This Instant Pot gumbo, packed with shrimp and kielbasa sausage, is a hearty, comforting meal that you can make in under 30 minutes.
We love this version of gumbo because it’s rich, filling, and easy to prepare. The flavors brought back memories of a trip to New Orleans, where the city and its cuisine left a lasting impression.
On a visit to New Orleans we enjoyed the atmosphere and the food—sitting on a patio eating a bowl of gumbo and a shrimp po’boy is a simple pleasure. That experience inspired this quicker, weeknight-friendly version that still tastes like the South.
This Instant Pot gumbo adds variety to the dinner rotation. It’s thick, flavorful, and perfect when you want a satisfying meal without a lot of fuss. For busy households, a pressure cooker like the Instant Pot makes it easy to get dinner on the table fast.
If you’re craving a taste of New Orleans at home, try this shrimp-and-sausage Instant Pot gumbo.
Scroll to the recipe card below for the printable Instant Pot gumbo recipe.
How to make Instant Pot gumbo
Gather your ingredients before you begin to make the process smooth and efficient. You will need olive oil, kielbasa sausage, onion, green pepper, garlic, cayenne, black pepper, diced tomatoes (undrained), frozen shrimp, salt, water, and cornstarch.
1. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté. Heat the olive oil, then add the sliced kielbasa and chopped onion. Cook about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften and the sausage releases some flavor.
2. Add the chopped green pepper, minced garlic, cayenne, black pepper, diced tomatoes (with their juices), frozen shrimp, salt, and 1 cup of water. Close the lid, turn the pressure valve to sealing, and set Manual (High) pressure for 6 minutes. When the cook time finishes, perform a quick release.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 3 tablespoons of water until smooth to make a slurry. Set the Instant Pot back to Sauté, pour in the slurry, and stir constantly until the gumbo thickens to your liking.
4. Turn the Instant Pot off, ladle the gumbo into bowls, and serve warm. It pairs nicely with rice or crusty bread.
Instant Pot Gumbo
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Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 14 ounces kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2″ chunks
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 14 1/2 ounces diced tomatoes, undrained
- 12 ounces frozen shrimp, shelled and deveined
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water (for slurry)
Instructions
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Set the Instant Pot to Sauté. Cook the kielbasa and onion in the oil for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Add the green pepper, minced garlic, cayenne, black pepper, diced tomatoes (undrained), frozen shrimp, salt, and 1 cup of water.
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Close the lid and set the pressure valve to sealing. Cook on Manual (High) pressure for 6 minutes, then do a quick release.
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Whisk the cornstarch and 3 tablespoons of water until smooth to make a slurry.
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Set the cooker to Sauté again, stir in the slurry, and cook until the gumbo thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
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Turn off the Instant Pot, serve the gumbo warm, and enjoy.
The nutritional information provided is approximate and should be used only as a general guideline; values will vary based on brands and preparation methods.
