Gumbo is a classic New Orleans dish that is rich, satisfying, and savory. Whether you’re serving chicken and sausage gumbo, seafood gumbo, or something in between, I have the best side dish ideas, appetizers, and desserts to serve with it!
Gumbo is a hearty and rich Louisiana dish that is somewhere between a soup and a stew. It is made with a dark roux, the holy trinity, and chicken, andouille sausage, okra or seafood all served over white rice. If you’re wondering what to serve with gumbo, you’re in the right place!
Authentic Cajun Tip
In southern Louisiana, an authentic bowl of gumbo is mostly always served over white rice with a scoop of potato salad. I polled a group of Cajuns on what goes with gumbo and the other popular side dishes were French bread, sweet potatoes, and an ice cold beer.
What Goes with Gumbo?
Below are the best appetizers, side dishes, and desserts that go great with a hot bowl of gumbo!
Perfect White Rice
You can't have gumbo without white rice! This stovetop method makes perfect fluffy long grain white rice every time, without a rice cooker. An essential if you're serving up some gumbo.
Potato salad is another classic dish to serve with gumbo. Some people serve it on the side, but I like to add a scoop right into the gumbo itself. This cajun potato salad has a creamy dressing of mayo, creole mustard, hot sauce and cajun seasoning. It’s creamy and packed with cajun flavor, perfect for serving with gumbo!
Homemade cornbread with a cajun twist! This cornbread is a little sweet, a little spicy, and moist. Made with buttermilk and jalapeños for a little kick.
Deviled eggs are a great appetizer to start off your gumbo dinner. Cajun shrimp deviled eggs have a creamy filling with New Orleans flavors topped with a juicy Cajun spiced shrimp. The best cajun twist on a classic deviled egg!
These Louisiana smothered green beans are cooked down with bacon, smoked ham, onions, and garlic for a rich and savory flavor. They make the perfect side dish for your southern meal like gumbo.
A spicy twist on your green bean side dish. Easy green beans side dish ready in 20 minutes! Blistered green beans are tossed in blackened seasoning, garlic, onions, and butter. Lots of flavor, little time.
Cocktail shrimp with a Cajun twist. These plump and juicy shrimp are coated with Cajun spices and roasted, then dunked into a tangy homemade Cajun cocktail sauce. Quick and easy recipe that’s ready in under 20 minutes!
If your gumbo recipe doesn't use okra, you can still serve it on the side! This fried okra recipe is fresh sliced okra coated in buttermilk and a seasoned cornmeal mixture, then deep fried until golden brown.
Cool and creamy coleslaw is a great pair for the rich and hot gumbo. A classic coleslaw recipe with creamy dressing made in just 10 minutes! This creamy coleslaw is a great side dish that’s very easy to make.
Hush puppies are a popular appetizer for New Orleans area menus. These classic southern hush puppies are made with slightly sweetened cornmeal batter, diced sweet onions, and the perfect amount of spices.
Classic French bread is perfect for dunking in that dark gumbo broth. This bread recipe is GOLD. It’s made in the food processor, there’s no kneading at all, has a crackly crust, and soft creamy crumb.
Baked potatoes are a popular side dish for gumbo served by cajun and south Louisiana families. They are easy to make and round out a filling and satisfying meal.
A classic New Orleans recipe! This muffuletta sandwich recipe has an olive mix, three Italian meats, provolone and swiss. This would be great as a part of a larger gumbo dinner spread. Cut it up into mini servings for an appetizer for gumbo.
Are you craving the New Orleans taste of Chargrilled Oysters from Drago’s or Acme Oyster House? This simple chargrilled oysters recipe will satisfy you. Make them on your charcoal or gas grill (even in the oven) with a delicious butter and cheese topping spiked with Cajun spices.
Salads make a good side for gumbo since its a heavy dish, but adding some fried oysters makes it really special! Spicy and crunchy with a taste of the Gulf, New Orleans Fried Oyster Salad is an easy and delightful dish.
These are the best Fried Green Tomatoes, a famous Southern recipe. Dip into a creamy remoulade, buttermilk ranch dressing, or comeback sauce. A perfect appetizer for gumbo!
Eating your leafy greens has never been more delicious–or easy! Bacon adds an extra punch of flavor to the turnip and mustard greens in Easy Braised Southern Greens that is both healthy and comforting!
Gumbo is a labor of love, so make your side dishes easy! This arugula salad is ready in just five minutes! Features a quick homemade dressing with Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and olive oil. A nice light contrast to the rich gumbo.
Louisiana dirty rice is a cajun rice dressing made with pork sausage, ground beef, chicken livers, and the (onion, bell pepper, and celery). It’s a side dish staple in south Louisiana for family gatherings and holidays.
This fresh and crisp salad makes a great side for serving with rich gumbo. Parmesan Brussels sprouts salad with shaved sprouts, fresh parmesan, and a light dressing.
If you’re having a big dinner party and cooking a spread, add this crawfish po’boy to your menu. This Cajun Crawfish Po’ Boy Sandwich combines crawfish tails cooked in a warm garlic butter sauce, served on a toasted baguette with a spicy homemade remoulade sauce.
This Roasted Maple Bourbon Bacon Brussels Sprouts recipe is sweet, savory, smoky, and spicy with thick pieces of bacon! Adding some green veggies to your gumbo dinner is a great idea.
Gumbo is rich so serving it with a salad is perfect. This Simple Italian Salad is loaded with olives, pepperoncini, red onion, and cherry tomatoes and tossed with a zesty Italian dressing.
A fresh house salad recipe made with spring mix, crisp veggies and balsamic dressing. Easy to make and perfect to serve alongside a delicious bowl of gumbo.
This cheesy garlic bread is super delicious and cannot be easier to make. Turn a simple French loaf into the best garlic bread. Great for sopping up the leftover gumbo juice!
A classic Southern Pecan Pie recipe with a rich, decadent filling and lots of sweet, buttery pecans. Pecan pie is a southern classic that goes great with gumbo for the perfect Sunday meal.
his pecan pralines recipe has been beloved for decades. Whole snappy pecans in a candied sugar coating make a classic Southern tradition, native to New Orleans.
I’m the blogger, recipe developer, food photographer, and otherwise food obsessed gal behind Lauren From Scratch. I was born and raised in New Orleans and lived in South Louisiana most of my life. Growing up around Cajun country has instilled a love of food that runs deep in my bones. I am passionate about food and teaching you how to make mouth-watering Louisiana inspired dishes in your own kitchen!