Mardi Gras kicks off this Tuesday!
This week's Make it Tonight recipe is one I love to make at the end of the week to utilize all the leftover bits of vegetables I have. It is also a perfect cozy dish for Mardi Gras!
Before I get to the recipe, if you're wondering...
The Difference Between Gumbo and Jambalaya:
Gumbo and jambalaya both feature the "holy trinity" (onions, bell peppers, celery) and rice, but differ primarily in texture and preparation: gumbo is a thick, soup-like stew served over rice, while jambalaya is a one-pot rice dish where rice is cooked in the broth. Gumbo relies on a dark roux or okra for thickness, whereas jambalaya is generally a drier, more consolidated dish.
ANY Vegetable Gumbo
(a.k.a. Kitchen Sink Vegan Gumbo)
What you'll need:
1/2 small onion (any), dice
1 celery stalk, small dice
1/4 to 1/2 bell pepper, seed and dice
2 garlic cloves, mince
2 tbsp flour
1/2 cup okra (optional)
2-3 cup vegetable broth
1/2 can (about 7-oz) diced tomatoes
2-4 cups chopped vegetables (any, see note)
1/2 tsp Cajun or Creole seasoning
OPTIONAL:
1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Liquid smoke or smoked paprika
Louisiana hot sauce or cayenne, to taste
1 tsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
1 cup cooked kidney beans, black eyed peas, lentils*
1 cup cooked brown rice, quinoa, or other grain
DIRECTIONS:
Pour 1/2-cup broth into a large pot.
Cook onions, peppers, and celery until onions are translucent.
Add garlic and cook 1-2 minutes more.
Turn off heat.
Stir in flour to coat well.
Stir in 2-cups broth gradually, until the broth is smooth.
Add tomatoes, vegetables, and spices/seasonings.
Cover and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and summer until vegetables are tender, about 5-10 minutes
Thin with broth if desired.
Add beans and serve over rice.
Note: I typically use carrots, green beans, cauliflower, mushrooms, or more onion/celery/bell pepper. If using greens, add at the end.
To use red lentils, add 1/4-cup plus another 1/2 cup broth and cook 5-7 minutes. Add vegetables and cook another 7-10 minutes.
calories 236 — fat 1.3g — carbs 50.4g — fiber 6.6g — sugars 8.9g — protein 7.1g — serves 2
NEVER MISS A RECIPE!
Make it Monday/Tonight is also a free newsletter!
Signup here to get a new recipe every week.
ON THE MEAL PLAN THIS WEEK:
Romantic Romesco Pasta (top rated)
Mighty Aphrodite Bowls (top rated)
Ethiopian Red Lentils (Misr Wat)
Irish Nachos
Broccoli Fritters
Palak "Paneer" (Scott's fave)
Jambalaya
Kale & Potato Chowder (updated)
Cajun Chili
Green Goddess Panini (brand new)
Creamed Spinach Risotto
Bistro Beet Burgers (top rated)
Kissing Kale Pasta (top rated)
Thai Sloppy Joes
Each week's meal plan is designed to take the guesswork out of weekday meals.
Every recipe is simple, practical, and made for real-life schedules—not perfection.
👉 Grab the full 7-day meal plan FREE and make dinner the easiest decision of the week.
