How does Cajun gumbo usually differ from Creole gumbo?

It usually has no tomatoes and a darker roux

What is gumbo z'herbes?

A greens-based gumbo traditional for Lent

Gumbo Quiz: Roux, Okra and Louisiana Variations

A dark roux, the holy trinity of vegetables and a pot of rice make Louisiana's signature stew, and this gumbo quiz explains its many versions. Play an interactive set of 10 questions on roux, onion, celery and bell pepper, okra, file powder, Creole and Cajun styles, chicken and andouille, seafood gumbo, gumbo z'herbes, Leah Chase and the official state cuisine.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

State
Which state is gumbo most associated with?
Roux
What is a roux?
Trinity
What is the holy trinity in Louisiana cooking?
Okra
Where does the word gumbo likely come from?
File
What is file powder made from?
Cajun
How does Cajun gumbo usually differ from Creole gumbo?
Meat
Which sausage is common in chicken gumbo?
Rice
How is gumbo usually served?
Greens
What is gumbo z'herbes?
Chef
Which New Orleans chef was famous for gumbo z'herbes on Holy Thursday?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which state is gumbo most associated with?
Answer: Louisiana
It became the official state cuisine in 2004.
Q2: What is a roux?
Answer: Flour cooked in fat
It thickens and flavors gumbo.
Q3: What is the holy trinity in Louisiana cooking?
Answer: Onion, celery and bell pepper
It is the flavor base.
Q4: Where does the word gumbo likely come from?
Answer: A West African word for okra
Okra thickens the stew.
Q5: What is file powder made from?
Answer: Ground sassafras leaves
Native Americans used it.
Q6: How does Cajun gumbo usually differ from Creole gumbo?
Answer: It usually has no tomatoes and a darker roux
Creole versions often include tomatoes.
Q7: Which sausage is common in chicken gumbo?
Answer: Andouille
It is smoked and spicy.
Q8: How is gumbo usually served?
Answer: Over rice
Some add potato salad.
Q9: What is gumbo z'herbes?
Answer: A greens-based gumbo traditional for Lent
Several kinds of greens are used.
Q10: Which New Orleans chef was famous for gumbo z'herbes on Holy Thursday?
Answer: Leah Chase
She ran Dooky Chase's.

Gumbo Quiz – Roux, Okra and Louisiana Variations

Gumbo is a stew that became Louisiana's official state cuisine in 2004. It usually starts with a roux, flour cooked in fat, and the holy trinity of onion, celery and bell pepper, and it is served over rice.

Its name likely comes from a West African word for okra, which thickens many versions. File powder, made from ground sassafras leaves and used by Native Americans, is another thickener. Cajun gumbo often uses a dark roux, chicken and andouille without tomatoes, while Creole gumbo may include tomatoes and seafood.

Gumbo z'herbes is a greens-based version traditional during Lent, famously served by chef Leah Chase at Dooky Chase's in New Orleans on Holy Thursday.

What This Quiz Teaches

Food lovers will enjoy these questions.

What gumbo is
Which ingredients define it
How styles differ
Where its name comes from
Which traditions surround it

Did You Know?

Dark roux can take nearly an hour of stirring.
File is usually added at the end or at the table.
Seafood gumbo often includes shrimp and crab.
Gumbo reflects African, French, Spanish and Native influences.
Families guard their own recipes.