Gumbo: Tools and Ingredients

By Farideh Sadeghin
October 23, 2014

All great gumbos start with a few homegrown ingredients and a pot. In the course of producing our October 2014 feature on the iconic Louisiana dish, we discovered a slew of products that were indispensable for recreating authentic Cajun and Creole flavors in our kitchen. Browse our guide for where to find and buy the best tools and ingredients for your own gumbo making. —Farideh Sadeghin

Photo credit: Ingalls Photography/André Baranowski/Farideh Sadeghin

King Kooker

King Kooker cast iron
The 8-qt., cast-iron King Kooker ($72; kingkooker.com) heats uniformly for an even, dark roux.Saveur

Savoie's Old Fashioned Dark Roux

Savoie's Old Fashioned Dark Roux
When convenience calls for pre-made roux, we use Savoie's Old Fashioned Dark Roux ($3.37 for 1 lb.; cajungrocer.com).Saveur

Poche's Market Andouille and Tasso

Poche's Market Andouille and Tasso
Along with the Cajun holy trinity of celery, onion, and bell pepper, use Poche's Market andouille and tasso ($8.62 for 1 lb.; tasso, $9.70 for 1 lb.; pochesmarket.com).Saveur

Teet's Food Store Smoked Turkey Neck

Teet's Food Store Smoked Turkey Neck
Teet's Food Store smoked turkey neck ($3.50 for 1 lb.; teetsfoodstore.com) enrich our meat gumbos.Saveur

Blue Crabs and Shrimp

Blue Crabs and Shrimp
Blue crabs and shrimp sourced through the Louisiana Seafood Board (louisianaseafood.com), star in our seafood gumbo.Saveur

Uncle Bill's Creole Filé

Uncle Bill's Creole Filé
To thicken the fried chicken and andouille gumbo, we use Uncle Bill's Creole Filé, ground from sassafras leaves ($10 for 2 oz.; fileman65@aol.com).Saveur

Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning

Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning
Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning ($2 for 8 oz.; tonychachere.com), a mix of cayenne, garlic and onion powders, dried oregano and thyme, black pepper, and salt, flavors the oxtail gumbo.Saveur

Cajun Country Rice

Cajun Country Rice
Top all of our gumbos with long-grain Cajun Country Rice ($1 for 1 lb.; cajuncountryrice.com).Saveur

McCormick's Grill Mates Mesquite Seasoning

McCormick's Grill Mates Mesquite Seasoning
Use McCormick's Grill Mates mesquite seasoning ($8 for 12 oz.; amazon.com) for smoked turkey and andouille gumbo.Saveur

Schiltz Family Smoked Goose

Schiltz Family Smoked Goose
Order smoked goose meat ($12 for 8 oz.) and rendered goose fat ($8 for 8 oz.), for the smoked goose and foie gras gumbo from the Schiltz family (schiltzfoods.com).Saveur

Smoked Turkey Wings

Smoked Turkey Wings
Purchase smoked turkey wings ($15 for 2 wings; store.frickmeats.com) to prepare the stock for smoked turkey and andouille gumbo.Saveur

Latest

Run, Don't Walk, for This Pasta Inspired by Jamaican Rundown
Broccoli-Stem Vinaigrette Is the Zero-Waste Condiment You Need on a Weeknight
The Best Glassware for Your Home Bar
Spaghetti with Shrimp Rundown Sauce
The Best Citrus Juicers To Get Every Last Drop
Panisse Is Here to Replace Your French Fries
Roasted Branzino with Broccoli-Stem Vinaigrette
6 Ice Cube Makers for All Your Favorite Cocktails
Panisses