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Gumbo turned out greasy and watery

Posted on 1/19/24 at 10:21 am
Posted by BayouBengal23
BR
Member since Mar 2019
575 posts
Posted on 1/19/24 at 10:21 am
Used my normal recipe but was a bit distracted during the process. I follow the Cajun ninja recipe video but didn’t watch it this time.

Anyways, flavor was good but was more watery than usual. Also had the little grease bubbles on top when served.

I froze 2 gallon bags to eat at a later time. Is there anything I could do to fix either of these options when we do reheat it?
Posted by idontyield
Tunnel Trash
Member since Jun 2022
345 posts
Posted on 1/19/24 at 10:29 am to
Bring to a simmer and skim the oil on top.

Guess you could also simmer for a while to thicken it up also.

Of course the longer you simmer the more fat will render from your sausage so the more oil you'll have to skim and if you go too long the sausage seems to dry out some.
Posted by logjamming
Member since Feb 2014
7858 posts
Posted on 1/19/24 at 10:32 am to
once thawed, let it sit out or in the fridge the fat and grease will be much easier to skin than when simmering.

To thicken, maybe a tablespoon or two of jarred roux and cook through for 30 minutes?

When I store any kind of stew, chili or gumbo in the fridge after cooking, I usually put the entire cooking vessel in and leave it uncovered. This helps the food cool at a faster pace, allows for easier skimming of the fat the next day, and seems to thicken everything up a bit more.
This post was edited on 1/20/24 at 2:46 pm
Posted by LNCHBOX
70448
Member since Jun 2009
84393 posts
Posted on 1/19/24 at 10:41 am to
File to thicken.

Or you could make a slurry with some flour and some of the gumbo liquid and incorporate that into the larger batch. Just do a little at a time until it's as thick as you want.
Posted by MeridianDog
Home on the range
Member since Nov 2010
14267 posts
Posted on 1/19/24 at 12:35 pm to
Heat in a pan on stove and turn off heat to allow the oil to come to the top. Use paper towels placed over the top to soak up the oil justgtouch them flat on top and then remove them to the trash. Do this several times and all of the floating grease and oil will be removed. You can also do this to remove some of the liquid. I always do this to take the grease off my gumbo. Works great.
Posted by keakar
Member since Jan 2017
30152 posts
Posted on 1/19/24 at 1:07 pm to
quote:

Gumbo turned out greasy and watery


too much oil in your roux, heat it up and skim off the grease

as for watery, you probably forgot to add the file'

maybe your roux separated but i would assume you would have noticed it if that happened
Posted by Tree_Fall
Member since Mar 2021
496 posts
Posted on 1/19/24 at 1:08 pm to
I think your roux broke down releasing both the oil and liquid that had been incorporated with the cooked flour. It happens to me sometimes, and I don't understand why...maybe too hot or not hot enough making the roux. Simmering and stirring during reheating helps. Corn starch will thicken but not improve the excess oil.
Posted by Tiger4Life
God's Country
Member since Jan 2004
554 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 7:31 am to
Tomatoes will cut the grease.
Posted by TBoy
Kalamazoo
Member since Dec 2007
23924 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 7:47 am to
Add vegetables like stewed okra, onions, celery and bell pepper. Not a lot. Just cook down the vegetables and add whatever you have frozen
Posted by Quatrepot
Member since Jun 2023
4106 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 9:00 am to
quote:

flavor was good but was more watery than usual.
Add more roux

quote:

Also had the little grease bubbles on top when served.
Cook it the day before you want to eat it (it’s always better re-heated) put it in fridge then skim grease after it chills. Trust me
Posted by geauxtigers810
baton rouge
Member since Jun 2004
529 posts
Posted on 1/20/24 at 9:44 am to
This has happened to me when I use older flour
Posted by saintsfan1977
West Monroe, from Cajun country
Member since Jun 2010
7815 posts
Posted on 1/22/24 at 8:48 am to
Did you use chicken with the skin on? You don't give much details.
Posted by LafayetteJay
Lafayette
Member since Jan 2005
52 posts
Posted on 1/23/24 at 4:42 pm to
Scoop off the fat when you thaw it and put some dry jar roux in it to thicken. Should probably do the trick.
Posted by Dubaitiger
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Member since Nov 2005
4965 posts
Posted on 1/24/24 at 6:25 pm to
Put it in the refrigerator. After a day skim or spoon the grease and oil.

Make you another batch of thicker mixture (water and jar roux). Reheat your first gumbo in question and add the new thicker slurry to it, and season to taste.
Posted by oldcharlie8
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2012
7808 posts
Posted on 1/25/24 at 7:29 am to
add more roux. skim the grease. problem solved.
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