This Delicious Instant Pot Gumbo is a quintessential New Orleans recipe that is hearty, satisfying, flavorful and perfect for a crowd or Mardi Gras celebration. Made with chicken, sausage, and shrimp, this pressure cooker gumbo tastes wonderful especially when served over rice. [Stovetop instructions also provided.]
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Gumbo (along with jambalaya, étoufée, red beans and rice, and shrimp creole) is a popular dish that is an essential part of New Orleans and Louisiana culture and cuisine.
Gumbo is a spicy, thick stew made with chicken, sausage, seafood, and vegetables, including okra, and is served over rice.
The origins of gumbo go back to the West Africans who were enslaved and brought to the colony of French Louisiana. West Africans used okra to thicken stews made with meat and shrimp. As a matter of fact, the word for ‘okra’ in West Africa is ‘ki ngombo’ and in French, it’s ‘gombo’.
Over time French, Native American, Caribbean, Creole, and Cajun influences created the different varieties of gumbo: thick and thin, with or without tomatoes, with seafood, chicken, or sausage, and with or without okra.
There are three ways to thicken gumbo: roux (pronounced ‘roo’), okra, and filé (pronounced ‘fee-lay’) powder, which is made from dried sassafras leaves. You can use one or more of these ingredients to thicken gumbo.
This Instant Pot gumbo recipe includes okra and roux. The roux not only thickens the gumbo but gives it a deep, rich color. Here’s an interesting article from Serious Eats, detailing the history of gumbo and the use of okra and filé to thicken gumbos.
There are seafood gumbos, shrimp gumbos, chicken gumbos with sausage and even vegetarian gumbos. This pressure cooker gumbo recipe is adapted from an authentic stovetop recipe I’ve been using for years.
This Instant Pot gumbo recipe has chicken, sausage, and shrimp. You can modify the recipe to include your choice of meats and seafood. Don’t be daunted by the number of ingredients in the gumbo. Just be organized and have everything ready to go before you begin cooking.
Traditionally, gumbo is simmered on the stove for hours, but this Instant Pot gumbo recipe will have you eating delicious, hearty, spicy gumbo in less than an hour. One of the ‘rules’ of Instant Pot or pressure cooker cooking is that you shouldn’t add thickeners like flour until the end of cooking.
Well, you’re going to break that rule when you’re making this Instant Pot Gumbo. You’ll make the flour-based roux at the beginning and add about 4 cups of chicken broth to pressure cook the dish. Make sure that the bottom of the inner pot has no stuck-on bits of food when you begin pressure cooking.
Serve Instant Pot Gumbo over rice – you should try out my Instant Pot Jasmine Rice recipe because Jasmine rice is so great at absorbing the flavors of the gumbo.
Here are some other Cajun and Creole recipes you might like to try out:
– Instant Pot Jambalaya
– Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
– Instant Pot Shrimp Etouffee
– Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
TIPS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Roux
One of the most important steps when cooking this Instant Pot gumbo is making a good roux. And this takes a little patience, about 10 to 15 minutes of stirring, possibly longer if your Saute temperature is lower than what I use.
If you don’t have the time to spend making the roux for Instant Pot Gumbo, I would suggest that you wait to make it when you’re able to give the dish the attention it needs. Roux can also be made ahead, which makes this recipe a breeze.
Roux for this gumbo is made by cooking equal parts oil and flour. When I adapted this recipe from the stovetop version, I had to change the oil to flour ratio due to sealing issues. You may find this gumbo to be slightly less thick than stovetop versions. Feel free to thicken by using the Saute function at the end.
When you make the roux it’s best to get it to the color of peanut butter or even slightly darker. The end result is a rich, aromatic mixture with a nutty flavor. As the roux gets darker, you must stir it constantly and don’t let it burn. A burnt roux will ruin your gumbo!
If it’s your first time making the dish, I recommend making the roux on the stovetop. It’s quicker and you have much more control over the heat than in the Instant Pot.
You can also make the roux using the oven. The flour is baked, and can be stored in a jar. I’ve not personally tried this method, but have had readers successfully use it.
Splatter Screen
When you’re sauteing the roux, the bubbling mixture can splatter. I like to use a splatter screen to cover the inner pot during this saute process.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes can be a polarizing gumbo ingredient! Some people feel very strongly that tomatoes have no business in a gumbo. You can omit the tomatoes if you wish. Personally, I love the flavor the tomatoes add.
Seasonings
The spices in this recipe include black, white and cayenne pepper. I sometimes substitute cayenne pepper with a Cajun or Creole seasoning, in which case I reduce the quantity of salt.
Sausage
This Instant Pot gumbo recipe also calls for Andouille sausage, which is a spicy smoked sausage. You can substitute Polish Kielbasa or Spanish Chorizo if you can’t find andouille sausage. Be sure to use smoked and not raw sausage.
Burn Message
Some Instant Pots are prone to getting the burn message. You can avoid the burn error by following these steps:
- Deglaze very well, leaving no burnt bits on the bottom of the inner pot.
- After sauteing the onions, bell pepper, celery and garlic, turn off the Instant Pot for a few minutes to let it cool down.
- After sauteing the onion mixture, stir in broth first.
- Add tomatoes at the end, after the meats. Don’t stir the tomatoes. Just submerge them by pushing down with a spatula.
- Make the roux on the stovetop and add it to the Instant Pot with the tomatoes, not stirring it in.
- Depending on your Instant Pot, you might need to add an extra ½ to 1 cup of chicken broth.
[Read more: Instant Pot Burn Message]
Instant Pot Gumbo – Ingredients
- Chicken
- Bell peppers
- Onions
- Shrimp
- Tomatoes
- Sausage
- Celery
- Okra
- Flour
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- Thyme
- Worcestershire sauce
- Bay leaf
- Black pepper
- White pepper
- Salt
- Parsley
- Brown sugar
- Lemon
- Creole seasoning (spice)
- Green onions
How to Make Gumbo in the Instant Pot (Step by Step Instructions)
- Season shrimp
- Turn on Saute Mode
- Saute chicken and sausage
- Make the roux
- Saute vegetables, add spices and broth
- Pressure cook
- Quick-release pressure
- Stir in shrimp and garnish
Season Shrimp
- Thaw and thoroughly dry the shrimp with a paper towel.
- Rub Creole seasoning all over the shrimp and set aside.
How to Turn on Saute Mode
- Instant Pot DUO: Select the Saute function.
- Instant Pot ULTRA: Select the Saute function and press Start.
Saute Chicken and Sausage
- When the inner pot is hot, add 2 tbsp olive oil.
- Add chicken and sausage and saute until lightly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Press Cancel.
- Using a slotted spoon transfer contents of the inner pot to a plate and set aside.
Make the Roux
- Add remaining olive oil and all-purpose flour to inner pot, to make a roux.
- Select Saute mode.
- Cook roux until it becomes the color and thickness of peanut butter, stirring frequently, for about 10 to 15 minutes. You can go darker than peanut butter. The darker the roux, the more intense the flavor of the gumbo, but be very careful not to burn, so stir constantly.
Saute Vegetables, Add Spices and Broth
- Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic.
- Saute until vegetables are slightly soft, about 5 minutes.
- Using a wooden spatula, scrape the bottom of the inner pot. If there are brown bits stuck to the bottom, deglaze with a few tablespoons of chicken broth, scraping off the brown bits.
- Stir in broth, white pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, salt, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, bay leaf, and frozen okra. Add reserved chicken and sausage.
- Finally, add the tomatoes on top, don’t stir but submerge by pushing down gently with a spatula.
Instant Pot Duo Pressure Cook 4 minutes
- Close the lid and make sure steam release handle is in Sealing position
- Press Manual (or Pressure Cook) and + or – until the display reads 4 (4 minutes).
Instant Pot Ultra Pressure Cook 4 minutes
- Close the lid.
- Select Pressure Cook mode and adjust the time to 4 minutes (00:04).
- Press ‘Start’.
Pressure Cooking Process (Duo and Ultra)
- Instant Pot display will change to On.
- Once the Instant Pot is pressurized, the float valve will go up.
- The display will count down to 0; it will then switch to Keep Warm mode and display L0:00 or 00 00 and begin to count up the number of minutes since pressure cooking completed.
How to Quick Release Pressure (QR) on the DUO
- Move the steam release handle to Venting. Steam will come out of the steam release handle.
- When your Instant Pot is depressurized, the float valve will be in the down position.
- Press Cancel and open the Instant Pot.
How to Quick Release Pressure (QR) on the ULTRA
- Press down on the Steam Release Button until it locks into place, and steam begins to come out of the Steam Release Valve.
- When your Instant Pot is depressurized, the float valve will be in the down position.
- Press Cancel and open the Instant Pot.
[Find out more about the pressure release methods and how and when to use them. ]
Stir in Shrimp and Garnish
- Stir in spice-rubbed shrimp.
- Close Instant Pot immediately and let the shrimp cook in the residual heat for 10 minutes.
- Stir gently and sprinkle with green onions and parsley.
- Serve over Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or a rice of your choice.
Stovetop Instructions for Gumbo
- Season the shrimp with the creole seasoning and reserve.
- Heat oil in a dutch oven over medium-high heat. Saute the sausage and chicken, and remove.
- In the same pot, cook oil and flour until the roux is the color and consistency of peanut butter.
- Saute the onions, bell peppers, celery, and garlic until the onions are translucent.
- Add the spices and saute briefly.
- Stir in the broth and tomatoes, and simmer for 15 minutes. You’ll need to add two extra cups of broth compared to the Instant Pot version of the recipe.
- Add the reserved sausage, chicken, shrimp and okra. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Serve over white rice.
See the recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Delicious New Orleans Instant Pot Gumbo
Ingredients
- ½ lb shrimp (250 grams) peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning or Cajun seasoning
- ½ cup olive oil + 2 tablespoon extra for sauteing
- ½ lb Andouille sausage (250 grams) or smoked sausage, cut into ¼ inch slices
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (500 grams) cut into bite size pieces
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup onions diced
- 1 cup green bell peppers diced
- 1 cup celery diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth (6 cups broth for stovetop version)
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 bay leaves (small) or 1 large
- 2 cups frozen okra
- 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes (1 can) or 2 cups chopped tomatoes – 411 grams
- 2 tablespoon green onions green parts only, sliced thinly
- Chopped parsley to garnish
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Rub shrimp with Creole or Cajun seasoning and set aside.
- Select Saute mode and when Instant Pot has heated, add 2 tablespoon olive oil to the inner pot of Instant Pot.
- Add andouille sausage and chicken, and cook until browned, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Press 'Cancel' and transfer chicken and sausage to a plate using a slotted spoon and set aside.
- To make the roux, select 'Saute' and add ½ cup olive oil and all-purpose flour to the inner pot.
- Cook oil and flour until the mixture resembles a dark peanut butter, stirring frequently, and being careful not to burn. This can take about 10 to 15 minutes. [See Note 1].
- Add onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Stir until vegetables are slightly soft, about 5 minutes.
- Using a wooden spatula, scrape the bottom of the inner pot to make sure there are no burnt bits stuck to the bottom. Deglaze with a couple of tablespoons of broth as needed.
- Stir in broth, white, black and cayenne peppers, thyme, salt, brown sugar, worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, bay leaves, and frozen okra.
- Stir in reserved chicken and sausage.
- Add tomatoes on top and gently push down with a spatula to submerge. Don't stir.
- Close Instant Pot and pressure cook on High Pressure for 4 minutes.
- Do a quick release of pressure and open the Instant Pot. [Read More: The Different Pressure Release Methods]
- Immediately stir in the shrimp and close the Instant Pot for 10 minutes. The shrimp will cook in the residual heat.
- Open the Instant Pot and sprinkle the gumbo with parsley and green onions.
- Serve gumbo over Instant Pot Jasmine rice.
Stovetop Instructions
- Rub shrimp with Creole or Cajun seasoning and set aside.
- Heat a large dutch oven over medium heat on the stovetop. Add 2 tablespoon oil and heat until the oil is hot and shimmering.
- Add andouille sausage and chicken, and saute until browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a medium bowl and set aside.
- In the same pot, stir together ½ cup oil and flour. Cook oil and flour until the mixture resembles a dark peanut butter, stirring frequently, and being careful not to burn. This can take about 10 to 15 minutes. [See Note 1].
- Add onions, bell pepper, celery, garlic, white, black, and cayenne peppers, salt, and brown sugar. Add more oil if needed. Stir until onion is translucent. If it begins to burn, deglaze the pan as needed, with one tablespoon broth at a time.
- Stir in worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, bay leaves, tomatoes, and broth. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the stew becomes too thick, add another ¼ cup of broth.
- Add reserved sausage, chicken, shrimp and okra. Simmer for another 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Garnish with green onions and parsley.
- Serve gumbo over white rice.
Notes
- Prep time does not include steps that are already accounted for in the ingredient list, e.g. chopped onions, minced garlic, diced chicken, etc.
- If your Instant Pot is prone to getting the burn message, I recommend making the roux on the stovetop and adding it to the inner pot after the broth.
- Note 1: The darker your roux, the more intense the gumbo flavor. However, be sure not to burn the roux, so keep stirring constantly, especially as it gets darker. Cooking the roux on the stovetop is quicker.
Nutrition
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I am not a certified nutritionist. I provide my best estimate of nutritional information merely as a courtesy to my readers. If you depend on nutritional information for dietary or health reasons, I suggest using your favorite online nutrition calculator to confirm the nutritional value of this recipe based on the actual ingredients that you use.
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Laura says
This is my favorite gumbo recipe ever! However, my instant pot has started giving a burn notice every single time I use the saute setting, no matter what I try. Any chance you could provide the stovetop recipe like you did for your jambalaya (also a fave)?
Thank you thank you thank you!
Neena Panicker says
Hi Laura, have you tried making the roux on the stovetop and then adding to the Instant Pot? That helps some people. I just added the stovetop instructions to the recipe post and recipe card!
Laura says
Thank you Neena! I really appreciate the recipe. Making it tonight!
Neena Panicker says
Laura, I hope you enjoyed the gumbo recipe!
Lola says
This was very good. I will make it again, and I will probably make the roux on the stovetop ahead of time, so there’s less to do in one day. I cooked the roux for about 20-25 minutes to make sure I had a good dark chocolate color on it.
I used 1 lb frozen shrimp because my shrimp were a bit small, and that was 20 shrimp (2 per serving x 10 servings).
Don’t forget to make rice (seriously, I did this.) And if you make the roux on the stovetop, don’t forget to add it to the pot when sauteing the veggies (holy trinity). (Yup, you guessed it, I did that, too. The recipe instructions don’t mention adding it to the pot because they instruct how to make the roux in the instant pot, so if you’re following the instructions, there’s nothing to add. I finally remembered to add the roux after I had already added the tomatoes, so I didn’t want to stir it in well and risk a “Burn” error on my IP. It still worked out well.)
Neena Panicker says
Lola, thank you for the detailed comment. I’m sure it will be helpful to others. I will try to make a not in the recipe card based on your feedback.
Nola native says
Looks good, but I don’t see where you add the okra.? Do you de-snot it or add it at the end, just before pressurizing? I don’t typically use the Instapot when making gumbo, so I was looking for those tips:)
Neena Panicker says
The frozen okra is added with all the spices. It’s mentioned in the step by step photo section and in the recipe card (step 9).
Nicole says
This is one of my go-to recipes. Just the right amount of spice. I do use a whole pound of shrimp and a bit more sausage so it feeds a few more people. Tastes like you spent all day cooking it!
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Thank you for commenting, Nicole! I’m so happy you like the Instant Pot gumbo recipe.
Whitney says
The number of bell peppers is not mentioned. Also the okra is not mentioned in the list and how much
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Whitney, both are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. You can click on the link “Jump to Recipe” that’s right at the top to get directly to the recipe card. 1 cup bell peppers is about 1 small bell pepper. And it’s 2 cups frozen okra (ingredient listed between bay leaves and diced tomatoes).
Whitney says
Oh I know what threw it off. They are not red like your other ingredients so my eyes completely failed me.
I love this recipe. I had okra and bell peppers so no worries. Stables in my home. Followed the recipe exactly. Used home made bone broth & gf flour instead, coconut sugar, blended the veggies due to picky eaters, added the whole bag of frozen okra after the timer went off because my husband doesn’t like mushy okra and then added shrimp at the end. I also added 1 more tsp of Cajun seasoning.
Thank you for an easy recipe
Paint the Kitchen Red says
I’m glad you enjoyed the Instant Pot gumbo recipe!
Leigh says
Can you double this in the 8quart
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Leigh, yes you should be able to. Keep the same cook time.
Kristen Schultz says
This recipe is not only wash to follow but the result is delicious! I used chicken andouille style sausage instead of normal but other than that, followed the directions to a T and all I can say is wow. Flavorful, spicy, YUM!
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Kristen, thank you for the comment. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Sabrina says
OMG this is fabulous! I made a few mods based on what I had on hand: substitute a couple of organic hotdogs for the sausage, 1 pound package of mixed seafood that I had in the freezer for the shrimp, and half a rotisserie chicken breast from the grocery store for the chicken. I screwed up the calculations and only use a quarter of a cup of flour to half a cup of oil which explains why the roux didn’t thicken as much but when it was all said and done, it still tasted great, just more like soup consistency. I added a little file to the roux (cooked on stovetop) after I put it in the Insta pot, and no okra as none on hand. No tomatoes touch this gumbo, mmm hmmm.
Will be making again for sure and look forward to sharing with friends this summer. Thank you so much!
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Sabrina, I’m glad your substitution worked for you. Thanks for taking the time to comment!