Gumbo Z’Herbes Recipe (Green Gumbo)

5 from 14 votes

Gumbo Z’Herbes Recipe (Green Gumbo)

Green gumbo, or "gumbo z'herbes", is a Louisiana classic Creole gumbo with mixed greens like kale, collards, beet greens smothered in a rich gravy, so good! Easy to make vegetarian.

Prep Time10

Cook Time2

Total Time2 10

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cajun, creole, dinner, gumbo

Servings:

Calories: 516kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Ingredients

3/4 cup peanut oil or vegetable oil
3/4 cup flour
1 large green bell pepper chopped
2 jalapeno peppers chopped (optional, for spicy - use serranos for spicier)
1 large white onion chopped
2 celery stalks chopped
4 cloves garlic chopped
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
8 ounces salt pork or pickled pork (or use andouille) sliced into ¼ inch slices
8 ounces smoked ham diced (optional)
6 cups vegetable stock or chicken stock for non-vegetarian
2 pounds mixed greens – collards, mustard, turnip, chard, dandelion, etc.
2 bay leaves
Cooked white rice for serving, if desired

Instructions

Add peanut oil to a large pot and heat to medium heat. Add flour and stir. Cook for 20-30 minutes, constantly stirring, until the roux browns to the color of peanut butter (or darker). I prefer a nice dark roux the color of chocolate.
Add peppers, onion and celery. Stir and cook about 5 minutes.
Add garlic, andouille, smoked ham (if using), and Cajun seasoning. Cook another minute, stirring.
Stir in the vegetable stock and the chopped greens, then bay leaves. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 90 minutes, or until the greens are very tender.
Serve over white rice if preferred, or straight into a bowl.

Video

Notes

If you'd like to thicken your gumbo, stir in a tablespoon or 2 of file powder at serving.

Nutrition