Filé powder — ground dried sassafras leaves, the Louisiana Choctaw thickener for gumbo. Earthy lemony note; added off-heat (it gets stringy if boiled).
Across cuisines
Filé powder is a spice made from dried and ground sassafras leaves, used in Creole and Cajun cuisines. It acts as a thickener and flavor enhancer in dishes like gumbo. Filé powder is typically added at the end of cooking to avoid becoming stringy.
