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Below are links to 56 side dishes for your Jambalaya dinner. We've released this list as a companion to Dutch Oven Jambalaya from Paul Prudhomme, which was shared by John and Rebekah Leekly in The Storied Recipe Episode 41: Time in the Kitchen: What We Will Remember Always .
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Jambalaya is a hearty dish with rich flavors that originates from southern Louisiana and reflects the unique and diverse culinary history housed there. This robust one-pot rice dish typically combines chicken, pork (often andouille sausage), seafood, and a variety of vegetables, all seasoned with a blend of spices that draw inspiration from either Cajun or Creole culinary styles (see the Q&A at the bottom for more on this).
Its roots are a combination of French, Spanish, African, and Native American cultures, however, pinning down the exact origin is quite elusive. One theory speculates that when the Spanish controlled New Orleans in the 18th century, settlers tried to make paella but didn't have some of the key ingredients, so instead they used local ingredients to create something similar. Another is that Jambalaya is a spin-off of Jolloff Rice, a popular West African one-pot rice and tomato dish. Regardless of its precise origins, this beloved dish is perfect for Mardi Gras celebrations, a dinner party, or simply because you can't get enough of it.
How to use this list:
- Jambalaya is a southern Louisiana dish therefore I have tried to include mostly New Orleans-style recipes, however, some recipes are Southern recipes that aren't necessarily specific to that region.
- Lots of Q&A below!
- Would love to hear if this helped you or if you have any suggestions! Always learning over here at The Storied Recipe!
- So you know where I'm headed as I start listing recipes, the set of categories includes Appetizers, Breads, Beans, Veggies, Southern Salads, Carbs and Starches, Seafood and Meats, Desserts, and Drinks.
Appetizers
These appetizers, including the classic Southern side dish, deviled eggs, are just a few options you might offer at a gathering. Elevate them with a garnish of green onions or fresh dill, adding both flavor and visual appeal to your spread.
Fried Plantain Cups (Plus Lots of Fun and Easy Filling Ideas!)
Cooks in 70 minutesThese fun fried plantain cups can be filled with lots of easy, delicious fillings including Pikliz (recipe included)! Perfect for a Caribbean party!
Deviled Eggs
Cooks in 25 minutesThis ClassicDeviled Eggs recipe is always a winner, made with simple ingredients including pickle relish, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper.
Breads
Pairing breads like cornbread, Italian bread, and hush puppies with Jambalaya serves as the perfect addition to this rich and hearty dish. Baking a batch of cornbread in a cast iron skillet, for instance, not only enhances its flavor but also pays homage to traditional Southern cooking techniques, complementing the Jambalaya's robust taste profile beautifully.
Easy Homemade French Bread
Cooks in 220 minutesSouthern Cornbread
Cooks in 25 minutesMade with cornmeal and buttermilk, this Classic Southern Cornbread Recipe brings out the naturally sweet flavor of corn without adding sugar. Cooked in a cast iron skillet with bacon drippings it will please even the toughest critics.
Southern Hush Puppies Recipe
Cooks in 15 minutesHush puppies are the perfect addition to a classic fish fry! Crispy fried dough balls that go perfectly with a sweet or savory dip and some fried fish.
Homemade Cheddar Biscuits
Cooks in 40 minutesThese deliciously simple homemade cheddar biscuits easily rival Red Lobster's cheddar bay biscuits. Baked in only about 20 minutes, they're a must-try for brunch or dinnertime.
The Best Yeast Rolls
Cooks in 35 minutesThese Yeast Rolls are so pillowy soft with just the right amount of sweetness.
How to Make Savory Crepes at Home
Cooks in 25 minutesSavory crepes are delicate, versatile, and delicious! This easy crepe recipe requires no special equipment so you can get creative and enjoy crepes anytime.
Ham and Cheese Biscuits
Cooks in 38 minutesMini Bread Rolls (With Yeast and Potatoes)
Cooks in 190 minutesSoft mini bread rolls are enriched with potatoes for a hearty flavor, creamy texture, and subtle sweetness. The most adorable mini dinner rolls!!
Beans
This category showcases different ways to cook beans to create delicious sides to enhance your main course. White beans and ham, a traditional Southern dish, presents a perfect pairing with Jambalaya and enriches the meal's flavor profile.
White Beans and Ham
Cooks in 315 minutesWhite Beans flavored with Smoked Ham and the Cajun Trinity slowly simmered and served over white rice. One taste and you'll understand why this is a South Louisiana staple.
Best Ever Beans and Sausage
Cooks in 1 hour 35 minutesWhen my wife asks what she should make for a gathering, she's always told to bring this—and a couple of copies of the recipe! — Robert Saulnier, Clarksburg, Massachusetts
Savory Southern Black Eyed Peas
TRIED & TRUE* SOUTHERN BLACK-EYED PEAS! SIMMERED IN CHICKEN BROTH AND SPICES, LOADED WITH SMOKED BACON, ONIONS,ANDGARLIC! EASY RECIPE THATS FULL OF FLAVOR!
Southern Butter Beans with Bacon
Cooks in 65 minutesRed Beans and Rice Recipe
Cooks in 140 minutesRed Beans and Rice Recipe is the ultimate Cajun favorite, and it's done right!Red kidney beans with a hint of spice and meaty goodness served over white rice for the perfect Southern Creole recipe.
Vegetables
Serving vegetables as a side dish to Jambalaya is a great idea for creating a well-rounded, complete meal that complements its hearty flavors. Corn maque choux, pronounced "mahk shoo" or "mock-shoe", is a Native American dish and was adapted by Louisianna setters, and features basic ingredients such as sweet corn, red and green bell peppers, onion, and heavy cream, which blends their flavors for a delightful and colorful side dish.
Maque Choux Recipe
Cooks in 30 minutesMaque Choux is a classic Cajun recipe of corn and peppers sauted in bacon grease until softened and spiced with a blend of Cajun seasonings. Its an outstanding Southern side dish.
Southern Collard Greens
Cooks in 120 minutesHow to make the best Southern Collard Greens! Full of flavorful ingredients and easy to make
Coconut Milk Boiled Corn on the Cob Recipe with Spicy Butter
Delicious, authentic Jamaican boiled corn on the cob recipe featuring coconut milk, fresh herbs, and a spicy butter.
Crispy Fried Okra
Cooks in 25 minutesThis Classic Southern Fried Okra Recipe features fresh okra breaded in a cornmeal and breadcrumb mixture (the secret to extra crispy fried okra!)
Smothered Green Beans with Potatoes-Cajun Style
Cooks in 110 minutesGreen Beans smothered slowly with bacon and onions, ham and South Louisiana seasonings. Amazing depth of South Louisiana flavor.
Fried Zucchini Chips
Cooks in 20 minutesFried Zucchini Chips are coated in Panko crumbs and Parmesan cheese and fry up super crispy. Dip them in Ranch dressing for a delicious summer appetizer.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Cooks in 125 minutesStuffed bell peppers-the ultimate comfort food! Every cuisine has a version of stuffed peppers, this recipe uses beef. pork and veal with a Creole and Cajun flair. A staple in South Louisana cooking, these Stuffed Bell Peppers make a great main dish or a fabulous side dish!
Best Fried Green Tomatoes (Perfect Every Time)
Cooks in 37 minutesSimply the best fried green tomatoes recipe, perfect-every-time! No messy, drippy batter needed, making it easy to make them air fryer "fried", too! You'll get crispy, crunchy cornmeal coating on the outside, tangy, tender-but-not-mushy on the inside!
The Best Brussels Sprouts of Your Life
Cooks in 25 minutesJazz up your Brussels Sprouts with a kick of garlic and freshly grated cheese - making this simple side dish one that the whole family will love!
Salads
Enhance your meal with a fresh green salad, such as the Kilt Lettuce Appalachian Salad recommended by my podcast guest Lauren, or opt for a Southern-style cucumber salad that highlights sweet tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers, all brought together with a tangy dressing.
Kilt Lettuce
Cooks in 40 minutesFresh varieties of lettuce are topped with a delicious dressing of bacon fat and vinegar - watch out for the popping when the grease "kills" the lettuce!
Classic Creole Tomato Salad
Cooks in 5 minutesThe perfect salad for when creole tomatoes are in season! Paired with a simple dressing the sweet ripe, juicy flavors of the tomatoes will shine through!
Creole Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Feta Dressing
Tomatoes are always in season somewhere, but when rich, juicy Creole tomatoes are falling off the vine in Louisiana, salads really get an upgrade. This simple salad takes just a few minutes to prepare and makes a delicious, cooling side dish to accompany hot, spicy barbecue and grilled foods.
Louisiana Creole Coleslaw
Cooks in 10 minutesFilled with Louisiana spices, this creole coleslaw adds the perfect crunch to your pulled pork recipes or served on the side.
Cajun Potato Salad
Cooks in 30 minutesA creamy, crunchy, tangy potato salad with a kick of Cajun spice!
Louisiana Sunburst Salad
Cooks in 30 minutesThis is a recipe for Louisiana Sunburst Salad. A beautiful salad made famous by the Palace Cafe in New Orleans. There's a lot of special flavors in this salad, but the port poached cranberries are a stand out.
Carbs
I've selected a few side dishes that are sure to be crowd-pleasers, all while staying true to their Southern roots.
Creamy Southern Stone-Ground Grits
Cooks in 30 minutesSOUTHERN STONE-GROUND GRITS MADE THE OLD-FASHIONED. CREAMY, BUTTER GRITS SEASONED WITH SALT AND PEPPER.
Southern Scalloped Potatoes
Cooks in 75 minutesSouthern scalloped potatoes full of fresh grates cheeses and savory spices!
The Best Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes
Cooks in 70 minutesThese Easy Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes are covered in a sugar buttery mixture and baked until tender. Its the perfect side dish for any table.
Seafood and Meats
Here is a selection of seafood and meat side dishes inspired by the distinctive culinary style of New Orleans, offering a great way to create something new and delicious.
Grilled Oysters with White Wine Butter Sauce
Cooks in 23 minutesHow to grill oysters in the half shell with a herb wine butter sauce.
Louisiana Crawfish Pie
Cooks in 2 hours 15 minutesA classic New Orleans dinner pie made with crawfish tails and spice.
New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
Cooks in 17 minutesBBQ Shrimp is a classic New Orleans recipe where shrimp is sauted in a savory sauce made from butter, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Creole seasoning, black pepper, & lemon juice. You don't need a grill, but you'll want some crunchy French bread.
New Orleans Fried Catfish Recipe
Cooks in 30 minutesThis Louisiana-style fried catfish recipe yields a flaky on the inside fish lightly coated with a golden, seasoned crispy layer. It's one of the best pieces of fish you'll ever taste.
Crawfish Etouffee
Cooks in 95 minutesCrawfish Etouffee is a classic Louisiana dish full of robust flavor. This dish is famous for its Cajun influence and surprisingly easy and quick to make.
Cajun Fried Chicken
Cooks in 100 minutesYou haven't had crispy fried chicken like this before! It's marinated in seasoned buttermilk, then coated with a cajun seasoned flour, and fried until it's crispy perfection.
Crawfish Pistolettes
Cooks in 65 minutesCajun cheesy crawfish stuffed pistolettes, filled with sausage and seasoning to bring it up a notch or two. One will never be enough.
Desserts
Below are two different types of beignet recipes. The first is a copycat of the New Orleans-style beignet, made from yeasted dough, whereas the French beignet recipe from my podcast guest is made without yeast and is lighter and airier than the New Orleans version.
Cafe Du Monde Beignets Recipe
Experience a taste of New Orleans with our Cafe du Monde beignets recipe! They are pillowy soft, deep fried, and perfectly sweet, just like at the iconic cafe. Serve them alongside a cup of coffee or milk for a kid-friendly pairing.
Easy Beignet Recipe NO YEAST from French Countryside
Cooks in 135 minutesHow to make beignets without yeast, from an authentic French Russeroles Bugnes recipe. When this beignet dough hits the hot oil, it massively expands, resulting in light, crispy, and beautifully golden pastries.
Bananas Foster
Cooks in 20 minutesIn this Bananas Foster recipe, sliced bananas are coated in a cinnamon caramel, then flambeed in rum and banana liqueur.
Vegan Southern Bourbon Pecan Pie
Cooks in 75 minutesPecan pie needs no introduction--It is one of the most popular desserts of the Thanksgiving season. Now, imagine a twist with the Vegan Southern Bourbon Pecan Pie a revamped, plant-based version that maintains that irresistible sweetness and nuttiness, all wrapped in a homemade crust infused with the warm and inviting essence of orange, making it a perfect choice for a cozy holiday season. Gluten-free + Make Ahead option.
New Orleans Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
Cooks in 95 minutesThis classic recipe for New Orleans Bread Pudding recipe skips the raisins and is drowned in a silky bourbon sauce.
Old Fashioned Lemon Icebox Pie
Cooks in 210 minutesThis old-fashioned Lemon Icebox Pie has a fresh, zesty lemony custard, soft meringue topping, and firm buttery cookie crust.
Best Ever Old-Fashioned Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe
Cooks in 120 minutesThis easy, old-fashionedKentucky Butter Cakeis rich, buttery, and soft. Magical butter-sugar syrup creates an irresistible crumbly, melt-in-your mouth crust.
Old Fashioned Southern Tea Cakes Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesSouthern Tea Cakes are soft, buttery, and crumbly much more cookie than cake. This recipe is basic and endlessly adaptable.
Drinks
If you are a cognac or whiskey lover, Sazerac is the drink for you! It is the official cocktail of New Orleans, and it is the perfect accompaniment to infuse your gatherings with the city's festive spirit, allowing you to channel the essence of New Orleans into your meal without leaving home.
Classic Sazerac Cocktail Recipe
Cooks in 5 minutesFragrant and complex in flavor, this timeless rye whiskey cocktail recipe isn’t for the faint of heart. Not when there's absinthe involved.
New Orleans Hurricane Cocktail
Cooks in 5 minutesThe hurricane cocktail is a fruity rum punch made famous in New Orleans. The ultimate crowd-pleasing cocktail recipe!
Mint Julep a la Dabney
Cooks in 3 minutesThe Mint Julep is a classic cocktail perfect for a warm day. This mint julep recipe is created and served the forgotten 'champion' way from the pre-Prohibition era to celebrate the Black bartenders who perfected and mastered the Mint Julep to make it the popular Derby Day cocktail it is today.
Southern Iced Sweet Tea
Cooks in 20 minutesSouthern Iced Sweet Tea, a strong infusion of black tea that is sweetened and served over ice, is an essential element of southern cuisine.
FAQ
What is the difference between Jambalaya vs Gumbo?
These two dishes are iconic Louisana dishes and have roots in both Cajun and Creole heritage, however, gumbo is a stew while Jambalaya is a rice dish. Gumbo is served with long-grain white rice and is created by making a roux with flour and some kind of fat as well as a secondary type of thicker such as okra and/or filé (dried and powdered leaves of the North American sassafras). Whereas Jambalaya is a rice dish, meaning the rice is in the dish and typically relies on the holy trinity, the nickname for the finely chopped trio of onion, celery, and bell pepper, to season the dish.
source: https://www.southernliving.com/food/seafood/gumbo-vs-jambalaya
Is Jambalaya thick or soupy?
Jambalaya is thick and a little wet, but not soupy or gooey. To prevent it from being soupy, SwankyRecipes suggests running your rice under cold water until the water turns clear to get the starch off the rice.
source: https://www.swankyrecipes.com/creole-chicken-and-sausage-jambalaya-from-a-nola-local.html
What are the two types of Jambalaya?
There are two different styles of Jambalaya: Creole jambalaya and Cajun Jambalaya or you can distinguish them by red or brown Jambalaya. Simply put, Creole (red) Jambalaya uses tomatoes and Cajun Jambalaya does not.
source: https://www.explorelouisiana.com/articles/cajun-vs-creole-food-what-difference
What is the difference between creole seasoning and cajun seasoning?
This resource from Explore Louisana simplifies the distinction between the two quite succinctly: Creole food is city food and Cajun food is country food. Creole food is unique to New Orleans, and while the two are becoming more interchangeable, they are still two distinct cultures. Generally, Cajun seasoning is the spicier of the two because it includes cayenne pepper as well as back pepper, white pepper, and others. Creole seasoning on the other hand uses more herbs such as paprika, oregano, thyme, etc.. As mentioned previously, many people add both creole and cajun spices to their dishes.
source: https://www.explorelouisiana.com/articles/cajun-vs-creole-food-what-difference
Can you freeze Jambalaya?
Some say that if you freeze Jambalaya it can turn the rice gummy, however, others say if you store it in an airtight container for 2 to 3 months it should be fine. Here is a helpful resource that tested five different methods of reheating Jambalaya to see which method worked the best.
source: https://pantryandlarder.com/how-to-reheat-jambalaya/
59 Side Dishes for Jambalaya
What to serve with Jambalaya: Make a menu for a New Orleans feast from this selection of Southern apps, sides, veggies, salads, beans, desserts, and cocktails.
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