this Vegan Jambalaya is a spicy plant based inspiration of the classic Louisiana rice dish. ready for Mardi Gras - gluten and soy free.
Vegan Jambalaya
There was a time I did not like spicy foods.
I know, right?
Actually, I think I just never gave them a chance, and certainly never cooked anything spicy or with any amount of heat. My dad loves spicy foods. My brother loves spicy foods. Jason loves spicy foods.
Little by little, I have come around and now I love spicy foods. I will always stand by my original thought, though - that it must be a flavorful heat, not just so hot that I am crying and cannot taste anything. I have been having fun learning about peppers and spices, and their varying heat levels.
Jason and I have a tradition - we meet my Dad for lunch almost every Sunday. One of our regular restaurants has a great jambalaya, and both Jason and my dad order it often.
Vegan Jambalaya is one of those dishes I have been meaning to recreate at home, and when a client asked me to come up with something for a Mardi Gras party, jambalaya instantly came to mind.
Cooking Light Recipes
As a proud member of the Cooking Light Bloggers' Connection, I took inspiration from several of their tasty jambalaya recipes, and created a Vegan Jambalaya recipe of my own.
I chose our favorite vegan sausage, which is also gluten and soy free. These sausages come in the Hot Italian, a Sweet Italian, and Original Brat. We love them all, and for this recipe we have used both Hot Italian and the Brat. So good. I especially love the Italian one - the flavors go well with the spices in this Vegan Jambalaya.
In place of chicken, I added marinated jackfruit. With this recipe, I have also used soy curls rehydrated in the same bouillon mixture, or tomato juice. I cooked the rice with tomato juice for extra flavor, and the jalapeños and spices bring a good amount of heat. Also? Your kitchen will smell wonderful when you make this.
I also used my favorite flavorful trick in making my Simple Spanish Rice - cooking the rice in vegetable juice instead of water. Mmm.
Jason - my resident taste tester and jambalaya fan - loves this Vegan Jambalaya recipe. I hope you do too!
MORE JACKFRUIT RECIPES:
Vegan Buffalo Jackfruit Enchiladas
Buffalo Jack Avocado Noodle Rolls
Jackfruit Chile Relleno Pot Pie
MORE SPICY RECIPES:
Vegan Jambalaya
YIELD: 6 servings
dairy, egg, soy and gluten free, vegan
INGREDIENTS:
1 teaspoon vegan bouillon
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
â…“ cup water
1 (20 ounce) can jackfruit in brine, drained
2 tablespoons soy free vegan butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 yellow onion, peeled and diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 jalapeños, stemmed, seeded and diced
2 stalks celery, trimmed and diced
1 cup brown rice
4 cups tomato / vegetable juice
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon oregano
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes, plus liquid
3 gluten free vegan sausages, sliced
3-4 pieces okra, sliced (or frozen pieces)
2 teaspoons fresh cracked black pepper
1 teaspoon sea salt
hot sauce, optional
INSTRUCTIONS:
In small bowl, combine bouillon, smoked paprika, and water. Stir to combine.
Drain jack fruit, place in large bowl. Using two forks, shred jack fruit into smaller pieces (or chop with knife). Add bouillon marinade. Stir to combine, coating jackfruit completely. Set aside.
Meanwhile in large saucepan over medium heat, sauté garlic, onion, bell pepper, celery and jalapeno in butter. When vegetables have softened, transfer to slow cooker.
To slow cooker, add rice and stir completely.
Add 2 cups tomato juice, onion powder, oregano, paprika and cayenne, cook until rice absorbs juice (about one hour). Stir occasionally.
Add remaining tomato juice, tomatoes, sausage and soy curls, salt and pepper to taste. Continue to cook on low at least one more hour. Rice will become fluffier after this second hour.
Add okra at the last five minutes of cooking, and finish with hot sauce if using.
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about Kristina:
Kristina is spabettie! She discovered a love of cooking at an early age, and founded spabettie in 2010 to share vegan recipes. As the sole recipe developer and photographer, Kristina turned her culinary training into the best way to spend her days - sharing how flavorful and vibrant vegan food is! She loves dachshunds, karaoke, drums, and travel.
printable Vegan Jambalaya recipe:
Vegan Jambalaya
this Vegan Jambalaya is a spicy plant based inspiration of the classic Louisiana rice dish. ready for Mardi Gras - gluten and soy free.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon vegan bouillon
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- â…“ cup water
- 1 (20 ounce) can jackfruit in brine, drained
- 2 tablespoons soy free vegan butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 yellow onion, peeled and diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 jalapeños, stemmed, seeded and diced
- 2 stalks celery, trimmed and diced
- 1 cup brown rice
- 4 cups tomato / vegetable juice
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes, plus liquid
- 3 gluten free vegan sausages, sliced
- 3-4 pieces okra, sliced (or frozen pieces)
- 2 teaspoons fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- hot sauce, optional
Instructions
- In small bowl, combine bouillon, smoked paprika, and water. Stir to combine.
- Drain jack fruit, place in large bowl. Using two forks, shred jack fruit into smaller pieces (or chop with knife). Add bouillon marinade. Stir to combine, coating jackfruit completely. Set aside.
- Meanwhile in large saucepan over medium heat, sauté garlic, onion, bell pepper, celery and jalapeno in butter. When vegetables have softened, transfer to slow cooker.
- To slow cooker, add rice and stir completely.
- Add 2 cups tomato juice, onion powder, oregano, paprika and cayenne, cook until rice absorbs juice (about one hour). Stir occasionally.
- Add remaining tomato juice, tomatoes, sausage and soy curls, salt and pepper to taste. Continue to cook on low at least one more hour. Rice will become fluffier after this second hour.
- Add okra at the last five minutes of cooking, and finish with hot sauce if using.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Better Than Bouillon
-
Morton & Bassett Paprika Smoked, 2 ounce
-
Lundberg Family Farms Short Grain Rice, Brown, 32 Ounce
-
V8 Original Low Sodium 100% Vegetable Juice, 46 oz. Bottle
-
McCormick Onion Powder, 2.62 oz
-
Morton & Bassett Oregano, 1.1 ounce
-
365 Everyday Value, Cayenne Pepper, 1.76 Ounce
-
365 Everyday Value, Organic Diced Tomatoes No Salt Added, 14.5 Ounce
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 134Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 417mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 6gSugar: 9gProtein: 6g
nutrition calculations results vary by calculator, are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to replace medical advice or treatment.
spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Miranda @ Biting Life says
I love this! Since I visited New Orleans this past Christmas, I've been OBSESSED with the awesome food from there. Thanks for this awesome recipe to fulfill my cravings 🙂
lindsay says
hell ya! we like it spicy! like everything. This will be a must make in our kitchen soon.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Ya bet I am a spicy foodie for sure 😉
I want to dive into that jambalaya deliciousness!!!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
This looks amazing! I love heat, but it has to be a flavor component, not just hot. I want to taste the spice not be on fire. I have really developed a deep love for spicy foods! I haven't have Jambalaya since I developed a recipe for a client two years ago...I have no idea why because it is so dang good!
Tiffany says
Love the spice and I always love that I can spot a fresh jalapeno in your food pics, it's the first thing I see 🙂 I need to check out her site for your recipe and the po boy recipe, they are absolutely delicious.
Allie says
I am definitely checking this out! I am weird enough to love okra (and have a bag of frozen okra that needs to be used). I usually don't do much for Mardi Gras, but now I'm thinking I just might have to celebrate...
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
Is it really already Mardi Gras??? I can eat jambalaya any time...and I'm excited to see your vegan recipe!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
LOVE spicy food. I take after my dad though and usually start sweating when eating it. Not the most attractive thing in the world but it doesn't stop me 😉
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Great recipe! I've actually never had jambalaya because it has seafood in it. I'm going to have to try this one out. The spicier, the better. 🙂
Christin@purplebirdblog says
I love spicy foods, but I've actually been CRAVING them hardcore lately, the spicier the better, way more spice than normal... so much so that I was actually really relieved when my period got here last week. Thank goodness it's not that!
Christin@purplebirdblog says
Oh, and I just tagged you in some silly quiz thing, if you're so inclined.