Published: Aug 8, 2022 by kaydimaggio

Dutch Oven Jambalaya (Vegan)

Name: Dutch Oven Jambalaya (Vegan)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 cup White Rice; 1 Red Bell Pepper; 1 Green Bell Pepper; 3 Stalks Celery; 28 ounces Petite Diced Tomatoes; 4 Vegan Sausage Links; 3 cloves Garlic; 1/2 cup Okra; 2 cups Vegetable Broth; 2 teaspoons Creole Seasoning; 1 tsp Oregano; 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes; 1/2 tsp Black Pepper

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This Dutch Oven Jambalaya is healthy, nutritious, and easy to make! Filled with fresh vegetables and bold spices, this one-pot meal is a recipe the whole family will enjoy!

*Originally published September 17, 2021 and updated with new copy and photos 8/8/22.

I grew up eating Southern Food. My family has roots in the South, even though I was born and raised in California. I also love one pot meals. This Dutch Oven Jambalaya is a quintessential Southern staple. Full of bold Creole flavors and fresh vegetables, this dish will have you booking a ticket straight for Bourbon Street!

Check out some other great Southern dishes, like this Cajun Pasta with Smoked Sausage or this Vegan Southern Peach Cobbler.

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What Makes this Dutch Oven Jambalaya So Great
Ingredient Notes
Instructions
Substitutions
Variations
Equipment
Storage
FAQ
Top tips
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Dutch Oven Jambalaya (Vegan)
Food safety

What Makes this Dutch Oven Jambalaya So Great

One Pot Meal- Who doesn't love easy, one-pot meals? Keep the dishes at bay by making this easy dinner and only dirtying up one pan!
Plant-Based- This is the perfect recipe for a meatless Monday meal, packed full of protein, hearty, and filling, you won't even miss the meat!
Budget-Friendly- The best part about this dinner is how budget-friendly it is! Loaded with vegetables, tomatoes, and spices, these are all ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients on marble counter with text overlay

Plant-Based Sausage- Jambalaya is made with sausage, chicken, and shrimp. This vegan jambalaya is a little on the lighter side, relying on plant-based sausage to do the heavy lifting of the animal proteins. I used beyond sausage in this recipe, but feel free to use whatever plant-based sausage links you can find. I have heard great things about Field Roast or Lightlife!
Creole Seasoning- You can either make your own or use a pre-bought mixture. I opted for the pre-bought kind as that is what I had in my pantry.
Holy Trinity- The holy trinity of cajun and creole cooking is a mixture of onion, celery, and bell peppers. It is the cajun version of mirepoix.
Okra- This is a key ingredient in this Jambalaya recipe, acting as both the thickener and giving delicious flavor. You can choose to leave this out if you can't find it, however, I highly suggest leaving it in. If you can't find fresh okra, check the freezer section of your local grocery store where you should be able to find frozen okra.

See the recipe card for the full ingredient list and quantities.

Instructions

Heat one tablespoon of oil in a Dutch Oven over medium-high heat. Dice the bell peppers, celery, and onions until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the sliced sausage and garlic; season with salt, pepper, oregano, red pepper flakes, and the Creole seasoning. Stir in the okra slices and tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
Add in the rice and vegetable broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a low-medium simmer. Cover and let simmer for about 20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and rice is cooked, while stirring occasionally.
Season with extra salt and pepper if needed and serve immediately.

Hint: If you can't find okra at your local store, you can use file powder to thicken the sauce. I normally find okra in my freezer section.

Substitutions

Need to make this fit into a certain diet, check out these substitutions below!

Keto - swap out the rice for a heart of palm rice for a lower-carb option.
Low-Sodium - omit the salt and use a low sodium creole seasoning
Whole 30 - use cauliflower rice in place of white rice and swap out the beyond sausage for a whole 30 protein.

Variations

Check out some of these common variations to make this recipe work for you!

Instant Pot - follow the instructions to saute everything and then when you reach the step to add in the white rice and tomatoes, cook on manual pressure for 5 minutes and then manual release.
Slow Cooker - Add everything to the slow cooker except for the rice and cook for 3-4 hours on high and 6-8 hours on low. 30 minutes before serving, turn the slow cooker on high and add the rice.

Check out this other delicious Southern dish here.

Equipment

Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. See below for the equipment you will need to make this recipe.

Dutch Oven or Large Soup Pot
Wooden Spoons
Chef Knife
Cutting Board
Measuring Cups and Spoons

Storage

Store the jambalaya in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

These ingredients don't stand up well to freezing.

FAQ

What is the difference between Creole and Cajun Jambalaya?

While Cajun and Creole cultures have many differences, one of the most noticeable is in their food. One of the simplest differences between the two cuisine types is that Creole food typically uses tomatoes and tomato-based sauces while traditional Cajun food does not.

What is the difference between Paella and Jambalaya?

While similar, Paella and Jambalaya come from different cultures and use different spices. Paella uses saffron while Jambalaya does not. Paella is also more mild than jambalaya.

What is the difference between Gumbo and Jambalaya?

There are big differences between Jambalaya and Gumbo that you might not know of if you didn't traditionally grow up around these foods. The main difference between these two dishes is their use of rice. 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. Both dishes boast multicultural Creole and Cajun roots. Check out this Easy Vegan Gumbo!

Top tips

Don't be afraid to experiment with spices in this recipe. If you like heat, feel free to add more creole seasoning. If you are not a huge fan of heat, feel free to cut the spice level in half.
It is important to use white rice in this recipe as it will best soak up the juices from the broth and tomatoes. You could also use brown rice, but you will need to add more liquid and cook it longer than white.
Feel free to use fresh or frozen okra. If using frozen, make sure to thaw it before adding to the jambalaya.

Large pan and two plates on white surface with multicolored napkin and okra

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