Celebrate with friends this month with an easy-to-host, casual gumbo dinner. Whether you’re wanting to create a fun and tasty Mardi Gras moment or just get together over a warm and hearty bowl of something special to liven up the winter months, this simple dinner party plan is just what you need.
What’s in this guide?
You’ll find 5 recipes, a stress-free timeline (a total of only 3.5 hours) and shoppable links to create a beautiful table. Everything but the inviting’s been done for you!
- The recipes are simple, authentic Louisiana and southern recipes that don’t require a lot of time standing in the kitchen, prepping lots of ingredients, but still deliver loads of flavor your friends will rave about! All but one can be prepped or made ahead of time.
- Set an easy, casual table that’s not over the top. For this gumbo dinner, I skipped the dining room table, and we gathered at the kitchen island instead for a fun, casual evening. It’s where everyone hangs out anyway! For a more themed “Mardi Gras” look that’s not over the top, add in some purple dinner napkins.
- The timeline is broken down into doable, detailed increments so that you can get ready for your dinner with friends even when your schedule is busy. The timeline starts 2 days before the event but is only about 3 or so hours total time.
Hosting An Easy Gumbo Dinner
Gumbo is more than recipe; it’s a get together all by itself. It’s what we call “big pot food.” It’s one of those dishes that’s cooked up in a large pot with more than enough to share. It’s community and there’s not much more needed than “Come on over. We’re having a gumbo dinner!” to draw a crowd.
And this recipe I’m sharing here never disappoints. It’s one of our treasured family favorites. It’s easy. Anyone can make it. And it has layers of welcoming aromas and savory flavor. It’s the perfect choice for a cozy winter get-together or a fun Mardi-Gras celebration.
The Magic of The Kitchen
Because I wanted to keep this dinner party really intimate, casual and fun, I hosted it in my kitchen instead of at the “expected” dining room table. Being in the kitchen together really highlighted the feeling of welcoming and home this sort of food is known for. It added an extra layer of comfort and actually made the whole evening more personal. Don’t discount the power of inviting friends into the parts of your home where you actually live.
In keeping with the “kitchen feel,” I chose a casual table setting, and we ate at the kitchen island where all the action of cooking was happening. Real dinner napkins and a complete place setting acknowledged that being together was special and that I want my guests to know that.
A Gumbo Dinner Menu
This gumbo dinner menu is decidedly deep south homestyle. It invites spending a bit slow, casual time together, good laughs, conversation that meanders and solid foundations for friendships and future get togethers.
Marinated Cheese and Olives Ring. Move over cheese boards! A marinated olives and cheese ring is a show stopping party appetizer that’s 100% gorgeously crave worthy, but ridiculously easy to make! Made with cream cheese and white cheddar slices, 2 types of olives, roasted red peppers and a simple marinade, it’s a yummy nod to the muffuletta.
Classic Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo. This is my family’s authentic Louisiana gumbo recipe with a simple, nutty blonde roux, shrimp, sausage, okra and yes, even a few Creole tomatoes, spooned over extra tasty green chile rice.
Southern Sweet Potato Cornbread. Not your usual cornbread, this recipe is subtly sweet and earthy with warm spices, a hint of molasses and a humble cornbread crumble. It’s the perfect partner for gumbo’s serious savoriness.
Pecan Pie Bars. Turn traditional pecan pie into easy dessert bars with this simple Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars recipe! With a quick buttery pecan shortbread crust and a sweet, nutty no-cook pecan pie filling, Pecan Pie Bars take pie at the holidays to whole new level.
There’s a reason these are the “Best Ever Pecan Pie Bars”! I have made these multiple times over the past year or so, and this is a repeatedly requested recipe amongst everyone in my family. There have been times I have actually had to make them twice in a week! -Morgan
As always, the bottom line is… getting together is about being together and having a great time doing it! It doesn’t have to be fancy to mean something. Make room in your busy schedule, keep it intentional and spend some meaningful time together this winter.
Everything You Need To Host A Gumbo Dinner
Table Links
- Seagrass Placemats
- Perlette Melamine Dinner Set
- 8 qt. Cuisinnart Chef’s Stock Pot
- Gold Professional Kitchen Utensils Set
- Black and White Napkin Rings
- Green Dinner Napkins with White Trim
- Tortoise Shell Drinking Glasses
- Gold Salt & Pepper Mills
- Gold Silverware Set
- Vintage-Style Amber Hobnail Glasses
- 2 Pcs Scalloped Tray Set
Gumbo Dinner Recipes
Timeline (Total Time Hrs. min.)
2 Days Before- 35-40 minutes (excluding shopping)
- Buy all of your ingredients.
- Get out items needed to set the table, cook + serve your recipes & make sure they are ready. (10-15 minutes)
- Chop your onion, bell pepper, celery, sausage and pecans to prep your recipes. Put each item in a zip top bag and store in the refrigerator. (25 minutes)
1 Day Before– 1 hour
- Make your marinated olives & cheese ring. Cover & store in the fridge. (20 minutes)
- Bake your pecan pie bars using the prepped pecans from the day before. Allow to cool completely, cover and refrigerate- but don’t slice yet! (40 minutes)
Day Of– 2 hours
- Bake your sweet potato cornbread. (35 minutes)
- While your cornbread is in the oven, start your gumbo using the veggies and sausage you prepped 2 days before. (1 hour)
- Set your table and slice those pecan pie bars while the gumbo is simmering.
Day After
- Browse through your phone and choose 1-2 pics from the night before. Order same day photo cards from your local photo lab & mail keepsake thank you notes!
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