Calling all gumbo lovers! We’ve got the very best side dishes for you. If you’ve chosen to make gumbo, chances are you’re cooking for a large group, or as a weekly family meal.
It’s one of those dishes that’s incredibly easy to make in large quantities, and feed even the biggest of crowds.
It can, however, be difficult to think of tasty and interesting side dishes to accompany your tasty meal. This is where we come in. If you’re searching for some of the very best side dishes, we’ve got you covered.
Simply keep reading to find out more below.
1. Cilantro Lime Black Bean Rice
People will typically opt to serve their gumbo with plain white rice, but why not try something a little different? If you want to make this family dish even more warming, why not try adding some hearty black beans to the mix.
This is sure to fill up all of your hungry guests.
2. Potato Salad
This one is a great side dish for hearty gumbo. The freshness of the potatoes, covered in plenty of creamy mayonnaise is great for freshening up the heavy dish.
We love the flavor of the parsley in this potato salad recipe, and it even boasts a little added extra spice. Top with some chopped hard boiled eggs, and you’ve got one of the tastiest side dishes ever.
3. Marie Callender’s Cornbread
If you want something incredibly hearty and delicious to serve with your gumbo, then we recommend this cornbread recipe. It’s made in the traditional Southern style, and as a result, is an incredibly comforting side dish to eat.
The only issue is that your guests won’t be able to get enough of this cornbread, and you’ll get lots of questions regarding the recipe.
4. Cheddar Biscuits
If you want to add a little flavor and tang to your gumbo, why not try these delicious cheddar biscuits? Not only are they incredibly filling, but they’re also super delicious. In addition to this, they’re super easy to make, so great for when you’re catering for a bigger crowd.
In addition, we love the tanginess of the cheddar, which really comes through with this recipe.
5. Air Fryer Hush Puppies
Looking for a recipe for hush puppies that you can make easily in your air fryer? We’d recommend this recipe, which is absolutely to die for.
They’re incredibly moist, golden, and crispy all at the same time. We think the saltiness of the hush puppies pairs excellently with the gumbo.
6. Simple Healthy Slaw
If you’re on the lookout for something healthy and simple to serve with your gumbo, then you simply have to make this recipe.
Let’s face it, sometimes all we need is some delicious gumbo on our plates, and we don’t require additional carbs on the side. In these cases, some delicious homemade coleslaw is always a winner.
7. Easy Tomato Cucumber Salad
Who knew that a simple cucumber and tomato salad could taste so good? If you want to make an incredibly fresh and moreish salad, then we’d recommend whipping this easy one up.
We love the crisp texture of the cucumber, and the juiciness of the tomato, which just works so well when paired with the rich flavors of the gumbo.
8. Cracker Barrel Fried Okra
If you want to find a dish that’s both nutritious and delicious, then this fried okra has it all. It sticks to the Southern theme, but still boasts some healthy filling.
Deep fry this otherwise moist vegetable until it’s golden and crisp. We promise that once you get one taste of these delicious little morsels, you won’t be able to get enough.
9. Savory Crepes
If you want to try something a little more elaborate, then we’d recommend this delicious crepe recipe. Some of you might find this side dish a little strange, but we promise that it pairs excellently with hearty gumbo.
It also only requires a few ingredients, most of which you’ll already have in your kitchen. Whip this up to satisfy some hungry mouths.
10. Jalapeno Cornbread
Looking for a cornbread recipe that’s a little different? We’ve got you covered, because this jalapeno cornbread is absolutely delicious.
We absolutely adore this recipe, as it contains plenty of jalapenos to satisfy those with a craving for spice, as well as lots of tangy cheddar cheese, which makes the perfect accompaniment. They’re also incredibly fluffy and moist, the texture we all know and love.
11. Cajun Corn Maque Choux
If you want to try something a little different, then we’d recommend trying this colorful maque choux recipe. It’s an incredibly vibrant, and tasty dish that is sure to satisfy your guests. It’s also incredibly quick and easy to make in large quantities.
A Louisiana classic, we can’t get enough of this traditional dish.
12. Pickled Jalapenos
If you love all things spicy, then why not try these pickled jalapenos as a side dish for your favorite gumbo recipe?
They’re incredibly sweet, tangy, and spicy at the same time. These make the perfect accompaniment when you don’t want something too heavy on the side.
13. Corn On The Cob
Another great side dish that’s perfect for when you don’t want something too bulky. There’s truly nothing better than fresh, sweet corn on the cob.
Pair this with your gumbo and we promise that your guests won’t be disappointed. It’s elevated by the rich butter placed on top, as well as the well placed cajun seasoning.
14. Crab Cakes
If you’re a seafood lover, then you simply have to try these delicious crab cakes. They are made using jumbo crab, which means that you don’t need to fuss over the filling too much.
These go great with any kind of gumbo, not just the seafood variety, so feel free to pair them with your favorite recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we’ve covered some of the very best side dishes for gumbo, we can move on to discuss some frequently asked questions some of you had.
When it comes to which salad you choose to serve with your gumbo, we’d recommend keeping things simple. A quick and easy garden salad makes a great accompaniment, and is also very fresh when paired with the rich flavors of the gumbo.
In addition, it’s very easy to simply place it at the center of the table, and allow your guests to spoon it on their plate.
Those who have been cooking gumbo for decades claim that it tastes best when you have good chicken stock. The better the quality of the chicken stock, the better the flavor of the meal overall.
This is allegedly the most imperative ingredient in your cooking arsenal.
Gumbo is an incredibly popular dish that finds its origins in the South, specifically Louisiana. It is made with very rich stock, along with seafood. In addition, it contains a few key vegetables in the mix.
These are bell pepper, onion, and celery, each of which adds a fresh flavor to the dish. It’s essentially regarded as an incredibly thick stew. Because it also incorporates okra, and sassafras leaves, both of which have an unusual flavor, it has quite an unique taste.
It can be made with a variety of different meat options that aren’t exclusive to seafood. Some people prefer to make it with chicken or beef instead.
The key difference between gumbo and jambalaya is that gumbo is served with rice separately. Jambalaya, on the other hand, incorporates rice into the mixture whilst it’s still cooking.
Final Thoughts
To sum up, there are a whole host of different side dishes that may accompany gumbo. It’s an incredibly versatile dish, therefore, it suits a lot of different accompaniments.
Whether you’re looking for something dense and carb heavy, or something fresh and vibrant, there’s a side dish out there for you. Simply take a look at our list above.
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