Easy Sausage and Shrimp Jambalaya in Instant Pot

Sausage and Shrimp Instant Pot Jambalaya is a hearty, comforting, and filling Southern Comfort food recipe perfect for fall evenings or winter nights. Making it in the Instant Pot saves time and makes cleaning up a breeze.

Jump to:

• Instant Pot Jambalaya
• What is Jambalaya?
• Is it a Cajun or Creole recipe?
• Ingredients needed for this recipe
• How to Make Instant Pot Jambalaya
• Step 1: Sauté Andouille Sausages
• Step 2: Add tomato and seasoning
• Step 3: Add veggies
• Step 4: Add rice and cook
• Step 5: Add shrimps and cook
• do you cook shrimp before adding to jambalaya?
• Love Andouille Sausages? More Andouille Sausages Recipes
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Traditional Cast-Iron Jambalaya
• Storage
• Can I use Brown Rice?
• Can I make Jambalaya without rice?
• Can I make Vegetarian Jambalaya?
• More Instant Pot recipes
• Recipe Card
• Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya in Instant Pot

Instant Pot Jambalaya

In my home, we make Instant Pot Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya all the time.

It's that smoky taste of sausages and that comforting seafood taste of shrimp that makes me want to make this recipe again and again.

We often make this with chicken and sausages. I love chicken and sausage Jambalaya.

Generally, I use boneless skinless chicken thighs to make my Jambalaya.

But, today, I was trying to make it more like a "creole" version, and therefore I decided to go with Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya.

What is Jambalaya?

Jambalaya is a popular Southern food. Sources say that it originated in Louisiana, New Orleans. It is supposed to taste comforting, filling, and spicy, just like any other Cajun recipe.

Gimme more Cajun Recipes

Cajun Shrimp and Rice

Cajun Chicken and Rice Casserole

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Cajun Butter Crockpot Chicken Thighs and Rice

Salmon Pasta in Creamy Cajun Sauce

20-Minute Cajun Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Cajun Chicken (BAKED),

Extra Crispy Cajun Dry Rub Chicken Wings

Traditionally it is made with Chicken and Andouille Sausages.

Some people use ham or Shrimps.

Earlier it used to be made in a Cast-iron skillet but these days to cut down on the cooking time, people love making it in an Instant Pot.

Is it a Cajun or Creole recipe?

This is a debate that no one has found answers to. But yes, there are theories that can differentiate between the two.

Instead of naming this popular southern recipe Cajun or Creole, people have actually created two types of Jambalaya - the Cajun version and the Creole version.

Cajun Version Vs Creole Version

The Creole version is lightly orange and reddish in color whereas the Cajun version is brown in color. This is because Cajun Jambalaya doesn't use tomatoes. Read More: Everything about Cajun Cuisines

But, as I said, these are just theories. There is no substantial evidence to prove these facts.

Here you can read more about Cajun Vs Creole Food

Ingredients needed for this recipe

This recipe for Instant Pot Jambalaya uses quite a few ingredients. So make sure you prepare them in advance before you start with the recipe.

• Olive Oil
• Andouille Sausages
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato Paste
• Creole Seasoning
• Salt and Pepper
• Onions, Bell Pepper, Celery
• Bay leaves
• Worcestershire Sauce
• Chicken Stock
• Long grain rice

See the recipe card for quantities. And check out the video for a visual.

How to Make Instant Pot Jambalaya

The recipe for Jambalaya is so easy. And, making them in the Instant Pot makes it easier.

Step 1: Sauté Andouille Sausages

Put your Instant Pot to sauté mode and sauté sausages for 2-3 minutes until they turn brown.

Step 2: Add tomato and seasoning

Add diced tomato, tomato paste, creole seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes become soft.

Step 3: Add veggies

Add chopped onions, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add minced garlic and sauté for another 1-minute.

Step 4: Add rice and cook

Add Bay leaves, Low Sodium Chicken Stock, Worcestershire Sauce, and Long grain rice. Toss lightly. Cover Instant Pot with a lid. Manual/Pressure cook for 8-minutes on High Pressure. After that, release pressure naturally for 5-minutes. Then do a quick pressure release and open the lid.

Step 5: Add shrimps and cook

Finally, add shrimps and toss lightly. Cover the lid and let shrimp cook in the steam for about 5-7 minutes. After 5-7 minutes open the lid and toss lightly. Garnish and serve with fresh chopped parsley.

Hint: Make sure you scrape any brown bits in the bottom of the pan while sautèing sausages or else your Instant Pot will show a "food burn" message.

do you cook shrimp before adding to jambalaya?

No. Shrimp cooks in an instant. And, since we are making this recipe in our Instant Pot, therefore, I refrain from cooking the shrimp before. I like to cook my shrimp at last especially when making it in the Instant Pot.

Love Andouille Sausages? More Andouille Sausages Recipes

• Slow Cooker Baked Beans
• Crockpot Shrimp Boil
• Smoked Sausage with Rice
• Cheesy Sausage Gnocchi
• One Pot Italian Sausage Pasta
• Sausage and Cheese Balls
• Velveeta Sausage Dip

Substitutions

Keto and Low Carb Jambalaya -

To make it Keto and Low Carb you can replace Long grain rice with Cauliflower rice. Cauliflower rice Jambalaya tastes really good.

Variations

Cayenne Pepper - If you want to make it spicy go ahead and add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Feeling frisky? Add another teaspoon of cayenne pepper!

Dried Basil - Since I am using diced tomatoes with seasoning, I didn't feel the need to add dried basil.

Traditional Cast-Iron Jambalaya

If you feel like you got to make Jambalaya in the traditional way, then feel free to make Jambalaya in a Cast-Iron Skillet.

Traditionally Jambalaya used to be made in a Cast-iron skillet. This is anyway a one-pot recipe. All you have to do is simply dump everything in the Instant Pot.

Storage

Jambalaya can be easily stored in the refrigerator for about a week and in the freezer for about a month.

But, it needs to be stored appropriately.

Make sure you cool it down to room temperature and then transfer it to an Air-tight container. Refrigerate for a week or freeze for 2-3 months.

Reheat: Reheat your Jambalaya in the oven or in a hot skillet. If you've frozen your Jambalaya then allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before warming it up in the oven.

Can I use Brown Rice?

Yes, you definitely can use Brown rice to make Instant Pot Jambalaya. It is a healthier alternative to regular white rice.

Can I make Jambalaya without rice?

Yes, you can. Just replace regular long-grain white rice with cauliflower rice. It is a healthier choice and also a low-carb version of the same recipe.

Can I make Vegetarian Jambalaya?

Yes, you can make Vegetarian Jambalaya in your Instant Pot. Just leave out Andouille sausages, chicken, or shrimp. Instead of that use Vegetarian Mexican Chipotle sausages or vegan chorizo.

More Instant Pot recipes

BBQ Chicken in Instant Pot (Pulled Chicken)

Instant Pot Coconut Chicken Curry (KETO)

Smoked Sausage with Rice - Instant Pot / Slow Cooker

Coconut Rice Recipe {Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker}

Instant Pot Salsa Chicken

Instant Pot Shredded Hawaiian Chicken Tacos

if you are making this recipe then please leave a rating below. Also, take a snap and share it on Instagram with #recipemagik. Tag me @recipemagik so that I can see how this turned out.

Recipe Card