Visit any seafood restaurant and you’re sure to see gumbo on the menu. This classic Creole dish is known for its truly unique flavors and deep cultural roots. Whether you’re a history lover or just want to know a little more about what you’re eating, here is some insight into where gumbo comes from.

What Is Traditional Gumbo?

Traditional gumbo is made from meat or shellfish and features bell peppers, onions, and celery. It’s known for its powerful stock and thickener, which often include okra and file powder—a combination of dried and ground sassafras leaves. 

First, seafood restaurant chefs prepare the base. They then add sausage, ham, shellfish, and any other meats and allow it to simmer for several hours. A variety of spices are added, and the gumbo is then served over rice. The result is a flavor profile that’s both sweet and sour with a thick texture. Depending on where you eat, the gumbo may be spiced with cayenne pepper to create an even more diverse flavor.

Where Does It Come From?

Gumbo represents the blending of cultures that took place in the Southern U.S. during the 18th and 19th Centuries. It draws from Native American, Spanish, French, and African culinary philosophies. 

New Orleans, LA, was established in 1718. The following year, slave ships began delivering rice, which was then cultivated in the area, as well as okra and hot peppers. French settlers took these African ingredients and adapted them to French soup recipes, resulting in an early form of gumbo. 

The first written references to gumbo appeared in 1802. Throughout the century, American cookbooks began to feature recipes for gumbo, and it regularly appeared on the menus of seafood restaurants. It became a signature dish of Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, and many variations developed, including sweeter and less-spicy options, please every palate.

If you want to try delicious gumbo and seafood, stop by Tin Top Restaurant & Oyster Bar. Serving Bon Secour, AL, and Baldwin County, this locally owned and founded seafood restaurant has welcomed customers since 2004. They serve a diverse selection of food, including oysters, sashimi, steak, and crab. View their full menu on their website and connect on Facebook to receive news and updates. Call (251) 949-5086 to book a reservation.