Gumbo made without roux, but it still has that authentic flavor!

Hey cousins! I’m back with a highly requested recipe. This time around I’m going to show you how to make Slow Cooker Faux Gumbo! So many of you are gumbo fans. Many tried and love my Seafood, Sausage, and Chicken Gumbo, others rave about my quarantine sausage and chicken gumbo, but y’all still had a few requests. Some of my cousins wanted me to make gumbo in the Crock Pot, and others want a gumbo without a roux. So I decided to combine the two, and share my slow cooker faux gumbo.

Don’t get it twisted y’all… Just because I call this my faux gumbo, doesn’t mean that it’t not packed with flavor. I simply call it faux gumbo because there isn’t a roux. Instead I sneak tomato paste in the mix (don’t come for me!! It’s STILL fire!!)

Make no mistake this gumbo is indeed amazing. Serve it with cornbread, rice, and hot sauce, and your family will be amazed. Get the recipe below, and don’t forget to leave your questions and comments down below! XOXO
Print this “faux” gumbo recipe below, and be sure to share it with your friends and family!
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Slow Cooker Faux Gumbo
Ingredients
- 2 lbs crab leg clusters
- 1 lb jumbo shrimp deveined
- 1 lb andouille sausage chopped
- 2 lbs chicken your favorite piece
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 tsp creole seasoning
- 1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 8 garlic cloves minced
- 1 large green bell pepper diced
- 1 large yellow onions diced
- 2 cups chopped okra fresh or frozen
- 1 tbsp gumbo file'
Instructions
- Add the tomato paste and chicken broth into a 6 qt, and mix well.
- Next add in the chicken, andouille sausage, onions, bell peppers, okra, garlic, creole seasoning, and black pepper.
- Turn the slow cooker on high, and let cook for 4 hours.
- Once everything has been cooking for 3 hours add in the crab, and shrimp.
- Stir the ingredients, and place the lid back on the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle in the gumbo file' during the last 15 minutes of cooking, and stir in.
- Once the gumbo is done serve with rice, cornbread, and hot sauce.
- Enjoy!
Try these gumbo recipes as well!


This recipe was right on time. So so good thank u baby girl. Gumbo is my favorite dish. Slow cooker recipe yesssssss
XOXO!!!
Keep em coming
Rosie girl this was . I’ve always wanted to make gumbo but never been confident enough to make a roux. I made this for some of my family that are from Louisiana and they all were ready for seconds and thirds! Thank you so much! Excited to try out some of your other recipes please keep them coming ️ ❤️
Yayyyy!! I’m so glad that you, and your family loved the recipe Amanda! XOXO
Hey Cuzo,
just wanted say my wife loved the Seafood Broil recipe I made for her Birthday. I can’t wait to try these for her thanks!
YAYYYY!!! Thanks for trying my recipe!
I can’t wait to try this… Thank you
So do i need to cook the gumbo for 3 or 4 hours before putting the seafood in there.
3 hours. You add the seafood during the last hour.
She said after 3 hrs cooking then add the crab meat and shrimp.
Real nice Rosie!! Thanks
Can I replace chicken broth with seafood stock?
You sure can 🙂
Thank you Prima for the recepie. Can I use the ruex if I want to? My boys have been asking for gumbo and crockpot is my friend right now. Saludos.
Sure, you can make adjustments if you choose.
Can’t wait to try this recipe! Last week, I made your slow cooker neckbones and it was simply DELISH! Keep sharing your recipes!
Should the chicken be cooked before placing in the crockpot?
No, it will cook in the CrockPot.
Hi Rosie,
Can the Okrah be substituted for anything?
I’ve never had it before.
Hi Dee, you can omit the okra if needed 🙂
I tried this recipe and followed it to a “T”. My gumbo was amazing! The flavor was absolutely wonderful. An Orleans native had some and said I put my “foot” in it. Thanks for your delicious recipes.
Awesome!!! Thanks so much for trying my recipe!! XOXO
Hi Rosie,
Creole seasoning I have tony checere ot slap yo mama which one should I use? Should I use skin on chicken leg and thigh portions or chicken breast or even chicken wing I got all those, what do you recommend? I’m so excited about this!!!
Hi there! I used Tony Chacheres. XOXO
I made this today and it was PERFECT! We don’t like okra, lol, so I did add cornstarch mixed with cold chicken broth to thicken around 15-20min before it was done. I am trashing my past gumbo recipes for this one! Cousin Rosie was spot on with this one!!!
I haven’t tried this recipe yet, but I am eager to do so. I first want to know what is roux and what is gumbo file’? Where can I find it in a grocery store?
Hi there. No roux is use in this recipe. Roux is a combination of fat & flour. Gumbo file is a powder. You can Google “Gumbo File'” for more information. XOXO
I followed the recipe but I didn’t find any file anywhere. Is that what makes it brown in color? Mine was orange from the tomato paste. What did I do wrong?
Yes, The Gumbo File’ does add color.
I made this two weeks ago and it turned out great!!!!!!! The reason I’m here is because I needed to refresh my memory so I can make this again for Mother’s Day! Yum, yum, yum!
YAY!!! Glad that you like the recipe Nikki! XOXO
My mom is from Louisiana an made gumbo all the time. Spending hours in the kitchen making a roux exectra. So I was very skeptical about making this gumbo… It was DELICIOUS didn’t miss making a roux it’s packed with flavor, I added red pepper flakes and cayenne cause we like it HOT. Way to go Rosie plan to make this again.. Please keep the crock pot recipes coming. Tonya
Hi Tonya!! Thanks so much for giving my recipe a try! XOXO
I shared the final product with my neighbors and they loved it. . I made a big pot of gumbo and it was gone in one day.
During this pandemic I have turned to your website for tasty and easy meals. Thank you.
I’m combining this with another simple recipe…basically what you did with this. I haven’t ate it yet but I already know it’s gonna be good. Please share all of your Cajun creole recipes because it’s one of my favorite flavors in the south!!!
Hey Rosie, THANK YOU for sharing. This is perfect timing for rainy weather and football season! So my son is 13 and LOVES gumbo, to the point his aunty made him a pot as a Christmas gift! I have never made it, he craves it alll the time. He’s a picky eatter and really only likes seafood, my dilemma is neither me or my husband eats any seafood. So I don’t really know how to buy or prepare seafood. This question might sound odd buy can you explain how to buy the shrimp and crab? Is it frozen or do I go to the meat counter? And about how much do I need? I really want to make this for my son He’s skin and bones I gotta fatten him up with some foods to enjoys. Thank you for any suggestions!!
Hi Kelley! I usually go to the seafood/ meat department and pick the fresh stuff.
I’m making this right now so we can enjoy it tomorrow. So excited! Thanks Rosie!
That gumbo looks delicious I love gumbo I eat it anytime of year now cousin Rosie send me a bowl over
Definitely trying this.
I can’t wait to try this. Didn’t think you could make without the roux.
I don’t know if this post counts for the blog post entry for the Thanksgiving dinner, but baby this gumbo looks blessed!!!
Would it be ok to use turkey sausage and leave out the seafood?
Hi Morgan. Maybe you should try this recipe instead.
I love this recipe, and am making it for a potluck this weekend! Last time I used crab claws instead of the clusters, and this time I’m trying it with 1lb of crab leg clusters. So I need to break up the cluster, or leave as is?
It will be fine left as is 😉
Do you need to chop chicken breast for this recipe or leave as is? Thanks
Hi Kay! You’ll be able to shred the chicken towards the ends.
I made this just as indicated in the recipe and, oh my, it was delicious!!. My family raved about it. I love all of your recipes and have made a lot of them. Keep them coming. They are fabulous!
Thanks so much for trying my recipe!
Hi Rosie,
Just Can I make this in the Instant Pot? How long?
Hi Bianca. This can be made in the Instant Pot, but it would require more steps. I will share all the steps in a different post.
Hi, can I use jumbo lump crab instead of in shell crab?
Hello. Sure you can do that.
Just Pre ordered your Holiday Cookbook. Can’t wait to try. Thank you
Ran across your “Ultimate Seafood Recipe” which has led me to several others.
Can’t wait to enjoy them!
Thanks
Hi, I’m Shirley from Atlanta. I found your recipe, but I only have imitation crab . I’m following your directions of course with a little change. Thank you for sharing your recipes, yeah the roots of grandparents run deep. God bless you sweetheart.
Hi Shirley! Thanks so much for trying my recipe. XOXO
This is very delicious and easy to make. The only thing I changed was using golden mushroom soup instead of the tomato paste. Turned out fabulous !!!
Hi Rosie! My first time ever making gumbo and my family loved it! In fact, my husband said, “Keep that recipe!” I love the no-roux shortcut and making it in the crockpot! I served it with rice, potato salad, and cornbread. Thank you for sharing!
PS I was so happy to find gumbo filé in my small grocery store! I have never heard of it before!
Yay!! So glad that you like the recipe.