Description
This hearty Red Bean Jambalaya recipe combines smoky sausage, vibrant vegetables, and tender red beans simmered with Cajun spices and rice to create a flavorful one-pot meal perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 oz. smoked sausage, cubed
Vegetables
- 2 celery stalks, medium-diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup green onion, sliced
Spices & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Liquids
- 1 quart chicken broth
- 1 bottle hot sauce (Crystal preferred)
Other
- 2 (15 oz) cans red beans, drained
- 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups white rice
Instructions
- Brown Sausage: In a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, add olive oil and cubed smoked sausage. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is deeply caramelized and browned to develop flavor.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the diced celery, green bell pepper, yellow onion, and minced garlic to the pot with the sausage. Cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables become tender and fragrant.
- Simmer Ingredients: Stir in the drained red beans, crushed tomatoes, white rice, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper to taste, cover the pot, and cook for 13-15 minutes until the rice is tender and the flavors meld together.
- Rest: Remove the pot from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the rice to fully absorb the liquid and flavors to settle.
- Serve: Fluff the jambalaya gently with a fork. Garnish with sliced green onions and add hot sauce to taste. Serve the dish hot and enjoy the comforting flavors of this classic Cajun meal.
Notes
- You can substitute smoked sausage with Andouille sausage for a more traditional jambalaya flavor.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce to your spice preference.
- For a vegetarian option, omit the sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely.
- If you prefer, use brown rice but increase the simmering time accordingly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering and Sautéing
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
