Gumbo is on the menu for Christmas this year at our house — make it ahead and keep it warm in the crockpot so you can spend more time with family. Gumbo is comforting, crowd-pleasing, and ideal for a holiday when you don’t want anyone stuck in the kitchen all day.
Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
This Chicken and Sausage Gumbo is an excellent make-ahead option for Christmas dinner. Packed with okra, tomatoes, smoky sausage, and tender chicken, it reheats beautifully in a crockpot and delivers classic Creole flavor without fuss.
Mary’s Creole Seafood Gumbo
Mary’s Creole Seafood Gumbo, a recipe from my mother-in-law, is rich and hearty. Brimming with seafood and seasoned with Creole spices, it offers a comforting taste of New Orleans that’s perfect for a holiday gathering.
Louisiana Seafood Gumbo
Erin’s Louisiana Seafood Gumbo is a thick, satisfying stew finished with a dark roux and loaded with the classic vegetables. She finishes it with a trio of meats—crab, shrimp, and andouille—for bold, layered flavor.
Turkey Gumbo
If you froze leftover Thanksgiving turkey, it makes wonderful gumbo. I often roast or slow-cook a turkey breast in the crockpot and use the meat and rich turkey stock as the base. For turkey gumbo I prefer a slightly darker roux to deepen the flavor.
Instant Pot Turkey Stock
Make Instant Pot turkey stock from a leftover carcass, bones, and vegetables for a flavorful, nutritious broth. It’s quick to prepare and adds a rich foundation to any turkey-based gumbo.
Duck Gumbo
For families with duck hunters or leftover holiday duck, duck gumbo is a lovely alternative. Simmer the ducks and aromatics for several hours until the meat falls off the bone to build an intensely flavored stock. Use a dark, chocolate-colored roux and serve the gumbo over white rice with a side of garlic toast.
Garlic Toast
This super simple garlic toast is loaded with garlic flavor and buttery goodness. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, it takes about 10 minutes to make and pairs perfectly with any gumbo.
Follow Me for More
Tap the follow button above this post to see more recipes, and sign up to receive favorite recipes by email if you’d like to get them delivered to your inbox.