot gumbo stew.

Expert Tips for Making This One Pot Instant Pot Meal

Gumbo is a classic Louisiana dish. This flavorful stew is known for its rich, complex flavors and textures. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner cook, these easy gumbo recipes will have you serving up a bowl of Southern comfort in no time.

  • Maximum Flavor: Take time to saute the onions, peppers, and celery, which is also known as the holy trinity of cajun cooking. This helps to develop the base flavors and enhance the gumbo’s taste.
  • Don’t Rush the Roux: When making the dark roux you want to be patient and give it time to fully develop. Stir constantly and wait patiently for it to become a dark color.
  • Chicken: Chicken and sausage gumbo is also great. Chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts add a lot of flavor.
  • Garnish: You can garnish you delicious instant pot gumbo with fresh herbs such as parsley or green onions. Garnishing your gumbo adds a pop of freshness and a visual appeal.

What to Serve with Delicious Instant Pot Gumbo

A bowl of the finished gumbo.
5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Gumbo

Yield: 6 servings
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
This instant pot gumbo recipe is a quick and flavorful dinner that captures the essence of cajun cuisine. This dish is packed with succulent shrimp, smoky sausage, and a medley of aromatic spices.
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Ingredients

  • 12 ounces Andouille Sausage, sliced
  • 12 ounces Shrimp, extra small
  • 1 Onion, diced
  • 1 Green bell pepper, diced
  • 4 tablespoons Minced garlic
  • 10 ounces Frozen okra , sliced
  • 14 ounces Diced tomatoes, one can
  • ½ cup Flour
  • ½ cup Vegetable oil
  • 3 teaspoons Gumbo file
  • 1 tablespoon Creole Seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 cups Chicken broth

Instructions

  • Turn on the sauté function of the instant pot and add the sausage. Cook the sausage until it turns brown. After browning, take out the sausage and use a bit of chicken broth to deglaze the instant pot.
  • Combine the oil and flour and stir until a roux is formed. Allow it to cook slowly for 10 minutes to thicken. Then, incorporate the onion, garlic, and pepper and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Include the sausage, seasonings, chicken broth, okra, canned tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Close the lid and pressure valve tightly and set the cooking time to 10 minutes on high pressure.
  • Release the pressure manually and then add the shrimp, allowing it to cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Expert Tips

  • Maximum Flavor: Take time to saute the onions, peppers, and celery, which is also known as the holy trinity of cajun cooking. This helps to develop the base flavors and enhance the gumbos taste.
  • Don’t Rush the Roux: When making the dark roux you want to be patient and give it time to fully develop. Stir constantly and wait patiently for it to become a dark color.
  • Garnish: You can garnish you gumbo with fresh herbs such as parsley or green onions. Garnishing your gumbo adds a pop of freshness and a visual appeal.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Calories: 461kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 595mg | Potassium: 751mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 865IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 3mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Cajun

This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic-inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe.  I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients, and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible to the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.

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