Gumbo is the official dish of the state of Louisiana. It is best described as a cross between a soup and a stew, traditionally made with a meat-based stock, one or several items of seafood or meat, bell peppers, celery, and onions.
There is a rich earthiness to the flavor of Gumbo, and because it’s so warm and hearty, it represents comfort and home for many people.
What makes Gumbo even better, in addition to its deliciousness, is the fact that it’s actually good for you! The average bowl of Gumbo only contains approximately 200 calories and packs a punch of protein from meat and seafood.
Plus, all of the traditional ingredients needed to make Gumbo are 100% Paleo, so there’s no shortage of incredible Paleo Gumbo recipes to choose from. We’ve picked out our top 9 Paleo-friendly Gumbo recipes to share with you today!
The 9 Best Paleo Gumbo Recipes
40 Aprons Healthy Authentic Seafood Gumbo
Our favorite Paleo Gumbo recipe is the 40 Aprons Healthy Authentic Seafood Gumbo.
This recipe is made with shrimp, which is a common seafood protein to include in Gumbo. However, it also features crab meat and sausage. These 3 proteins deliver an exceptional flavor combination. The saltiness of the sausage combines perfectly with the slight hint of sweetness from the crab and shrimp.
The 40 Aprons recipe is easy to follow and only takes 5 minutes for preparation, although you’ll need to set aside 3 hours for cooking.
Real Simple Good Slow Cooker Gumbo Recipe
We also love the Slow Cooker Gumbo Recipe from Real Simple Good.
Like most traditional Gumbo recipes, it contains sausage meat and shrimp. Additionally, this recipe calls for boneless chicken thighs.
The cajun seasoning mix adds a kick of spice to the completed dish, and the way the spice infuses the flavor of the whole stew after 8 hours in the pot is incredible!
The Movement Menu Whole30 Instant Pot Seafood Gumbo
The Movement Menu’s Whole30 Instant Pot Seafood Gumbo is the perfect Paleo Gumbo recipe if you want to whip up a delicious, hearty Gumbo without the prolonged cooking times.
As our first couple of recipes have demonstrated, Gumbo traditionally needs a lot of time simmering in the pot before it’s ready to serve. Using an instant pot, as this recipe recommends, you can cut that time down to just 35 minutes.
This recipe calls for sea bass in addition to shrimp. Sea bass is a sustainable protein source and contributes a comforting, buttery flavor to the dish.
Paleo Flourish Paleo Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo
This Paleo Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo recipe from Paleo Flourish takes an hour and ¾ to make from start to finish, so it’s a good middle ground if you want to make Gumbo the traditional way without leaving it to cook for several hours.
The proteins used in this recipe are smoked sausage and shrimp. We especially love how the rich flavor of the smoked sausage pairs with the cajun spice. If you’re looking for a Paleo Gumbo recipe to tickle your tastebuds, this is it!
TastyThin Instant Pot Gumbo with Shrimp and Chicken
TastyThin never fails to pull it out of the bag when it comes to healthy, delicious Paleo recipes, and this Shrimp and Chicken Instant Pot Gumbo is no exception.
This Instant Pot Gumbo is intensely flavored with cajun spice, onions, and garlic. It has a very soup-like consistency, but the chicken breast and shrimp make it really filling and satisfying.
What makes this recipe even more impressive is the fact that it only takes 10 minutes to prep and 20 minutes to cook! It’s perfect for busy professionals, parents, or students who want to enjoy good, wholesome Paleo food without the time commitment.
Southern Bytes Paleo Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Southern Bytes’ Paleo Chicken and Sausage Gumbo is the Paleo Gumbo recipe we would recommend if you’re looking for a more stew-like consistency.
Much of the flavor in this recipe, other than the basil, thyme, parsley, and marjoram spice mix, comes from andouille sausage. Andouille sausage is a type of French smoked sausage with a distinct smokey flavor.
This Gumbo is thickened with almond flour, so it fills you up and will make you feel satisfied while remaining healthy and Paleo-friendly.
Olive You Whole Whole30+ Paleo Gumbo Recipe
This Paleo Gumbo recipe from Olive You Whole leaves you with a lot of flexibility to substitute, add, or remove ingredients, and alter the cooking time according to your schedule.
With andouille sausage and chicken breast, this dish already has plenty of protein. However, the chicken and tomato broth, seasoned with paprika, oregano, and thyme, also pairs well with shrimp, as the recipe suggests.
We love that this recipe allows for anywhere between 45 minutes and 2 hours for cooking, so no matter how busy you are, it’s easy to make the Olive You Whole Gumbo work for you.
The Roasted Root Shrimp Gumbo Soup
The Roasted Root’s Shrimp Gumbo Soup takes a total of 45 minutes to prepare and cook from start to finish, so this is another great option for busy cooks.
This recipe uses shrimp and andouille sausage as the protein but doesn’t rely on the meat and seafood to carry the dish. The herbs and spices in the recipe include parsley, oregano, paprika, and thyme.
Paleo Leap Seafood Gumbo
Last (but certainly not least!) we highly recommend the Paleo Leap Seafood Gumbo.
This is an interesting Gumbo recipe because it features crab meat, crab claws, and oysters in addition to shrimp. If you’re a big fan of seafood, this is definitely the Gumbo recipe for you.
Final Thoughts
Paleo Gumbo can sometimes be time-consuming to prepare, but the extensive cooking time is definitely worth it for the incredible flavor.
Alternatively, there are plenty of instant pot Gumbo recipes out there that allow you to enjoy the taste experience of Gumbo without having to wait 3 or more hours for it to be ready.
Ultimately, Gumbo is one of the most satisfying and delicious Paleo-friendly recipes you’ll have the pleasure of making.