I’m a big fan of Cajun style food, I regularly make New Orleans BBQ shrimp and gumbo for my family. This jambalaya recipe has become a new favorite in my house, it’s loaded with meat, seafood and veggies and has tons of flavor.
When I see jambalaya on a restaurant menu, I always have to order it. That combination of meat, seafood and tender rice just can’t be beat! I’ve created an easy version of jambalaya that can be made at home, yet tastes as good (or better) than the restaurant version.
What is jambalaya?
Jambalaya is a dish that is served primarily in Lousiana and has Spanish, African and French influences. Jambalaya is a one pot dish with meat and/or seafood that is simmered with vegetables and rice. This dish typically contains sausage, along with other proteins which may vary from chicken to pork to shellfish.
How do you make jambalaya?
The first step is to brown your vegetables and meat. The veggies and meat go into a large pot along with uncooked rice, tomatoes and seasoning. Everything simmers together until the rice is tender, then shrimp and okra are stirred in during the last few minutes of the cooking time.
Tips for Jambalaya
You can use any type of bell pepper that you like in this dish – I use a combination of red, green and yellow peppers because I like the color contrast, but it’s fine to just use one color. Like your jambalaya on the spicy side? Add a seeded minced jalapeno into the mix when you’re cooking your vegetables. I use larger shrimp for my jambalaya, typically 16-20 count size. This dish calls for andouille sausage, which is a slightly spicy smoked sausage that can be found with the other pre-cooked sausages at most grocery stores. Make sure you use a large pot for this dish, either a deep soup pot or a large 12 inch deep skillet to contain all of the ingredients. You can either remove the tails from the shrimp, or keep them on for a fancier presentation. It’s totally up to you! I typically use frozen sliced okra because my store doesn’t always carry fresh okra. If you can find fresh okra, feel free to use it, but I think frozen okra works just as well.
What is the difference between gumbo and jambalaya?
Jambalaya is a rice based dish, whereas gumbo is more of a thick stew. Gumbo is often served with rice, but the rice is not simmered in the soup. Both gumbo and jambalya often contain a mixture of proteins such as chicken, sausage and seafood.
Once you try this jambalaya, you’ll find yourself making it on a regular basis. This meal is slightly spicy, about a medium on the heat scale. If you’re feeding children, you may want to use a mild smoked sausage such as kielbasa, and use a little less Cajun seasoning to tone things down a bit.
Whether you’re looking for a hearty meal on a weeknight, or celebrating Mardi Gras with friends, this jambalaya is sure to please!
More one pot meals
Arroz con Pollo Chicken and Rice Casserole Salsa Chicken Greek Meatballs with Rice Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Jambalaya Video
