What Is File' powder and How Can I Use It?

File' powder is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store it, what to substitute, and 16 recipes to get you started.

Recipes using file' powder

There are 16 recipes that contain this ingredient.

File' Gumbo Lafayette

Cajun file gumbo with canned salmon, okra, and the holy trinity simmered down and finished with file powder. A Lafayette-style one-pot supper served over hot rice.

Louisiana Chicken Gumbo

Louisiana chicken gumbo with ham, okra, fresh oysters, and file powder, slow-simmered for two hours and served over rice. An authentic Cajun one-pot meal.

Cowboy Gumbo

Seafood gumbo built on a butter-flour roux with shrimp, okra, tomatoes, chili powder, and Worcestershire, served over rice with filé powder. Where Louisiana bayou meets Texas ranch country.

Gumbo Des Herbes

Gumbo des herbes is a traditional Cajun green gumbo with seven greens, brisket, smoked ham, chaurice sausage, and file powder. A hearty Louisiana Lenten stew served over rice.

Artis' Chicken Gumbo

Louisiana chicken gumbo with stewing hen, andouille sausage, oysters, and file powder built in a cast iron pot. Browned-hen fond, holy trinity, and oyster liquor give this gumbo serious depth.

Gumbo File'

Cajun seafood gumbo with shrimp, lump crab, ham, and okra built on a dark cocoa-colored roux. Finished with file powder for authentic Louisiana flavor and body.

Red Beans & Rice(Chef Du Jour)

Louisiana red beans and rice with kidney beans, andouille sausage, tasso ham, and pickled pork, thickened with file powder. A chef-level Creole classic with layered smoke and spice.

File Gumbo

Cajun file gumbo built on homemade chicken stock with a dark butter roux, andouille sausage, and the holy trinity. Thickened with file powder and served over rice.

Gumbo - Cajun Style

Spice up your gumbo with this simple recipe that calls for tuna fish, shrimp and steamed rice.

Creole Gumbo

Creole gumbo loaded with shrimp, crab, oysters, chicken wings, veal, ham bone, and okra, thickened with file powder. A true New Orleans-style gumbo served over rice.

Cajun Oyster Pie

A creamy Cajun oyster pie with shucked oysters in a buttery béchamel sauce seasoned with filé powder, hot sauce, and pimientos, baked under a golden pie crust. Old-school Louisiana comfort food.

Chili Cumin Andouille Sausage

A generous hit of paprika with a hint of cumin and chili powder in this rendition of a homemade Andouille sausage recipe.

Chicken & Andouille Gumbo

This hearty Cajun chicken and andouille gumbo starts with a deep chestnut roux, the holy trinity, and smoky sausage simmered into a rich, soul-warming bowl. Serve over rice with a splash of sherry.

Gumbo Z'Herbes (Green Gumbo)

Gumbo z'herbes, the New Orleans green gumbo: spinach, mustard, turnip, and collard greens simmered with smoked pork, ham, and oysters, spiced Creole-style and served over rice with file powder.

BEEF SEASONING MIX

A Cajun-style homemade beef seasoning blend with paprika, garlic powder, file powder, and bay leaf. Mix it once, jar it up, and season steaks, roasts, and stews all month long.

Chicken Seasoning Mix

Homemade Cajun chicken seasoning with three kinds of pepper, garlic, onion, filé powder, and ground bay leaves. Mix it up in 5 minutes and keep it in the pantry.

All 16 recipes