This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Instant Pot Shrimp Jambalaya can be ready in minutes for a meal the entire family will go crazy over. It is packed with lots of flavorful shrimp, sausage and more for an amazing meal.
Instant Pot Shrimp Jambalaya
If you are looking for a really easy recipe that is perfect for busy weeknights, Instant Pot Shrimp Jambalaya is a must try! You can get dinner on the table with hardly any effort at all.
Each bite has so much flavor and really makes this jambalaya the best comfort food. The seasoning is perfect with a little bit of heat but not too much.
The entire family will like this meal and the kids will gobble it up too! This recipe will be one that every one in your family will ask for weekly. You may also love this Instant Pot Shrimp Boil.
What is Shrimp Jambalaya?
It is a cross between a soup and a stew and just so yummy. All the flavors blend together and it is so good! It has just the perfect amount of heat but it isnโt too spicy. The entire family loved it and the kids gobbled it up.
Jambalaya is a cajun recipe that originates in Louisiana made with rice, celery, peppers and onions. The traditional meat that is usually added is chicken, sausage, or shrimp.
All these flavors combine make this Instant Pot Shrimp Jambalaya one of my families favorites.
Ingredients for Pressure Cooker Shrimp Jambalaya
- Andouille Sausage
- Cajun Seasoning
- Onion
- Celery
- Red Bell Pepper
- Green Bell Pepper
- Minced Garlic
- Crushed Tomatoes
- Dried Oregano
- Chicken Broth – You can also use Chicken Stock
- Large Shrimp (peeled, deveined with the tails-on or tails-off)
- Rice, Cooked
Everything comes together for a great meal and the instant pot does all the work!
How to make Instant Pot Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya Recipe?
- Combine Ingredients in the Instant Pot – Stir all the ingredients except for the shrimp and the rice in the instant pot. Make sure to add the sausage.
- Cook Ingredients – Add garlic and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Put the instant pot in the sealing position.
- Quick Release Instant Pot – Do a quick release to release the pressure from the Instant Pot after the cook time. Be careful with residual heat when removing the lid. Place lid on paper towels while adding in the shrimp.
- Add in Shrimp and continue cooking – Stir in the shrimp. Seal and cook on high pressure for 1 minute. Do a quick release after this cook time.
- Mix in Cooked Rice – Stir in the cooked rice, serve warm and enjoy.
What to serve with Jambalaya?
- White Rice โ Prepare the white rice and mix it in the jambalaya ingredients.
- Warm Bread โ We also love to serve the jambalaya with warm bread on the side. Grab a loaf from the bakery or make these easy Homemade Dinner Rolls. You will want something to dip in the jambalaya and get very last drop.
- No Rice Option โ If you are watching your carbs, try Instant Pot Jambalaya no rice recipe. It is just as good and you really donโt have to serve with rice.
- Cauliflower Rice โ Another idea is Crock Pot jambalaya cauliflower rice. This is really tasty and easy if you are eating low carb. But still want the texture of rice in a meal.
- See What to Serve with Jambalaya for more ideas
What rice is best for Jambalaya?
We recommend using long grain white rice to mix in the Jambalaya. White rice is firm, fluffy texture that combines well with the ingredients in Jambalaya. Long Grain rice includes Basmati and Jasmine rice, which are my recommended rice.
Long Grain rice is full of nutrient’s and vitamins and folic acid which makes these rice naturally gluten free.
Variation Ideas:
- Spicy Jambalaya โ Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper
- Add Chicken โ Add Chicken to the Shrimp and Sausage or substitute the shrimp for the chicken.
- Mix in Vegetables โ You can add in carrots, broccoli, corn, green beans or cauliflower to the Jambalaya. Add in some diced tomatoes for that extra tomato flavor.
- Make if Vegetarian โ Eliminate the sausage and add more shrimp or vegetable broth.
- Plant Base Jambalaya – You can use Plant Base sausage and add to the jambalaya.
- Bay Leaves – You can add in bay leaves if you prefer.
Instant Pot Shrimp Jambalaya Tips:
- Sausage โ When making any type of jambalaya sausage is always part of the ingredients. We like to get good quality sausage to really enhance the flavors. Thinly slice the sausage and you can also saute the sausage in olive oil before adding to the jambalaya.
- Seasoning โ Make sure you add plenty of seasoning especially if you are serving it with rice.
- Garnish your jambalaya โ Add some green onions or chopped parsley for some added flavoring.
- Rice โ You can use instant rice or long grain rice to mix into the jambalaya. Make sure it is cooked before adding.
- Vegetables โ When selecting vegetables, make sure to add vegetables that cook about the same time.
- Cooking Meat โ If you prefer, you can cook the meat prior to adding to the Instant Pot to lock in the juices.
- Shrimp โ If adding in shrimp to your Jambalaya, make sure to use jumbo shrimp. Shrimp doesnโt take long to cook so make sure you are not overcooking the shrimp.
Is there a difference between Jambalaya and Gumbo?
Jambalaya and Gumbo dishes are both very popular in the Louisiana area. They are different and the way they are cooked is different also. They can be prepared with cajun or creole seasoning.
Jambalaya is more of a rice dish and gumbo is more of a stew type dish. But their ingredients are similar. They usually both include bell peppers, onion and celery. They type of meat that is usually used is shrimp and sausage slices.
Instant Pot Recommendations:
I am using an 8 quart Instant pot but you can use a 6 quart. Pressure cooking has been a game changer for my family.
You can find the Instant pot on sale here. Itโs really changed dinner time around here.
Can I make Crock Pot Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya?
Crock Pot Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya is a great way to slow cook all the jambalaya ingredients. It cooks on low for 3 hours and then you add in the shrimp and rice.
This combines the flavors and you come home to dinner done and your house smelling amazing.
How to Store Jambalaya:
Store your leftover Chicken Jambalaya in an air tight container. Place container in the refrigerator and serve within 3 to 4 days.
You can also freeze your leftovers. Place the jambalaya in a freezer safe container and freeze. It will stay good for up to 6 months.
We think this chicken and shrimp jambalaya is actually better the next day. All the ingredients marinate together overnight to make it even better.
How to Reheat:
To reheat leftover jambalaya, we recommend placing it in a sauce pan for about 15 minutes. This allows the jambalaya to heat thorough. You can reheat in the microwave, but this take longer and you get hot spots throughout the meal.
If you are taking Jambalaya for lunch the next day, store in a microwave safe container so it is easy to reheat.
Print this Instant Pot Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya recipe below:
Instant Pot Shrimp and Sausage Jambalaya Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound Andouille Sausageย (sliced into 1 inch pieces)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (14.5 oz can)
- 1/2 onion (diced into small pieces)
- 2 stalks celery (sliced)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced into large pieces)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced into large pieces)
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 pound peeled and deveined raw large shrimp (tails on or tails off)
- 3 cups white rice (cooked)
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients except for the shrimp and rice in the instant pot. Stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Add the lid and set the valve to sealing position.
- Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes.
- Do a quick release to release the pressure and remove the lid.
- Stir in the shrimp. Seal and cook on high pressure for 1 minutes. Do another quick release to release the pressure from the instant pot.
- Stir in the cooked rice, serve warm and enjoy!
Jambalaya is not a gravy. You cook the rice with the broth and it soaks up the broth.
Diane – Here is a link to the slow cooker option for this recipe. I hope you enjoy it ๐
https://www.eatingonadime.com/lazy-day-crock-pot-lasagna-recipe/
Would like the recipe for slow cooker. Do not have instant pot.
Thanks.