This Vegan Gumbo Provides the Coziest Kick We’ve Ever Experienced

Depending on where you are in the world, the weather has likely been more or less nippy for a while now. You may have noticed yourself gravitating to hot, steamy dishes rather than iced concoctions, and it makes perfect sense. Is there anything more satisfying than hot food on a cold day? 

This month also happens to be Veganuary, in which hundreds of thousands of participants worldwide are taking up the challenge to eat vegan — that means zero animal-based products — for 31 days. 

The fact that so many people are going to be on the hunt for meat-free heat this month inspired us to search for the most satisfying, warming vegan dish in our recipe collection, one that heats you from your head to your toes, delights the taste buds and fills your stomach with plant-based goodness. 

This was a tall order for a single dish, but hearty vegan gumbo filled it perfectly. This meat-free take on a Louisiana classic is brimming with kicky Cajun spices and a multitude of vegetables, starting with that aromatic “Holy Trinity” of Cajun and Louisiana cooking: celery, bell peppers and onions. Okra lends a satisfying thickness to the broth along with that distinctive “grassy” flavor you can’t find in any other vegetable. Serve it all over hot white rice for extra heartiness.

You won’t miss the meat, either — not with roasted marinated jackfruit making an appearance. If you’re new to jackfruit, you’re in for one of the most fun surprises of the culinary world. Many find that jackfruit takes on the savory, rich flavor of pulled pork if you cook and season it like you would a meat dish. So whether you plan to go plant-based on a permanent basis or not, you might find this such an amusing trick that you incorporate this unique ingredient into more dishes on meat-free days. 

Nothing beats gumbo when you're seeking a dish that will heat you up, and if you're vegan or seeking a meat-free dish for health or variety, this is the gumbo for you. Let us know how your adventure in vegan gumbo goes! Would this be your first vegan dish? Let us know in the comments.

View Recipe: Vegan Gumbo