Sneak Preview: This Easy Gumbo Without Tomatoes is full of chicken and smoked sausage. Directions are included for making a roux in a microwave.
Gumbo is like meatloaf. Everybody prefers his Mama’s meatloaf unless Mama doesn’t make it. But, unfortunately, my mom didn’t make gumbo, so I had to figure it out for myself.
If you don’t already have a family recipe for gumbo, I think you’ll like this relatively simple one.
Just so you know.
I’m not Cajun, nor do I claim to be an expert in the cuisine, although I did honeymoon with my husband in New Orleans. Does that count?
I don’t remember much about the food on that trip, so I doubt it.
My brother-in-law introduced me to gumbo years ago. He was adamant about no tomatoes in his gumbo recipe. I ended up loving his gumbo and no-tomato policy, so I do the same.
Regarding okra in gumbo: We love it, but I don’t think the Cajun police will arrest you if you leave it out.
Ingredients and substitutions:
- ONIONS: White or yellow, fresh or frozen
- GREEN BELL PEPPERS: Fresh or frozen
- CELERY: Fresh or frozen (I’ve never seen frozen celery in the grocery store, but I like to freeze chopped celery and keep it on hand for soups.)
- GARLIC CLOVES: Fresh, jarred, or frozen
- OIL: Use a vegetable oil with a high smoke point. Avocado oil is ideal.
- FLOUR: All-purpose flour, bleached or unbleached
- CHICKEN BROTH: Use bouillon, cubes, or canned broth. The best broth is what you make yourself, of course.
- SEASONINGS: Make sure you are using relatively fresh seasonings, not old dusty seasonings that have lost their flavor.
- HOT PEPPER SAUCE: I like Frank’s Hot Sauce or Tabasco.
- OKRA: Fresh or frozen sliced okra. Leave this out if preferred.
- SMOKED SAUSAGE: Andouille sausage is really delicious but I rarely have it. Otherwise, I use smoked sausage links.
- CHICKEN: I use rotisserie chicken because it’s so convenient, both white and dark meat. Leftover turkey is a good substitute.
Why make roux in the microwave?
1. Microwaved roux requires less oil.
Making a roux (the characteristic dark brown flour and fat mixture) in the microwave is not traditional. Nonetheless, it works and requires much less oil than on top of the stove. I use a 2-quart Pyrex batter bowl because it can withstand the heat.
In this Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, I used 1 part fat to 3 parts flour. If you prefer, use two parts fat to 3 parts flour or do 1:1 proportions.
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2. Less time is needed to obtain a dark color.
Microwave ovens vary. But in my OLD microwave, the roux will go from blond to medium-dark chocolate in about 10 minutes. Of course, your timing might be different, so pay attention. If necessary, record how long it took to get the color you want so you will know for the next time.
3. When using less oil, you must mash the clumps of flour and oil against the side of the bowl.
Instead of just stirring like you can do when using 1:1 oil and flour, you must press the flour and oil against the side of the dish to evenly distribute the heat and make sure the roux browns evenly. You’ll see what I mean when you try it.
WARNING:
Do not use untempered glass or a plastic container for this method. Fat and flour get extremely hot and could melt or break your dish.
How to make a roux in the microwave:
What do I serve with gumbo without tomatoes?
I serve gumbo the traditional way, with rice at the bottom of the bowl. I’ve heard that some people put potato salad under their gumbo. I load my bowl with mashed cauliflower, then pour gumbo over the top.
Serve with French bread, bread machine sourdough loaf, or a classic bread machine sourdough bread. You might be like my husband. He likes saltine crackers with his gumbo.
More recipes for Cajun-food lovers
A Cajun Dip for Sweet Potato Fries
Creamy mayonnaise and ketchup spiced with Cajun seasoning and a hit of molasses combine to create Cajun Dip for Sweet Potato Fries
Easy Shrimp Étouffée
This creamy, spicy, tomato-y mixture with shrimp makes a great company dish when served over rice.
Cajun Chicken Fricassee with Mushrooms
Cajun Chicken Fricassee with Mushrooms starts with a roux-based gravy. Add in Cajun seasonings and you've got a winner. A good make-ahead dish.
Red Beans and Rice
Red Beans and Rice made from dried beans and fresh ingredients--possibly better than Popeye's
Did you enjoy this recipe? If so, you can help others and me by leaving a 5-star 🤩 rating in the comment section below. No comment is required.
p.s. If you have any questions or suggestions, you can email me privately: Paula at saladinajar.com.
Hope to see you again soon!
Paula
Simple Chicken and Smoked Sausage Gumbo Recipe without Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups chopped onions
- 1 cup chopped green bell peppers
- 2-3 stalks celery
- 2-3 garlic cloves
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup flour
- 6 cups warm chicken broth - I boil the bones from a Rotisserie chicken
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2-3 dashes hot pepper sauce - I like Frank’s
- 1 10 oz-package frozen sliced okra (thawed) - or 1 -2 cups sliced fresh okra
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 pound smoked sausage
- 1 pound diced cooked chicken - (I use a Rotisserie chicken, no skin)
Instructions
Making the roux:
- Stir oil and flour together in a microwave-safe bowl. A Pyrex 2-quart batter bowl works perfectly. Place into the microwave and cook on HIGH for 8-10 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon after every minute for the first 5 minutes and about every 45 seconds thereafter. Stir and mash flour against the side to be sure the mixture is the same color throughout before returning to the oven. (If you see black specks, it has burned and needs to be thrown out. Start over again being careful not to overcook by stirring frequently and thoroughly.) Cook until the oil and flour mixture is the color of chocolate. Some people like it even darker…not me.
Making the gumbo
- Spray large heavy-duty Dutch oven with a light coating of vegetable oil and saute onions, pepper, and celery. Cover to sweat and cook vegetables while completing step two.
- Add roux to softened vegetables in a Dutch oven. Stir warm broth and remaining seasonings into roux and vegetable mixture until roux is completely dissolved. Simmer 45-60 minutes. Add okra and chopped parsley. Cook another 10-15 minutes.
- While veggies simmer, dice sausage into medium size pieces. Saute it in a medium skillet until brown. (Helps to relieve sausage of some of its grease.) Drain.
- About 5 minutes before ready to serve, add sausage and chicken to pot and heat through. Remove bay leaves, taste, and adjust seasonings.
- Spoon cooked, long-grain rice into a bowl and cover with gumbo. Serve with saltines or toasted French bread.
Kelly M James
Monday 12th of October 2020
Do you have a seafood gumbo recipe?
Paula
Tuesday 13th of October 2020
Hi Kelly,
I do not have one on the blog. Seafood is pretty expensive where I live, so we don't eat it much. Thanks for asking.
Gretta
Tuesday 12th of February 2019
I made this today and it was so good! Thank you for sharing.
Tracee
Monday 9th of September 2013
I've got everything chopped and ready to go...but, noticed your ratios of flour and oil. I have always used equal amounts of each. Is this ratio due to putting it in the microwave??
Tracee
Friday 7th of June 2013
My first attempt at Gumbo was about 5 years ago. I stood at the stove and stirred that roux for about an hour. The roux was almost the color I wanted and then my husband walked into the kitchen without me hearing him...so when he spoke to me, I was so startled and the roux that was on the wooden spoon ended up on fingers. I had four fingers with 3rd degree burns. The roux essentially "melted" my skin and flesh all the way down to the bone!
We abandoned the roux and rushed to the ER because the pain was so intense I kept blacking out! Seeing the bones in my fingers probably contributed to the blackouts.
I am finally ready to try again. I can't decide if I am going to use the microwave for the roux, or use the oven. I've read that you can put the oil/flour in a dutch over and cook it in the over. Wish me luck!!
Paula
Monday 10th of June 2013
Oh dear Tracee. Do be careful no matter how you decide to make it. You can also cook the flour by itself without oil in an oven for a much lower fat gumbo. But--it sure does smell up the house in a weird way. Good luck with your gumbo.
Courtney
Thursday 21st of February 2013
This looks so delicious! I was wondering if this could be crock potted at all. I was thinking to go up to step 3 and brown the sausage, then throw everything in to simmer for a few hours. I've never used a roux before, would it be ok to use it that way or would this turn out horribly?
Paula
Friday 22nd of February 2013
Worth a try Courtney. Haven't done it myself.