Healthy Jambalaya Recipe (2024)

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4.86 from 7 votes

by Chef Nichole

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Published: June 8, 2018 Last Updated: February 23, 2021

A vegan take on the traditional spicy southern soul food.

Healthy Jambalaya Recipe (2)

My best friend is in New Orleans this week, and I am having major envy. Not only could I use the warmth, but I’m also missing the culture and energy of the city. To help assuage my jealousy, I’ve channeled it into this week’s dinners. On the menu tonight? Vegan jambalaya.

This zesty creole soul food is a Louisiana-staple as rich in culture and tradition as it is in spice and flavor. Fortunately, “traditional” doesn’t mean there’s only one way to do this dish. Quite the opposite, actually. There are as many ways to prepare this meal as there are people who want to try their hand at it. It’s an easy recipe to throw together with whatever you have in your pantry, and this vegan version is one of the healthiest (and tastiest) around.

Louisiana Classic

Healthy Jambalaya Recipe (3)

Like gumbo, jambalaya is a classic southern dish that reflects the rich blend of cultures, especially Spanish and French influences, that have shaped Louisiana’s past and present.

Filling, but easy to prepare, jambalaya is a simple dish and a go-to for busy weeknights.

Because it’s the kind of meal that is often thrown together with leftovers and kitchen pantry staples, there are tons of variations on classic jambalaya.

However, there are a few staple ingredients present in just about every recipe, including this vegan jambalaya. Celery, onion, and bell pepper, the “holy trinity” of cajun and creole cooking, are a must. Rice is also a pretty much invariable staple of this dish.

Traditionally, jambalaya features some kind of meat, often sausage. Since this is a vegan recipe, we’ve nixed the meat. But don’t worry, this recipe bursts with plenty of other filling ingredients and flavors, no meat necessary.

Tradition Meets Plant-Based

Healthy Jambalaya Recipe (4)

With the exception of the meat, we’ve more or less stuck to a traditional jambalaya recipe. This healthy vegan recipe features the must-have holy trinity veggies, along with tomatoes and just about every spice in your pantry. From oregano and thyme, to paprika and cayenne, this zesty dish bursts with flavor. And if you like living on the spicy side, feel free to toss in a jalapeño pepper. We know some like it hot.

This jambalaya recipe also features three different kinds of beans to keep this meatless dish filling and protein-packed.

If you’re craving a little southern soul food, definitely give this simple vegan recipe a try. Filling, flavorful, and super healthy, this easy meal is a perfect midweek pick me up.

4.86 from 7 votes

Healthy Jambalaya Recipe

This classic Southern dish has gone Vegan, with nutrient-rich ingredients that taste phenomenal.

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Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Yield 10 people

Serving Size 1 cup

Course Dinner

Cuisine American, Southern

Author Chef Nichole

Healthy Jambalaya Recipe (5)

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 1/2 cup celery chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 jalapeno pepper small, minced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper chopped
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 30 ounces diced tomatoes cans, no sugar added
  • 3 cups vegetable broth low-sodium
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 cups brown rice cooked
  • 15 ounces butter beans can, drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounces kidney beans can, drained and rinsed
  • 15 ounces black beans can, drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup cilantro fresh, chopped
  • 1/4 cup parsley fresh, chopped

Instructions

  • In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil on medium heat. Once hot, add the onion, celery, garlic, jalapeno, green, and red pepper. Cook until the onions and peppers are soft, stirring often, about 6 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring often.

  • Pour in the diced tomato and vegetable broth. Add the oregano, basil, thyme, paprika, chili powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Stir in the rice and all the beans. Simmer for another 5 minutes.

  • Stir in the cilantro and parsley, serve hot!

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 540mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 5g |

SmartPoints (Freestyle): 3

Keywords dairy-free, Gluten-Free, Plant-Based, Vegan, Vegetarian

Have you made this recipe?
Tag @skinnyms on Instagram or hashtag it #skinnyms

More Vegan Recipes:

Baked Tofu Chunks with Cajun Spice Dry Rub

Can’t get enough of that spicy cajun flavor? This delicious baked tofu recipe is another meatless dish that bursts with traditional zesty cajun spices. Perfect on salads or wrapped in tortillas for a spicy, meatless taco recipe, swap in these baked tofu chunks anywhere you’d use meat.

Vegan Fusion Lunch Burritos

This fusion lunch burritos recipe will change the way you look at lunch! A serving of three of these will satisfy your stomach and leave you feeling good about having a super deliciously healthy meal.

Make your weekly meal planning easy. Follow us on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for new healthy recipes every day!

Healthy Jambalaya Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is jambalaya good for you? ›

It's loaded with protein, veggies and complex carbs for a balanced dinner. This recipe makes a lot so you can enjoy leftovers for lunch throughout the week. It's gluten free and dairy free! This healthy jambalaya is infused with bold Cajun flavor with minimal effort.

How many calories are in a jambalaya? ›

Jambalaya With Meat And Rice, Chicken And Sausage Jambalaya (1 cup) contains 22.7g total carbs, 21.4g net carbs, 21.2g fat, 26.1g protein, and 393 calories.

What is the holy trinity of jambalaya? ›

The "holy trinity" in Cajun cuisine and Louisiana Creole cuisine is the base for several dishes in the regional cuisines of Louisiana and consists of onions, bell peppers and celery. The preparation of Cajun/Creole dishes such as crawfish étouffée, gumbo, and jambalaya all start from this base.

Can diabetics eat jambalaya? ›

Let's take a look at the Jambalaya. For example, we've got fish, sausage, shrimp, and veggies, with rice as the main carbohydrate. The good news? The veggies are negligible in terms of their impact on blood sugar levels, and the veggies won't contribute any carbs to speak of.

What is the difference between Creole and dirty jambalaya? ›

One of the primary differences in Cajun jambalaya as opposed to the Creole variant is the absence of tomatoes. Instead, it relies on a dark roux (which is a cooked mixture of flour and fat) to achieve a deep, smoky flavor. Country meats like andouille sausage, tasso ham, or game meats take center stage.

What are the two types of jambalaya? ›

Jambalaya is a true Louisiana staple and perfect for the week of Mardis Gras! A hearty blend of rice, meats, vegetables, and lots of seasoning, jambalaya is a cold-weather comfort food that is sure to please everyone. There are two types of jambalaya: Cajun and Creole.

What rice is best for jambalaya? ›

One of the biggest complaints when making jambalaya is that the rice ends up mushy. And there's two main culprits of this – choosing the wrong type of rice and over-stirring. For this recipe, you want long-grain white rice, like basmati or jasmine. Don't use short-grain rice.

What is the difference between gumbo and jambalaya? ›

Gumbo is really a soup or stew that's often served over a little rice, while jambalaya is made with the rice cooked into the dish, making the grain an integral part of it. In gumbo, there should be more liquid than rice, while jambalaya should not be liquid-y or mushy.

What is the holy ghost? ›

In Judaism, the Holy Spirit, otherwise known as the Holy Ghost, is the divine force, quality and influence of God over the universe or his creatures. In Nicene Christianity, the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. In Islam, the Holy Spirit acts as an agent of divine action or communication.

Should Jambalaya have tomatoes? ›

Two main categories of jambalaya exist: Creole (or red) jambalaya, which is associated with the city of New Orleans and contains tomato, and Cajun (or brown) jambalaya, which contains no tomato and is more common in other parts of Louisiana. The recipe I'm focusing on here is the former, with tomato.

Which tortilla is best for diabetics? ›

People with diabetes can safely enjoy carbohydrate foods, with some modifications to portions and timing. What is important for diabetes management is to choose a tortilla that's a good source of fiber. This includes classic corn tortillas and whole wheat tortillas.

Is buffalo sauce OK for diabetics? ›

Buffalo sauce typically contains minimal carbohydrates, but if you're dealing with something sweet like a barbecue sauce, you'll need to factor in those carbs. In this particular case, if you're only focusing on the wings, you're probably in the clear.

Is gumbo or jambalaya healthy? ›

Real gumbo can be high in fat because the roux is made with equal parts fat and flour as well as sausage, which can also be high in fat. Jambalaya can be healthier than gumbo, especially if it's seafood and chicken or you use a lower-fat smoked sausage in the recipe.

Is jambalaya a comfort food? ›

Jambalaya is a comforting and filling rice dish that originates from the French quarter of New Orleans. Each region has slightly different variations that include a vast range of meats and seafood prepared with rice, vegetables and spices in the same pot.

Is jambalaya high in cholesterol? ›

Jambalaya with meat and rice contains 5.4 g of saturated fat and 142 mg of cholesterol per serving. 244 g of Jambalaya with meat and rice contains 19.52 mcg vitamin A, 15.6 mg vitamin C, 0.49 mcg vitamin D as well as 2.73 mg of iron, 58.56 mg of calcium, 588 mg of potassium.

Is jambalaya an African American food? ›

The History of Jambalaya

Jambalaya has influences of Spanish, French, African, Native American and Caribbean cooking styles and produce. Perhaps the most obvious of these is Spanish, due to the dish's similarity to paella, which was brought to New Orleans by foreign explorers.

References

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