4.9 from 36 votes
Gumbo Roux Recipe (Dark Cajun Roux)
Knowing How to Make a Roux for gumbo that's dark and packed with Cajun flavor is actually easier than you'd think. By simply whisking together some all purpose flour with butter or oil, you'll have a roux ready to use in just 30 minutes.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
8
servings
Calories:
127 kcal
Course:
Soup, Condiments, Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine:
French, American
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter or oil*
- ½ cup flour all purpose*
Instructions
- Place a saucepan, skillet or Dutch oven over medium-low heat.
- Add ½ cup of butter or oil. If using butter, let it melt completely and wait for it to start sizzling slightly.
- Sprinkle in ½ cup of flour and begin stirring immediately. Keep stirring constantly to prevent it from burning. (This stage is known as a white roux and is great to use as a thickener for soups and sauces.)
- The roux will start to thin out slightly after a few minutes and you can slow down how often you’re stirring it. After 3-5 minutes you will have what’s called a blonde roux. (This can be used to make creamy and lightly-colored sauces such as a bechamel or a sausage gravy.)
- To get a darker colored roux continue cooking it for another 5-25 minutes. After 10-15 minutes of cooking you will have a light brown roux.
- Continue cooking for a total of 25-30 minutes, to get a dark brown roux. (This is perfect for a homemade gumbo recipe!)
- Store any leftover roux in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Butter: Feel free to use salted or unsalted butter.
- Substitutes: Be careful if using a gluten-free substitute as these do not thicken up as easily as regular flour.
- To Store: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
- To Freeze: Seal in a freezer-safe airtight container in small increments for up to 1 year.
Nutrition Information
Calories
127kcal
(6%)
Carbohydrates
5g
(2%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
31mg
(10%)
Sodium
101mg
(4%)
Potassium
3mg
(0%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
355IU
(7%)
Calcium
8mg
(1%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 127
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 127kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 31mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 101mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 3mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 355IU | 7% |
| Calcium | 8mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.