In a rustic bowl, a colorful mix of sauteed bell peppers, pureed tomatoes, okra, and mixed beans lightly coated in a slightly reddish-brown sauce speckled with herbs. It's topped with fresh green parsley and a sprinkle of white sesame seeds. A side of crusty sourdough bread completes the scene.

Vegan Cajun Gumbo With a Twist

Name: Vegan Cajun Gumbo With a Twist
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: bell peppers, 1 cup diced; tomatoes, 2 cups pureed; okra, 1 cup sliced; mixed beans, 1 cup soaked overnight; onion, 1 diced; garlic, 4 cloves minced; jalapeno, 1 deseeded and finely chopped; cajun spice mix, 1 tablespoon none; vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons none; salt, to taste none; Fresh parsley, for garnish none; sesame seeds, for garnish none

Category Main Course

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 60 minutes

Style Cajun

Technique Sautéing

Diet Friendly Vegan

Daily Recipe: December 05, 2025

Introduce some surprise into your seasonal food repertoire with our Cajun-inspired vegan gumbo! It's a hearty stew that's jazzed up with bell peppers, tomatoes, okra and beans. Beyond providing warmth, it contains a unique blend of Cajun herbs and spices that'd impress even the most refined foodie.

Ingredients (for 4)

Bell peppers - 1 cup - diced
Tomatoes - 2 cups - pureed
Okra - 1 cup - sliced
Mixed beans - 1 cup - soaked overnight
Onion - 1 - diced
Garlic - 4 cloves - minced
Jalapeno - 1 - deseeded and finely chopped
Cajun spice mix - 1 tablespoon - none
Vegetable oil - 2 tablespoons - none
Salt - to taste - none
Fresh parsley - for garnish - none
Sesame seeds - for garnish - none

Preparation

Step 1 - 🌰🌶️🍳

Sauté the diced onion, minced garlic, and finely chopped jalapeno in vegetable oil until the onions are translucent.
Step 2 - 🫑🥘🔥

Add diced bell peppers to the sautéed vegatables, continue to sauté until they're slightly softened.
Step 3 - 🌶️🥄⏲️

Combine the vegetables with the cajun spice, stir for a minute to evenly distribute the spice.
Step 4 - 🍅🥬🥣

Introduce the tomato puree, sliced okra, and soaked beans to the spice and veggie mix.
Step 5 - 💦🍲

Pour water into the pot until it just covers the veggies and beans.
Step 6 - 🔥🕐

Lower the heat and let the mix simmer for approximately one hour, or until the beans are tender.
Step 7 - 🧂👅

Sprinkle salt to taste.
Step 8 - 🥣🌱🍽️

Serve the dish in bowls, garnished with fresh parsley and a sprinkling of sesame seeds.

Additional

This recipe is packed full of plant-based protein and fiber from the beans. For variations, feel free to add vegan sausage or tofu, or play with the veggies according to what's in season. Kids can help by washing the veggies or stirring the pot under supervision!