This keto gumbo features large, juicy shrimp and spicy andouille sausage in a Cajun-flavored broth. It has lots of kick and just 8g net carbs per serving.
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There are hundreds, maybe even hundreds of thousands of ways to make soup. This soup, though, is a classic! It's most famous down south in places like Louisiana, where shrimp is plentiful, and Cajun seasoning is a way of life.
It didn't take much to create a low-carb gumbo recipe because this soup is already mostly low in carbs as it is. The main things I changed are that I didn't make a thick roux with flour, and I definitely didn't use white rice. You can easily use cauliflower rice instead if you think it's missing the rice.
This soup is packed with healthy and fresh ingredients. All of these ingredients add up and increase the carb amounts, so there are 8g net carbs in each serving. You can easily cut back on how many carbs it has by using fewer tomatoes, okra, and sausage.
Are you ready to meet your new favorite gumbo? Keep reading!
Ingredients Needed For Keto Gumbo
When it comes to soup, the fresher the ingredients, the better the soup will taste. Here is what I used in my low-carb gumbo recipe.
Meat
For this soup, I used both shrimp and andouille sausage. You can change it up and use just shrimp or just sausage. Or, make a chicken gumbo with shredded chicken breast.
Vegetables
To give it the best texture, use lots of fresh vegetables. Any type of onion will work, but I think white onion has the best taste in the gumbo.
I also used a bell pepper - any color bell pepper is perfect in the soup! Then, add some diced celery stalks too.
Minced garlic will have a lot more flavor than garlic powder, but you can use garlic powder as a replacement.
If you have fresh tomatoes, use them. If not, canned tomatoes are a good substitute.
Okra is optional. I used frozen chopped okra because it saved me time in the kitchen.
Broth
I used chicken broth, but you can use vegetable broth instead. I don't think beef broth would taste very good with the shrimp.
Seasoning
It's just not gumbo without some Cajun seasoning! Since this is supposed to be a thick soup, make a fake roux with butter and xanthan gum.
Cauliflower Rice
Gumbo is traditionally served with white rice. Instead of rice, serve some cauliflower rice. You can even use frozen cauliflower rice to save some time.
Please note: Check out the recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients used to make this low-carb recipe.
Quick Tips:
- Use frozen okra as it's easier to work with than fresh. Keep sautéing the okra until it isn't slimy any more.
- If you want the gumbo to taste spicier, just add some hot sauce to the soup as it cooks.
- Chop up some jalapeños and add them to the gumbo for a little more heat.
- Devein the shrimp before you cook them. Save yourself a step and buy deveined shrimp.
How To Make Low Carb Gumbo
The entire recipe is in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. First, here are some photos of each step so you can make the soup along with me.
Sauté The Okra
Fry the okra in olive oil (or avocado oil) in a separate skillet. Keep sauteing it until it isn't slimy anymore. When the pieces are fully cooked, set them aside.
Cook The Vegetables
Cook the onions, celery, and peppers in the large pot you'll use to make the gumbo. Add some butter and keep cooking until the vegetables are nice and soft.
Saute The Garlic
Next, add the garlic and saute it for about 30 seconds. Just keep stirring and cooking it until you start to smell it.
Brown The Sausage
Add the sausage to the large soup pot and cook it for a few minutes. Just cook it long enough for it to brown up a little bit.
Add The Broth
Now you are ready to add the chicken broth and all those yummy seasonings! Stir in the chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, and diced tomatoes. This is also a good time to add that cooked okra to the gumbo.
Bring the gumbo to a boil, cover it with a lid, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. This is when all the flavors really infuse really well.
Add The Shrimp
Shrimp does not take very long to cook, so add it last. It only needs to cook for about 5 minutes.
Mix In Cauliflower Rice
These last few steps are optional. Add some cauliflower rice and let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes. Then, add some salt and pepper.
Tip: If you want the gumbo to be thicker, add a little bit of xanthan gum.
What To Serve With Keto Gumbo Recipe
You can still enjoy the classic recipes that go with gumbo, even if you are on a low-carb diet.
This coconut flour cornbread recipe only has 2g net carbs per slice, and it tastes the same as traditional cornbread.
Another thing people love to eat with gumbo is crab. I think these easy keto crab cakes are the perfect thing to serve with this soup.
Keto crackers are also fun to crumble up into the gumbo. They are crispy, salty, and only have 3g net carbs in each serving.
Frequently Asked Questions About Keto Gumbo
Before we get to the recipe card, just a little further below, here are some questions people often ask about low-carb gumbo.
Is okra keto-friendly?
Yes, okra is a keto-friendly vegetable. There are only 4g net carbs in each serving of okra. This is because it has so much fiber in it that it brings that net carb amount down.
Can you eat gumbo without rice?
Yes, you can definitely eat gumbo without rice. Cauliflower rice is a perfect substitute for white rice, or you can leave it out entirely.
Can I use polish sausage or kielbasa instead of andouille sausage?
Yes, kielbasa sausage is a workable replacement for andouille sausage. It is a smoked link sausage, but it has a slightly different taste. Andouille is the sausage traditionally used in gumbo, but kielbasa is a close second.
This keto gumbo is the perfect soup to make when you are craving something spicy! The shrimp and sausage combination is perfect and tastes amazing with the okra. It's a classic recipe that is amazing any time of year.
More Low-Carb Soup Recipes
If you enjoyed this spicy keto gumbo, then you'll want to check out these delicious keto soup recipes next. They are some of my favorites.
- Keto Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup is made with ground beef, cheese, and lots of heart-healthy ingredients.
- Easy Keto Lobster Bisque is incredibly rich and creamy and only has 4g net carbs per serving.
- Ramen Shirataki Noodle Soup makes a quick and filling lunch with only 1.1g net carbs in each serving.
- Unstuffed Cabbage Soup is another low-carb soup recipe that is super-filling and can be your entire dinner.
- Keto Vegetable Soup will nourish your entire body with fiber-rich vegetables in a savory broth.
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Recipe
Keto Gumbo
Ingredients
- 1 lb. Shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 Link andouille sausage sliced
- ½ Medium onion diced
- 1 Bell pepper diced
- 2 Stalks celery diced
- 2 tsp. Minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp. Cajun seasoning
- 4 C. Chicken broth
- 1 C. Diced tomatoes
- 10 ounces frozen okra chopped
- 1 C. Cauliflower rice
- 1 Tbsp. Olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Xanthan gum as needed optional
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the chopped okra until it is no longer slimy.
- Add the butter to a pot over medium heat and cook the onions, celery and peppers until softened.
- Mix the garlic into the pot with the vegetables and saute another 30 seconds.
- Place the sausage in the pot and saute a few more minutes.
- Stir in the chicken broth, cajun seasoning, diced tomatoes and cooked okra.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then simmer covered for 20 minutes.
- Add in the shrimp and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Mix in the cauliflower rice and simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes until it is softened.
- Add salt and pepper to taste and mix in some xanthan gum a little at a time if you would like a thicker sauce.
Low Carb Sweeteners | Keto Sweetener Conversion Chart
Nutrition
Additional Info
Notes on Nutritional Information
Nutritional information for the recipe is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts as it has been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Copyright
© LowCarbYum.com - Unauthorized use of this material without written permission is strictly prohibited unless for personal offline purposes. Single photos may be used, provided that full credit is given to LowCarbYum.com along with a link back to the original content.
Susan
Without the cauliflower rice, what size is one portion?
mamaowl
OH. MY. WORD. This soup is AWESOME! My whole family enjoyed this. Even the picky eater! The only thing we changed was we used diced tomatoes and green chiles since we were out of regular diced. Not sure we will ever go back. LOL. Thanks for saving dinner. My new favorite soup. ????
Sidney Patin
Try Tony Chachere's original creole seasoning for the cajun seasoning. Way way better than McCormicks.
His website is:
https://www.tonychachere.com/product/original-creole-seasoning/
I wouldn't pay more than 3 or 4 bucks for it. Walmart carries it here in Colorado Springs, so it might be in yours too.
Sidney Patin (a Cajun from Louisiana)
Sherry
Your Keto recipes have been a lifesaver for me. I started this new diet and have been struggling to find recipes that I like until I found your website. Thank you for all your hard work!
Lisa MarcAurele
I'm so happy the low carb recipes are working for you!
Mandy Applegate
I loved this keto gumbo, I'm a big fan of shrimp and my family loved it!
Jennifer
There's so much flavor in this dish! I loved all the meaty chunks and the veg cooked up perfectly!
Paula
This was so good, my family loved it.
Shelby
Gumbo is the perfect Sunday night dinner meal to use up all the things in the fridge. I love that this is a hero version and not too heavy.