filé powder is used in louisiana creole cuisine in the making of some types of gumbo, a thick creole soup or stew often served over rice. several different varieties exist. in new orleans, what is known as creole gumbo generally varies from house to house though still retaining its native american origins. the creoles of cane river make a gumbo focused much more on filé. filé can provide thickening when okra is not in season, in types of gumbo that use okra or a roux as a thickener for gumbo instead of filé. sprinkled sparingly over gumbo as a seasoning and a thickening agent, filé powder adds a distinctive, earthy flavor and texture.