Are you looking for a delicious Jambalaya recipe that you can make right in your Instant Pot? How about serving your family up some yummy Instant Pot Jambalaya? I’m so excited to introduce you to this delicious and easy to make southern favorite of mine.
If you have been to New Orleans, you may have found that Jambalaya is on just about every restaurant menu. Or if you’re from the south, you probably have had Jambalaya often anyways, but you’ve never quite had it like I’m serving it.
This Instant Pot Jambalaya recipe has no shrimp and uses the freshest ingredients and they all work together to create something magical. Jambalaya has big shoes to fill, so it can’t just taste ordinary, it has got to be extraordinary in every way.
I’m proud to say that this Jambalaya is going to be the best you’ve ever had. I have to say that the rice was spot on with this recipe. It truly helped all the flavors come together.
Of course, this Jambalaya wouldn’t be perfect if it couldn’t be made right in the Instant Pot. We all know how I feel about recipes cooked in the Instant Pot, super easy and worth making, even on a weeknight.
Why Should You Make This Jambalaya Recipe?
There are so many reasons you’ll want to try this jambalaya recipe tonight. Firstly, it’s a quick and easy meal that your whole family will enjoy. If you’ve never tried cooking jambalaya on the stovetop before, the Instant Pot is a great way to try out this dish without worrying about anything becoming overcooked.
You’ll enjoy a taste of New Orleans, and we all know that Louisiana has some of the country’s best food. When you and your family sit down to eat this dish, you’ll feel like you’ve gone on vacation for the night. It’s the perfect comfort food dish to serve everyone throughout the year.
Instant Pot Jambalaya FAQ:
How long does it take to cook jambalaya?
If you have about 20 minutes, that’s all it takes to cook this delicious Healthy Instant Pot Jambalaya!
What is jambalaya?
Jambalaya is a classic New Orleans dish that’s made with rice and meat. It’s influenced by French, Spanish, and African tastes and is a delicious comfort food dish that your whole family will enjoy. It’s said that jambalaya first came about when Spanish settlers were trying to make paella using ingredients found in Louisiana. As you’ll be able to tell from this Jambalaya recipe, it has a variety of Cajun and creole flavors that will delight anyone you serve this dish to.
What is the difference between gumbo and jambalaya?
Even though Jambalaya is similar to Gumbo, Gumbo recipes usually are a thicker stew served over rice, separately. Jambalaya is more of a casserole and made with the rice together. But, no matter how you spin it, they are both flavorful and hearty dishes that originated from New Orleans
How do you make jambalaya from scratch?
It’s so easy! Keep scrolling, and you can see my full recipe on how to make it. You’ll be wishing you’ve done it like this your whole life!
What do you eat jambalaya with?
You can pair Jambalaya with a lot of different things. Some of my favorite sides dishes to go with Jambalaya are mashed potatoes, corn, and even green beans!
What kind of meat do you put in jambalaya?
We kept this recipe simple with sausage, but you can add chicken and sausage such as andouille or smoked sausage. You could also substitute this for chorizo or Polish kielbasa if you don’t have access to this type of sausage. If you love seafood, throw in some precooked shrimp at the end!
What type of rice do you use in this jambalaya recipe?
For our jambalaya recipe today, we’ve used white rice. However, you can also use jasmine rice if you prefer, but you’ll need to add five more minutes to the timer for this type of rice. Brown rice could also be used, but it requires a longer time in the Instant Pot. You’ll need to remove the vegetables and cooked sausages from the inner pot and then set them aside before leaving the brown rice in for a longer time. You’ll then add the sausage back in again to finish off the dish.
What do you eat jambalaya with?
You can pair Jambalaya with a lot of different things. Some of my favorite side dishes to go with Jambalaya are mashed potatoes, corn, and even green beans!
Ingredients for instant pot jambalaya:
- 1 package 14 oz sausage, sliced into 1/2″ slices
- 1 onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3 celery stalks chopped
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 1-1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon creole seasoning
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup white rice uncooked
How To Make this Jambalaya Recipe in the Instant Pot:
- Start by placing sausage, onion, bell pepper, garlic, and celery into an instant pot.
- Press Sautee and sautee the mix until the onions are translucent and peppers and celery are tender, about 5-8 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients to the pot. Mix well.
- Set the instant pot to manual, high pressure for 8 minutes. Seal the pressure release valve.
- When the jambalaya is finished cooking, quickly release the steam. Open the lid and let set for a few minutes before serving.
Instant Pot Jambalaya – A New Orleans Favorite
Ingredients
- 1 package 14 oz sausage, sliced into 1/2" slices
- 1 onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3 celery stalks chopped
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 1-1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon creole seasoning
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup white rice uncooked
Instructions
- Place sausage, onion, bell pepper, garlic and celery into an instant pot.
- Press Sautee and sautee the mix until the onions are translucent and peppers and celery are tender, about 5-8 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients to the pot. Mix well.
- Set the instant pot to manual, high pressure for 8 minutes. Seal the pressure release valve.
- When the jambalaya is finished cooking, quickly release the steam.
- Open the lid and let set for a few minutes before serving.
Video
Top Tips for Our Jambalaya Recipe
- You can adjust the spiciness of the dish by adding more or less chili powder to suit your tastes. Consider adding a little, to begin with, and then taste test it before adding more if needed.
- If you are feeding a larger crowd, simply double up the recipe but keep the cooking time the same.
- For anyone that doesn’t have an Instant Pot yet, you can make this jambalaya recipe on your stovetop with one pan. The cooking time may depend on the type of rice you are using in the recipes.
- If you don’t like the meat that’s added to this recipe, you can customize it with any protein of your choice. This could also include vegan or vegetarian sausages or protein sources.
- Chicken sausage is a great option instead of regular sausages if you are looking to enjoy a slightly lighter meal.
- If you decide to add any salt to the dish, always go easy. The seasonings you add can often be quite salty, so you won’t want to overdo it.
- For the perfect finishing touch, garnish your jambalaya with fresh parsley on top before serving.
What other easy recipes can you make in the Instant Pot?
There are SO many recipes you can make with the Instant Pot! I have a whole library full of recipes on my site, that you absolutely must check out. Some of my favorites include Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings and Instant Pot Beef Brisket.
David B says
I would bump up the rice by at least 1/3rd of a cup. I liked the flavor of this recipe but it was more like soup than what is shown in the picture.
crystal says
you think just adding 1 cup broth would make it not soupy?
Donna says
Made this tonight, followed the recipe almost exactly (added 1 tsp more creole seasoning, only change). Turned out well, rice was cooked, no problem with too much liquid, good consistency. My husband & I both enjoyed, will make again.
Alan says
I made this for my family tonight and it was a huge hit. I didn’t change a thing. After following the instructions and letting it sit for a few minutes, it looked exactly like what you see in the picture. This is actually my second time making this recipe and it will definitely not be the last!
Winona Rogers says
Thank you, Alan, for stopping by and sharing this! It is certainly a family favorite of ours too.
Donna B. says
I added cubed chicken and a dash of cayenne, we like it spicy. I also added 1/4 cup more chicken broth to accommodate adding the chicken. Upon letting it set for a few minutes after cooking, it was just a tab bit wetter than I would have like, but it was absolutely delicious! ?
Note: Next time, I’ll add the recommended amount of liquid. ?
Stacy Lawson says
I would love to add shrimp to this. How would the cook time change? I know that shrimp don’t take long at all in the Instant Pot.
Mark Luhring says
Great recipe. Mine was pretty spicy. Used Zatarains Creole seasoning, but didn’t have any chili powder, so I used ground red pepper. It was excellent. Thanks for the recipe. Will try with chicken and shrimp next time.
Winona Rogers says
Awesome, Mark! So glad you liked it.
Matti says
Just made this jambalaya tonight and it was a hit with my family!! I adjusted the spice for my daughter, but would LOVE to have it spicier!! It turned out perfect for me…..not at all too liquidy for me!! I did cook some shrimp with the onion, celery and bell pepper then removed them and added them back when it was finished!! Soooo yummy! Thank you for sharing this great recipe!
Winona Rogers says
Hi Matti! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing how you and your family loved this recipe. This makes me very happy. I love a little more spice in my Jambalaya too. This recipe is so easy and versatile, you can add just about anything to it!
Susan says
This is so good, folks. Made ours a little spicy. Will be making often!
Emilie says
Probably should just use a cup of chicken broth, came out a little soupy 🙁