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Big Charlie's Gumbo

Big Charlie's Gumbo

Name: Big Charlie's Gumbo
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 3 h 30 min
Total time: 3 h 60 min
Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cups chopped onion; ¾ cup chopped celery; 1 pound okra, chopped; ¼ cup butter; ¼ cup all-purpose flour; ½ pound cubed beef stew meat; 8 cups water; 1 (16 ounce) can whole tomatoes, undrained and chopped; 1 ½ teaspoons white sugar; 1 ½ tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 1 sprig fresh thyme; 2 leaf (blank)s bay leaves; 1 pinch salt; ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper; 1 pinch ground black pepper; 1 pound andouille sausage, cut into 1/2 inch pieces; ½ pound crabmeat, flaked; 1 pound medium shrimp - peeled and deveined; ½ teaspoon hot pepper sauce; ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce; ½ lemon; file powder (see Note)

Rating: 4.62 stars

148 Ratings
118 Reviews
21 Photos

This is a basic gumbo recipe with a lot of added flavor. You can omit the stew meat if you choose or add something in its place. I recommend you serve this recipe over rice, like many other gumbo recipes.

By Eric Bernabe

Recipe Summary

prep:

30 mins

cook:

3 hrs 30 mins

total:

4 hrs

Servings:

Yield:

10 servings

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic, onions, celery and okra, stirring constantly until golden brown. Set aside.

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Step 2

In a large heavy bottomed stock pot over medium-high heat, combine 1/4 cup of butter and flour. Cook, stirring constantly, until the roux becomes chocolate brown. Stir in the vegetable mixture, and stew meat. Cook, stirring, until vegetables are tender, and meat is evenly brown. Stir in water, tomatoes and sugar. Season with parsley, thyme, bay leaves, salt, cayenne pepper and black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Step 3

Add shrimp, crabmeat and andouille to stock pot. Stir in hot pepper sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Remove seeds from lemon and squeeze juice into stock pot. Simmer an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaves, sprinkle with filé powder, if using, and serve over rice.

Cook's Note:

Filé powder can be added off the heat to thicken the gumbo. If added while the gumbo is still cooking, it may become stringy and unpleasant. File powder is ground sassafras leaves. It is available in many supermarkets.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

420.7 calories; 29.6 g protein; 15.2 g carbohydrates; 146.8 mg cholesterol; 1047.9 mg sodium. Full Nutrition

Reviews (118)

Most helpful positive review

rdd

05/10/2007

1st gumbo i made and haven't had to try any others...made this multiple times by the book and with alterations personal best is as such... use 1/3 cup flour and butter and take your time when making the roux (until deep brown) do stir constantly it will be fine... fresh okra venison rather than beef vegetable juice instead of water dbl the cayenne pepper dbl the hot sauce (a habenero xxx or hellfire) add a extra 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes use high grade andouille sausage (ordered from jacob's in louisiana on-line hard to get top-line in michigan) king crab extra 1/2 cup celery and although cognizent of the ol cajun addage "never add file when using okra as they cancel each other taste" i do add a tspn of file just as cooking is finished as well as encourage addition to individual bowls before eating...the finished product has a bite as cajun should but is not uncomfortable by any means...this recipe is always a big hit at group gatherings and expect recipes requests...thanks eric Read More

Helpful

(151)

Most helpful critical review

Chanel

04/12/2011

It came out okay but it did not have the "gumbo flavor" I've had out of New Orleans so I added some Zataran's gumbo seasoning to give it a kick. Read More

Helpful

(5)

148 Ratings

5 star values: 104
4 star values: 35
3 star values: 7
2 star values: 1
1 star values: 1

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

rdd

05/10/2007

Helpful

(151)

LISA 69

10/17/2003

This Gumbo was wonderful!! I made it for my husbands 50th birthday dinner. It does take quite a bit of time to make but it was worth every minute. I left out the stew beef and added anduille sausage to it gave it that extra bite. My best friend told me that it was THE best meal I had ever cooked and coming from her that was a major compliment!! Read More

Helpful

(110)

Eva

10/17/2003

This recipe is exceptional. I left out the beef and served it over rice it was quite good that way I didn't feel that anything was missing. The andouille sausage adds a LOT of flavor you really shouldn't substitute anything else for it. Splash in some Tabasco and you're in heaven; this meal is incredible Read More

Helpful

(81)

11/19/2007

Great recipe. I took out the beef and added a 3 pound rotisserie chicken (pulled and stringed). Also made crawfish cornbread to compliment. Next time I will use rock shrimp because I prefer whole shrimp and the ones I got had to be cut down. I simmered for an extra hour before adding meat and then simmered for another hour before adding file powder just to make sure the flavors were more combined. Was a huge hit with my friends. Read More

Helpful

(56)

A Sunbeam

09/19/2005

My boyfriend owns a bar and I made this gumbo for his Mardi gras celebration this year and everyone LOVED it. I get requests for it all the time. Now that football season is underway I'll be making it again. Thanks!!!! Read More

Helpful

(50)

DECAR48

01/25/2008

Delicious! I did substitute scallops for the beef. Great recipe as written. My hot sauce was habanero. Read More

Helpful

(49)

SPEARFISHER

02/14/2004

I thought this recipe was awesome. Very spicy. I did add oysters to the mix tho. For someone like myself that loves fiery food this is a great recipe. now if i could just convince my family to eat it! Read More

Helpful

(48)

ZERNK

01/05/2003

Wow! This was great. I used chicken instead of the shellfish and beef and it was wonderful. I would highly recommend it as a way to serve chicken. My whole family (3 kids under 8) enjoyed it. Read More

Helpful

(47)

KMURD0425

01/05/2003

I added chicken gizzards instead of the stew beef. The gumbo was everything I expected it to be. It has become one on my favorite recipes. Read More

Helpful

(47)

Chanel

04/12/2011

It came out okay but it did not have the "gumbo flavor" I've had out of New Orleans so I added some Zataran's gumbo seasoning to give it a kick. Read More

Helpful

(5)

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Nutritional Information

Big Charlie's Gumbo

Servings Per Recipe: 10
Calories: 420.7

% Daily Value *

protein: 59 %

carbohydrates: 5 %

exchange other carbs:

dietary fiber: 12 %

sugars:

fat: 41 %

saturated fat: 58 %

cholesterol: 49 %

vitamin a iu: 14 %

niacin equivalents: 89 %

vitamin b6: 34 %

vitamin c: 42 %

folate: 19 %

calcium: 13 %

iron: 20 %

magnesium: 29 %

potassium: 21 %

sodium: 42 %

thiamin: 52 %

calories from fat:

percent of calories from carbs:

percent of calories from fat:

percent of calories from protein:

percent of calories from sat fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Big Charlie's Gumbo

1 of 118

All Reviews

rdd

05/10/2007

Helpful

(151)

LISA 69

10/17/2003

Helpful

(110)

Eva

10/17/2003

Helpful

(81)

11/19/2007

Helpful

(56)

A Sunbeam

09/19/2005

Helpful

(50)

DECAR48

01/25/2008

Delicious! I did substitute scallops for the beef. Great recipe as written. My hot sauce was habanero.

Helpful

(49)

SPEARFISHER

02/14/2004

Helpful

(48)

ZERNK

01/05/2003

Wow! This was great. I used chicken instead of the shellfish and beef and it was wonderful. I would highly recommend it as a way to serve chicken. My whole family (3 kids under 8) enjoyed it.

Helpful

(47)

KMURD0425