Nothing says comfort like a warm, flavorful bowl of slow cooker gumbo with rice.
This traditional dish blends the bold flavors of the South with the convenience of a slow cooker, making it perfect for busy households.
This simple recipe involves putting everything in a slow cooker and walking away for a few hours, returning to a delicious meal.
What Is Gumbo?
Before we get into the details of cooking gumbo with rice, we should cover what Gumbo is!
Gumbo is a beloved dish from Louisiana, known for its rich blend of cultural influences, including French, African, and Spanish cuisines.
Traditionally, gumbo consists of a flavorful roux-based broth, a mix of proteins like sausage, chicken, or seafood, and a medley of vegetables like celery, onion, and bell peppers. Served over rice, gumbo delivers a hearty, satisfying meal.
The meal is traditionally made with a large stock pot; however, this recipe calls for a slow cooker, which helps the flavors steep together and makes it convenient to put together and walk away until it is ready!
Why Use a Slow Cooker for Gumbo?
Making gumbo in a slow cooker is a game-changer. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, creating a deeply flavorful dish with minimal effort.
Plus, it's an easy way to ensure tender chicken, juicy sausage, and perfectly cooked gumbo rice.
Tips for the Perfect Slow Cooker Gumbo with Rice
To make sure that your slow cooker gumbo with rice comes out perfectly for you and your family try these tips!
- Use Quality Sausage: Andouille sausage is traditional when making gumbo, but you can choose your favorite smoked sausage for this recipe.
- Don’t Rush the Roux: Creating a roux is simple but when rushed you can burn it with too high of heat or it can get clumpy if not stirred enough. A golden-brown roux is your goal, which will add a rich, nutty flavor to your gumbo rice.
- Make it spicier: If you like your meals spicier add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to customize the spiciness.
-
Choose Fresh Ingredients: While frozen ingredients are convenient, using fresh ingredients will help with the texture and overall flavor of the dish.
Gumbo Rice Variations
Looking to make this slow cooker gumbo with rice your own? Try these easy variations:
- Seafood Gumbo: Most gumbos are made with shrimp as well as chicken and sausage. You can add even more seafood with crawfish.
- Vegetarian Gumbo: Love the flavor of gumbo but don’t eat meat? Use vegetable broth, skip the meat, and add beans or mushrooms for a delicious vegetarian gumbo variation.
- Try Different Rice: Traditionally gumbo would be paired with white rice, or a white rice alternative like Chico Rice Blonde Milled California Japonica rice, but if you want a more nutritious grain switch it out with brown rice!
These variations ensure there’s a gumbo for everyone, no matter their dietary needs or preferences.
Storing and Reheating Gumbo
Gumbo often tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Here’s how to store and reheat it:
- Storage: Transfer any leftover gumbo to an airtight container. This can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. However, store the rice separately to prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Freezing: If you are not able to eat it in three days you could also freeze it! Portion it into freezer-safe containers, leaving space for expansion, and freeze for up to 3 months.
-
Reheating: When reheating warm the gumbo on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally. For convivence, you can also microwave it until it is hot. Don’t forget to add a microwave-safe covering before heating.
Why Choose Chico Rice for Gumbo?
Blonde Milled California Japonica Rice from Chico Rice makes a great pairing to this gumbo recipe. The rice is a glutinous variety (not to be confused with gluten, this rice is naturally gluten free!) which means that it is naturally sticky and can handle liquid-type meals, like gumbo, without getting soggy or breaking apart.
When you choose Chico Rice, you are also choosing a company that is committed to excellence and freshness. Chico Rice is grown, harvested, milled, and packaged all on a farm in the Sacramento Valley in California.
After harvest the rice is milled in small batches before packaging and sending it directly to customers. This allows customers to get the freshest rice possible that can be easily tasted!
Recipe: Slow Cooker Gumbo with Rice
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4-6 hours
Total Time: 4-6 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6-8
What You Will Need:
-
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
-
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, diced
-
1 large onion, diced
-
1 bell pepper, diced
-
2 celery stalks, diced
-
4 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
-
4 cups chicken broth
-
1 ½ tsp Cajun seasoning
-
1 tsp paprika
-
1 tsp dried thyme
-
2 bay leaves
-
1 tbsp olive oil
-
Salt and pepper to taste
-
Fresh parsley and green onions for garnish (optional)
Cooking Instructions:
Cook the Gumbo:
1. In a medium-sized skillet, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat. Add the diced onions, bell peppers, and celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables have softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
2. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour into the skillet with the vegetables. Stir constantly for about 3-4 minutes, until the mixture turns golden brown, creating a roux. This step will help thicken the gumbo and add rich flavor.
3. Transfer the vegetable and roux mixture into your slow cooker. Add the canned diced tomatoes and liquid, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, paprika, thyme, and bay leaves. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Add the sliced smoked sausage and diced chicken thighs to the slow cooker. Stir to mix everything evenly, ensuring the chicken and sausage are well-coated with the broth and seasonings.
5. Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on high for 5 hours. The gumbo is ready when the chicken is tender and cooked through, and the flavors have melded together.
6. While the gumbo is cooking, prepare the gumbo rice.
Cook the Rice:
1. Rinse 1.5 cups of Blonde Milled California Japonica rice.
2. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 ¼ cups of water to a gentle boil.
3. Add the rinsed rice to the boiling water.
4. Reduce the heat to low, and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
5. Simmer on low for 20 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for an additional 5 minutes.
7. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
8. Once the gumbo is done cooking, remove the bay leaves and discard them. Serve the gumbo over the prepared rice.
9. Garnish with fresh parsley and green onions if desired. Enjoy!
Cook This Slow Cooker Gumbo with Rice Today!
There’s nothing quite like the comforting flavors of slow cooker gumbo with rice. Whether you stick to the classic chicken and sausage gumbo recipe or try your hand at a seafood variation, this dish is guaranteed to please.
With the help of Blonde Rice from Chico Rice, you can elevate your gumbo recipe game and create a meal that’s as flavorful as it is memorable.
Now it’s your turn to bring this Southern favorite to your table. Try this recipe, make it your own, and enjoy the heartwarming flavors of this classic dish.
