No need to feel stuck when thinking of what to serve jambalaya with. I’ve collected some of the best sides for jambalaya that you can easily whip up at home without any muss or fuss.
Jambalaya is a one of a kind Cajun and Creole rice dish with influences from French, Spanish, and West African cuisines. This scrumptious recipe is known for featuring the delicious combination of meat, seafood, rice, vegetables, andouille, stock, and a variety of seasonings all in one pot.
With jambalaya’s spicy and rich flavors, it’s not surprising that this dish has become a staple in Louisiana and around the world. Although the dish can be served alone, it’s a fact that jambalaya is even more impressive when served with sides. To help you create a fantastic meal that will wow the family, this post is here to give you some ideas about what to serve jambalaya with.
This post contains links for items to purchase. I make a commission on any sales.
What meat goes well with jambalaya?
Jambalaya is made with plenty of different ingredients. The delicious dish includes broth, meat, seafood, vegetables, andouille, rice, and seasoning.
While most recipes call for either chicken, pork, or beef, according to Brittanica, some jambalaya recipes also use rabbit meat. In short, all kinds of meat go well with jambalaya and it’s up to you to choose the one you prefer.
On the other hand, for the seafood, some use shrimp, crawfish, and crab as well. Different vegetables can also be used in making jambalaya. But of course, if you want to cook the classic Creole style jambalaya, choose the staples such as bell pepper, celery, tomatoes, and onions.
What goes with jambalaya as a side dish?
Because the dish itself is already packed with protein, veggies, and interesting flavors, you might feel intimidated thinking about what to serve jambalaya with. However, I’m happy to report that there are actually plenty of recipes you can choose from.
If you’re looking for what to serve jambalaya with, these side dishes won’t disappoint. From sweeter to lighter to more southern inspired dishes, this fun collection of recipes has something to please everyone’s palate.
In this creative round up of side dishes for jambalaya, you can look forward to easy recipes for potatoes, cornbread, vegetable salads, mac and cheese, appetizers, and a lot more!
Kitchen must haves to prepare to make side dishes for jambalaya:
As you get to know what to serve jambalaya with, make it also a point to have some of these kitchen tools and gadgets to ensure that your cooking experience will be fun and stress free.
These kitchen essentials will not only be a wonderful addition to upgrade your kitchen arsenal but also make great gift ideas. Whether it’s a gift for yourself or the other home cooks in your life, you can never go wrong with these must-have kitchen gadgets.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- USA Bakeware Muffin Pan
- Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1
- Ceramic Baking Dish Set
- Mixing Bowls Set
- USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan
- Pasta Salad Bowls Set
- Kitchen Knife Set
- Ninja Foodi 8 Quart DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer
What to Serve Jambalaya With
To start your jambalaya feast, you'll want to consider adding these easy to make and addictive appetizers to your menu. These appetizer recipes are all easy to whip up, they'll be ready in no time.
Lightened up but still indulgent, this simple deviled eggs recipe is perfect for sharing. You can whip up this appetizer in just 15 minutes using light mayonnaise, eggs, yellow mustard, paprika, sweet relish, and salt.
Made with baked sweet potato rounds topped with mashed avocado, bacon, and cilantro, don't be surprised if the whole family will beg you to make these sweet potato bites again and again! This recipe is loaded with flavors and can be done in just 45 minutes.
Within 25 minutes, you can already have these restaurant quality cheddar biscuits served at your dinner table. This recipe uses biscuit mix and other simple ingredients so you can whip up these tasty biscuits in a breeze.
This fried okra recipe is sure to become a hit! They are not only crispy and so good but they're nutritious as well.
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these hush puppies will be another family favorite! Plus, you can deep fry them in a stockpot or simply use the air fryer.
Jambalaya Menu
Complete your jambalaya menu with these amazing side dishes. From veggies to salads, mashed potatoes, and many more, these recipes are all worth the try.
Thanks to the air fryer, these delicious and healthy brussels sprouts are ready within 20 minutes. This recipe is so easy it only calls for olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, lemon zest, and of course, brussels sprouts.
Perfect as a side dish and a snack, these baked zucchini fries will be a new family favorite! They're a healthier alternative to fries and you can actually use any kind of summer squash to make this crispy and guilt free dish.
Purple potatoes, baby potatoes, and butternut squash seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper, these roasted potatoes are loaded with different colors, textures, and flavors.
Spicy and flavorful, there's no doubt that this jalapeno cornbread will be a perfect pair with your jambalaya. You can make this recipe in the skillet or the muffin pan whichever you prefer.
Six simple ingredients and about 18 minutes, that's all you need to whip up these amazingly delicious and appetizing mashed sweet potatoes. Just prepare sweet potatoes, salt, pepper, plain fat free Greek yogurt, garlic, and sugar.
Add some sweetness to your meal by trying this easy and delicious fruit salad. This recipe uses bananas, maraschino cherries, mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, and the secret ingredient — vanilla pudding mix.
Aside from broccoli, this salad is also loaded with bacon and cheese. If you're looking for a restaurant quality side dish this copycat Ruby Tuesday recipe is a must try!
With its simple three ingredient homemade BBQ grilling sauce, this corn on the cob recipe is even more delicious and ideal to serve with jambalaya. You can prepare this corn on the cob using a charcoal grill, gas grill, and even on a campfire too.
No one will be able to say no to these mouthwatering baked macaroni and cheese! This is another copycat Ruby Tuesday recipe you shouldn't miss.
Packed with broccoli, cauliflower, bacon, blueberries, red onion, and cheese, and also comes with a homemade dressing, it's a must to give this vegetable salad a try. Plus, aside from being a side dish for your jambalaya, this salad also makes a perfect lunch.
Sweet potatoes and acorn squash seasoned with nutmeg, cinnamon, brown sugar, and canola oil, then roasted to perfection. This recipe for sweet potatoes is both sweet and savory!
This mashed potato stuffing casserole is easier to make than you might think. You'll love that this dish does not only call for a few ingredients but is packed with veggies as well.
Learn how to make cauliflower rice in just 10 minutes with the help of this recipe! This cauliflower rice needs nothing but a large head of cauliflower and is ideal for a low carb diet.
This recipe for mashed potatoes could not be easier thanks to the Instant Pot. You can whip up these garlicky and tasty mashed potatoes in about 35 minutes with just nine ingredients.
Flavorful, light, creamy, and refreshing, this cucumber salad is best served with jambalaya and all your other dinner favorites. This salad is super quick to make, you can whip it up in seven minutes effortlessly.
Lighter and undoubtedly delicious, this broccoli salad does not come with fruits or nuts. This recipe only calls for cheese, bacon bits, broccoli, red onion, skim milk, white vinegar, Truvia, light mayo, and no fat Greek yogurt.
Looking for more recipe collections to check out?
Here are some other posts that you’ll want to visit if you are looking for even more recipe collections. There’s something for everyone on these lists. If you are stocking your meal plans for the coming weeks you won’t want to miss out on some of these drool inducing roundups!