Celebrate Mardi Gras and the tastes of Louisiana with our quick and easy Instant Pot jambalaya. This sizzling one-pot dish sticks to its creole roots by including the holy trinity of vegetables (onion, celery, and bell pepper) while blending them in a hearty mixture of rice, tomatoes, Andouille sausage, and shrimp.
The ruby-red hue of the jambalaya's sauce makes this dish unmistakably creole jambalaya, or "red jambalaya," more commonly found in New Orleans.
In Cajun jambalaya, the meat in the dish is browned and caramelized before other ingredients are added. The tomatoes are also omitted when making a Cajun-style jambalaya, resulting in a brownish color, rather than a red hue commonly visible in Creole-style jambalaya.
However, your family chooses to prepare this famous Louisiana-origin dish; there is no wrong way. But, using an Instant Pot to prepare this delicious home style dinner is a no-brainer, especially if you want to enjoy a dish overflowing with rich flavor and history of Louisiana in a snap!
Instant Pot Jambalaya
Ingredients
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 1 celery stalk
- 1 green bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 ounces Andouille sausage
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 12 ounces medium cooked shrimp
- scallions thinly sliced (optional)
Directions
Wash and dry the produce. Peel and chop an onion, and chop the celery. Then, seed, core, and chop the bell pepper. Place the chopped vegetables in a small bowl. Set aside.
Next, slice the Andouille sausage into ¼-inch-thick rounds. Then heat the olive oil in the Instant Pot on Sauté. Add the sausage and cook until slightly browned on both sides, about 4 minutes. Transfer the cooked sausage to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
Add the vegetable mixture to the hot Instant Pot. Sauté until the onion in the mixture is translucent, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic, cook until fragrant.
Next, add the paprika, cayenne pepper, ground thyme, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, to taste. Pour in the rice, then stir until the rice is well coated in the spices and oil in the Instant Pot.
Hit Cancel on the Instant Pot to end the sauté mode. Then add the can of diced tomatoes, followed by the chicken stock. Stir to combine.
Set the Instant Pot to Sealing Position and cook on Manual High Pressure for 8 minutes. Allow the Instant Pot to release for 5 minutes naturally.
Remove the lid from the Instant Pot and stir in the cooked shrimp and sausage. Replace the lid and allow the ingredients to heat through an additional 5 minutes in the residual heat. Serve the jambalaya immediately and top with thinly sliced scallions.
Supplies
- small bowl
- Instant Pot
- paper towel-lined plate
Recipe Notes
What Is Andouille Sausage?
Andouille sausage, pronounced "an-DOO-ee," is a smoked sausage made using pork, originating in France. Andouille sausage is commonly spicy and contains cayenne, garlic, and cumin.
What's A Good Substitute For Andouille Sausage?
If you're unable to find Andouille sausage at your local grocer, Kielbasa is a good substitute.