Instant Pot Jambalaya

Last Updated on February 27, 2025

This Louisiana-inspired Instant Pot Jambalaya is the perfect one-pot dish for a weeknight dinner.

Chunky bites of andouille sausage contrast perfectly with the veggies and rice to produce a quick and wholesome meal. If you enjoy Louisiana-style cooking, you might also want to try this Instant Pot shrimp and sausage gumbo.

You can eat this type of food any time of year, but it’s definitely a good dish to cook for Mardi Gras. If you do cook it then, you could serve this layered jello for Mardi Gras as dessert.

Jump to:

• What is Jambalaya?
• The History of Jambalaya
• SAVE THIS RECIPE!
• ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🔀 Substitutions
• 🌈 Variations / Options / Add-Ins
• 🥄 Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
• Tired of Ads?
• 🔪 How to Make Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
• 👩‍🍳 Pro Tips
• ❓ Recipe FAQs
• 🙏 Pairing
• SAVE THIS RECIPE!
• 📋 Recipe
• Pro Tips
• Recipe FAQs
• More Instant Pot Resources

What is Jambalaya?

Originating in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, jambalaya is a tasty and wholesome dish that includes meat, vegetables, spices and rice. Easy to make in one pot, it’s the perfect comfort food for a spicy dinner with the family.

The History of Jambalaya

Necessity is the mother of invention they say. Or as in the case of jambalaya, the lack of an ingredient resulted in the creation of a new dish.

In the early 19th century, the Spanish settlers brought their culture with them to New Orleans but faced one problem—a lack of saffron to make paella. They substituted with tomatoes, and the rest as they say is history—a new dish was born.

Jambalaya! Or specifically “Red Jambalaya” or “Creole Jambalaya” was made even more flavorful when Caribbean immigrants came to New Orleans and added a variety of spices to the dish.

As jambalaya grew popular, a newer Cajun version of the dish was birthed in the Southern towns of Louisiana where tomatoes were sparse. So, without the red from the tomatoes, this was known as a brown version of the dish called “Cajun Jambalaya.”

It included local meats and seafood, onions, bell peppers, celery and seasonings brought over by the French in the early 19th century.

By the 1840s the Germans made their way to Louisiana bringing with them their sausage-making culture. Soon sausages found their way into the jambalaya and other Louisiana dishes too.

And that’s how the current version of this iconic dish came to be—a potful of contributions from different cultures.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Louisiana-inspired Instant Pot Jambalaya is a one-pot dish full of a variety of flavors that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner:

• Easy to make: All you have to do is dice and slice some of the ingredients, gather the rest and cook them all in the Instant Pot.
• Fills the house with a delicious aroma: The combination of garlic, onion, seasonings and the other ingredients really smell delicious as they cook. Your family will come in the kitchen asking you when dinner will be ready because it smells so good.
• Leftovers make great lunch: Jambalaya is really easy to reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, so it’s perfect to have for lunch at work or at home.

If you love dishes made with andouille sausage, you should try this Instant Pot red beans and rice recipe.

🥘 Ingredients

All the ingredients for this recipe are easy to find at your local grocery store.

• Andouille sausage: When browned at the beginning, the sausage releases flavorful oils and spices into the pot, which enhance the overall taste of the dish. You’ll probably find the Cajun-style andouille at your local store, but if there’s a different kind and you prefer that, you can choose that instead.
• Jalapeno pepper: The subtle spice and brightness of the jalapeño balance the richness of the sausage and the depth of the tomato-based broth. When preparing jalapeños, you should wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area to protect your skin and eyes from the capsaicin in the peppers. 
• Creole seasoning: It gives the dish its distinct Creole taste, combining herbs and spices commonly used in Louisiana cuisine.
• Tomato paste: The natural sugars in tomato paste balance the spice and acidity of the diced tomatoes and Creole seasoning. It also helps create a thicker, more cohesive sauce that coats the rice and other ingredients well.
• White long-grain rice: As the rice cooks, it absorbs liquid and naturally thickens the jambalaya, giving it its signature consistency. Long-grain rice is best for this recipe because it stays light and separate after cooking, preventing the dish from becoming mushy or overly sticky.
• Diced tomatoes: The red tomatoes contribute to the vibrant appearance and add small chunks of texture throughout the dish.
• Chicken stock: This adds a savory depth that complements the sausage, spices, and vegetables. Plus, the liquid is necessary for the rice to absorb and cook properly.
• Worcestershire sauce: It adds a subtle tangy-sweet note that helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes and the heat from the spices.

See recipe card for complete list of ingredients and quantities

🔀 Substitutions

If you don’t have the ingredients you need, or if you have different dietary needs/preferences, see if you have these instead:

Andouille sausage: Choose chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter alternative with less fat. You can use a plant-based sausage for a vegetarian/vegan version.

Jalapeno pepper: If you’re serving this to your kids and they don’t like spicy foods, you can just use a bell pepper instead.

Creole seasoning: You can use Old Bay seasoning instead because it offers a similar bold, seasoned kick.

Tomato paste: If all you have is tomato sauce, you can still use it, although it’s less concentrated, but still rich.

White long-grain rice: For a low-carb option use cauliflower rice instead (add it at the end instead of pressure-cooking it).

Diced tomatoes: If you prefer less processed ingredients, you can chop fresh tomatoes instead, but they might be more liquid-heavy.

Chicken stock: Use vegetable stock for a vegetarian/vegan option. If you don’t have chicken stock, water plus a bouillon cube will work instead.

Worcestershire sauce: Coconut aminos provide a soy-free, slightly sweeter alternative.

🌈 Variations / Options / Add-Ins

This jambalaya can easily be customized to fit your personal tastes.

• Additional protein: Add shrimp for a classic seafood jambalaya—cook them separately, then stir in after the rice is done, or add them to the Instant Pot in the last few minutes of cooking. Or, use chicken thighs or breasts, either diced or shredded—you can cook them with the sausage or separately, depending on your preference.
• Additional vegetables: Add okra since it’s a traditional ingredient in jambalaya, and it will add a slight sweetness and thickness to the dish. Celery is also a common addition to Creole dishes, and it adds a mild, aromatic flavor—sauté it with the onions and peppers.
• Toppings: Top it with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley and add a dash of hot sauce or fresh lime to brighten up the dish. To make the kids like it even more, top it with shredded cheese (like cheddar or Monterey Jack) and crushed tortilla chips.

If you want a Cajun recipe made with chicken, try this Instant Pot Cajun chicken pasta.

🥄 Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools

You only need a few kitchen tools to help you make this easy recipe. So, gather these tools and get ready to enjoy this tasty dinner.

Instant Pot: A 6 quart Instant Pot is a good size to use to make this recipe. It provides enough room to cook the rice, sausage, vegetables, and liquid without overfilling.

Knife and cutting board: You’ll need this for cutting the sausage and vegetables.

Measuring cups and spoons: These will be used for liquid ingredients and spices.

🔪 How to Make Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Cooking up this Instant Pot jambalaya recipe is as easy as ever. Just follow these steps and you’ll have dinner ready in about 45 minutes.

Step 1: Sauté the Sausage

Set Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Once hot, add oil and the sausage.

Cook sausage, stirring frequently, until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Onions and Bell Peppers

Next, add onions and green bell peppers to the pot. Cook until the onions are translucent, about three minutes.

Step 3: Sauté the Garlic and Jalapeño

Add the garlic and continue sautéing for another minute before adding the diced jalapeño. Stir well.

Step 4: Add Seasonings and Paste

Add the creole seasoning, thyme, tomato paste and salt to the Instant Pot and mix well.

Step 5: Add the Rice

Then add the rice. Stir again and sauté for another minute. Turn off sauté mode by selecting cancel on your instant pot.

Step 6: Pour in Liquids

Add the diced tomatoes, chicken stock, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce and mix well.

Then add the cooked sausages back in along with the green onions, and bay leaves.

Step 7: Deglaze

Loosen any bits of food stuck to the bottom of the pot by using a wooden spoon.

Step 8: Pressure Cook

Then secure the lid, set the pressure valve to sealing and set to high pressure for 7 minutes.

Step 9: Natural Release

Next, allow the instant pot to naturally release pressure for 15 minutes.

Step 10: Manual Release

After 15 minutes, do a manual release by turning the pressure valve to venting.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Spoon into bowls and serve immediately. Top with fresh jalapeno slices as a garnish if you like.

👩‍🍳 Pro Tips

Here are a few tips that you can use to make sure that your jambalaya turns out perfectly.

• You can save time by chopping the onions, garlic, and bell pepper together in a vegetable chopper.
• Don’t skip the step where you loosen the bits stuck to the bottom of the instant pot with a wooden spoon. This prevents the Instant Pot from giving a burn notice.
• Long-grain rice stays fluffy and separate. Avoid short-grain or instant rice, as they can become mushy.
• If you don’t like your food very spicy, reduce the creole seasoning by half and omit the hot sauce.

❓ Recipe FAQs

🙏 Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Instant Pot Jambalaya:

Ready to get cooking? Print off the recipe card below or toggle on Cook Mode to keep your screen from going dark while you follow along on your phone or tablet.

📋 Recipe

More Instant Pot Resources

Love your Instant Pot? Find more Instant Pot Recipes here. And check out my favorite Instant Pot Hacks.