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Plant Based Instant Pot

September 13, 2019 · 9 Comments

Instant Pot Oil-Free Mushroom Gumbo

Fall· Gluten-Free· Main Course· Mains· No Oil Added· Nut-Free· Recipes· Recipes by Course· Recipes By Seasons· Soy-Free· Special Diets· Spring· Vegetable Recipes· Winter

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If you want to see just how much flavor you can squeeze out of a few vegetables, you need to make my Instant Pot Oil-Free Mushroom Gumbo.

The veggies cook down to create an intense umami broth that’s thickened with toasted oat flour to make the flavor even more complex. But don’t worry it’s really easy to make!

Instant Pot Oil-Free Mushroom Gumbo in a red wing pottery bowl topped with brown rice

Can You Make Gumbo Vegan?

Of course, you can. I’m a firm believer that anything can be made vegan. In this mushroom gumbo recipe, it’s the mushrooms that really up the flavor.

When the mushrooms cook down with the onions, peppers, and garlic it creates a deep, rich flavored broth that’s the base of the dish.

This broth creates a stew that rivals traditional gumbo in my opinion.

Is Gumbo Supposed to be Thick?

Gumbo, vegan or not, is a thick stew that’s a hearty meal once you top with a scoop of rice. With that said different recipes can vary in thickness, but it should be thicker than a soup in my opinion.

How Do You Make an Oil-Free Roux?

Well, it’s not a roux per say, but this oil-free method still adds flavor and thicken this stew.

A traditional roux is comprised of flour and oil, that’s cooked slowly until it’s rich and dark.

We are slowly toasting flour instead. This adds flavor. I’m using oat flour, but you could use wheat, brown rice, and other flours if you want.

How Do I Eat Vegan Gumbo?

In a bowl silly! Okay, I’ll get serious. Gumbo is either served over rice or is topped with a scoop of rice.

When I eat my mushroom gumbo I stir it all together and add a little hot sauce too. Traditionally that would either be the spicy Tabasco sauce or the more vinegary Louisiana hot sauce – Texas Pete if you live in North Carolina.

Instant Pot Oil-Free Mushroom Gumbo in a red wing pottery bowl topped with brown rice

I Can’t Find Fresh Okra

That’s not a problem at all. You can use frozen okra instead and that’s available all year round.

You may find that your frozen okra is a little less or a little more than called for in the recipe. I say throw caution to the wind and use that amount anyhow. Be a gumbo rebel!

While we get fresh okra in later summer, gumbo is the ultimate cool-weather dinner and leftovers freeze great!

What’s the Difference Between Gumbo and Jambalaya?

Gumbo is a thick stew that’s topped with rice and has a roux base. In this recipe we are just using toasted flour as our roux to make this an oil-free version.

Jambalaya is a rice dish that’s made with broth but ends up being more like a casserole.

My Instant Pot Black Eyed Pea Jambalaya

What is the Cajun and Creole Holy Trinity?

I lived in New Orleans for 12 years and food is really at the center of its culture. You can buy pre-cut trinity in every grocery.

The holy trinity is a combination of onion, bell pepper, and celery. While onion is most commonly used, shallots are great and can be subbed for onion if you have them.

What Other Ingredients Can I Add to a Vegan Mushroom Gumbo?

I like this gumbo just as written, but it is a lighter gumbo. If you’re looking for something more filling try adding 1 to 2 cups of any of the following:

  • Crumbled tempeh
  • Cubed tofu
  • Shredded Jackfruit
  • Reconstituted Soy Curls
  • Cauliflower florets
  • Cooked Beans
  • Carrots

How Long Does Mushroom Gumbo Last in the Fridge?

This should last up to 1 week if all your veggies were fresh.

Can I Freeze Vegan Gumbo?

Yes you can. I suggest to freeze in single portions or enough for 1 family meals.

You can easily double this recipe to make sure you have some left over to freeze.

Serving Suggestion

Be sure to try this with steamed brown rice, but you can use any kind of cooked rice. I like to switch it up with Instant Pot Red Rice sometimes too!

More Hearty Recipes to Try

  • Mushroom Congee Recipe
  • Instant Pot Vegan Dirty Rice
  • Instant Pot Jalapeno Hot Sauce Recipe
Instant Pot Oil-Free Mushroom Gumbo in a red wing pottery bowl topped with brown rice

Instant Pot Oil-Free Mushroom Gumbo

Kathy Hester
This may be the best gumbo I've ever made. The mushrooms cook down into a decadent dark broth that makes this reminiscent of a traditional gumbo. There is no oil but we still toast up some oat flour to give our gumbo a thick broth and add another depth of flavor.
4.46 from 24 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 30 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 518 kcal

Equipment

  • Pure Ambrosia: LaJaunie Family Traditions Recreated for Health and Longevity
  • Gluten-Free, Vegan Cooking in Your Instant Pot
  • The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook for Your Instant Po

Ingredients
  

Water Saute Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups minced onion
  • 2 cups bell pepper I used red ones but any color will work
  • 1 cup minced celery or 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 2 cups chopped mushrooms

Instant Pot Ingredients

  • 4 cups water
  • 3 cups sliced okra
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 vegan bouillon cube store bought or homemade
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 2 teaspoons marjoram
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon regular paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder or use more if you like it hot
  • Before Serving
  • Salt or Salt Substitute to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Roux Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup oat flour

For Serving

  • 2 cups steamed brown rice
  • 1 cup minced celery

Instructions
 

  • Heat the water on high saute in your Instant Pot. Once hot add the onion and saute until translucent. Add the bell pepper, celery, and garlic, saute 3 minutes more.
  • Add in the mushrooms and saute until the mushrooms are cooked down and the liquid is dark and it’s not watery anymore. We are making a rich broth that will be the flavor base of our gumbo. Turn the saute off.

    Next add the water, okra, bay leaves, vegan bouillon cube, nutritional yeast, marjoram, smoked paprika, regular paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper powder. Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.

    While the gumbo is cooking we will toast the oat flour in a saute pan on the stove. Cook over medium low to medium heat, stirring continuously to make sure it does not burn. They key to a good flavor is to slowly toast the flour.
  • Once the flour is about 2 to 3 shades darker, remove from heat and place in a bowl.

    Release any additional pressure on your Instant Pot manually, because some of it could have released while you were toasting the flour.
  • Remove the lid and dip out about 1/2 cup of the gumbo broth and add it to the bowl with your toasted flour. Mix well. If there are a few pieces of oat floating around don’t sweat it. It will still incorporate into your gumbo.
  • Mix the slurry into the gumbo and add salt or salt substitute and pepper, to taste.
  • Ladle up in individual bowls and plop a 1/2 cup steamed brown rice in. You can serve with hot sauce on the side.

Notes

To make this extra special stir in some chopped greens when you are adding salt.
Or make it heartier by adding tofu cubes, crumbled tempeh, or even hearty veggies like cauliflower, carrots or potato in the Instant Pot when you are adding the okra.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 518kcalCarbohydrates: 105gProtein: 16gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 251mgPotassium: 1341mgFiber: 14gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 3706IUVitamin C: 119mgCalcium: 158mgIron: 4mg
Keyword gumbo, instant pot gumbo, mushroom gumbo, no oil gumbo
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Instant Pot Oil-Free Mushroom Gumbo in a red wing pottery bowl topped with brown rice
« Vegan Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes
Thai Style Eggplant Mushroom Stew w/ Tofu »

Comments

  1. betsy shipley says

    September 21, 2019 at 7:41 pm

    I don’t have an instant pot so could this be made in a regular pot on the stove?

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      September 21, 2019 at 10:22 pm

      You can make it on the stove.

      Reply
  2. Dean says

    September 26, 2019 at 3:14 am

    So, this is one of my favorite vegan recipes!!! I had a coronary event two years ago and converted immediately to a plant-based diet. Cajun food was always one of my favorite cuisines. Honestly, I had given up on roux-based gumbos until this recipe. Toasting the oat flour really worked! I am completely amazed. I followed the recipe to the letter except that I sauteed the veg in white wine and omitted the cayenne pepper (didn’t have any). Served it with brown rice and my family was delighted. Going forward, I may try to use a better quality mushroom. The baby bellas were good but I think shitake or oyster mushrooms would make it more interesting.

    Reply
  3. Thea says

    October 11, 2019 at 4:21 pm

    What vegetable would you recommend as a substitute for orka?

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      October 11, 2019 at 4:28 pm

      That’s a hard one since okra is traditionally included. Maybe try green beans to mimic the color or sweet potato because that will “melt” in and thicken the stew.

      I hope that helps!

      Reply
  4. Eric says

    October 12, 2019 at 5:48 am

    I don’t see a mention of adding the yeast in the instructions. When to add and what does it do?

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      October 12, 2019 at 12:36 pm

      Thanks for noticing and letting me know. It goes in the pressure cooker with the pressure cooker ingredients. I’ve updated the instructions.

      Reply
  5. Marianne says

    January 4, 2020 at 3:44 am

    I’ve been eating a plant-based diet for a little over 3 months, and this is my favorite recipe so far. I’m having to force myself to try making other things, because I just want to keep making and eating this! Thanks for sharing it!

    Reply
    • Kathy Hester says

      January 4, 2020 at 4:15 am

      You’ve already made my year! Thank you so much for your kind words. Let me know if there’s something you’d like me to make a wfpb recipe of just let me know.

      Reply

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