Quick and Easy Keto Gumbo

Want to try out a new low-carb recipe for dinner? Then this keto gumbo is the one that you should go with. It is insanely easy to make and doesn't take up much time. And you won't believe how great the outcome will be.

This keto gumbo is as close to the real thing as it gets. Of course, there are a few differences since our goal was to make it keto-friendly, so there are lots of substitutions. But the truth is, once you try this gumbo, you won't be able to resist it.

One serving of this keto shrimp gumbo contains only 8 grams of carbs and calls for just 10 simple ingredients. If it's your first time making it, you might be overwhelmed, but actually, the cooking process is pretty straightforward and hassle-free.

Table of Contents

• What Is Gumbo?
• Is Gumbo Compatible With Keto Diet?
• Needed Ingredients
• How to Make Low-Carb Gumbo
• Do You Need to Make Roux?
• Storing Instructions
• Recipe

What Is Gumbo?

Gumbo is a stew-like flavorful soup that's most popular in Louisiana (New Orleans). There are lots of variations of the original recipe and cooking methods. Usually, such a dish is either made with meat or shellfish, okra, and, of course, the famous roux.

Is Gumbo Compatible With Keto Diet?

It depends on what ingredients you use for making your gumbo. Since the traditional gumbo calls for roux (made of all-purpose flour), such a dish variation is not keto-friendly. Also, many add rice to their gumbo, which is also not compatible with the keto diet. 

But if made out of low-carb ingredients, I see no reason why you should not enjoy a nice warm bowl of gumbo.

Needed Ingredients

I love those keto recipes that don't require lots of complicated and strange ingredients. And this keto gumbo is one of my favorite dinner recipes since it calls for only 10 ingredients. So, here's what you should prepare for this low carb gumbo:

• Shrimp
• Polish kielbasa or andouille sausage
• Okra pickles
• Diced tomatoes
• Celery
• Olive oil
• Chicken broth
• Riced cauliflower
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne pepper

Well, and of course, you'll need some salt and ground black pepper. But you should adjust the needed amount to your own preferences.

If you don't like the flavor of the shrimp and polish kielbasa combination, it's okay to choose only one of these ingredients and make gumbo based on it. However, if you make any changes in the ingredients that you use, the nutritional value of the cooked dish will change.

And if you have cajun seasoning, you can use it instead of garlic powder and cayenne pepper. 

How to Make Low-Carb Gumbo

Once you've gathered all of the ingredients, you can start to cook your keto gumbo. I recommend you use either a large wok or a large deep skillet with high sides to make this dish. 

So, here's what the overall cooking process looks like:

1. Cook shrimp and kielbasa, and add spices.
2. Add vegetables and saute.
3. Add diced tomatoes and chicken broth and simmer.
4. Add cauliflower rice and cook until soft.

That's it! As you see, there's nothing complicated in cooking this keto sausage gumbo. Just remember that you should add all ingredients at once since you'll end up overcooking some ingredients. But if you follow the low-carb gumbo recipe card instructions and add the ingredients at the right time, you should be just fine. 

Alternatively, you can definitely cook this keto gumbo either in a slow cooker or an Instant Pot. You can choose whichever option is best for you.

Do You Need to Make Roux?

The original roux is definitely not an option on keto since it's made of all-purpose flour. However, there are a few ways to make gumbo roux that is both tasty and compatible with the keto diet. 

It is okay for your gumbo to look more like a soup; that's exactly what it should look like. But if you're concerned about the thinness, then you can simply sprinkle your low-carb gumbo with some file powder (or xanthan gum). This will thicken it, and the gumbo sits, so be careful not to add too much of it.

But since my goal was to come up with a keto gumbo recipe that is easy, quick, and simple to cook, I chose to skip making the roux. And trust me, you won't regret making it this way. 

Storing Instructions

If you have any keto gumbo leftovers, you can either cover the plate with some plastic food wrap or move it into an airtight container and place it into your refrigerator. You can store it this way for up to 2-3 days. Then whenever you want to serve the gumbo, just reheat it in your microwave and enjoy.

Also, if you want, it's possible to freeze this low-carb gumbo. Simply transfer it into a freezer-safe container and place it into your freezer. This way, the gumbo should last up to 4 months.

Recipe