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    Home > Recipes > Main Dishes

    Vegan Jambalaya

    Published: Jan 19, 2020 · Modified: Oct 8, 2022 by Iosune · This post may contain affiliate links · 397 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A picture of a dish of vegan jambalaya with the words vegan jambalaya

    This simple vegan jambalaya is a super tasty, satisfying and nutritious vegan recipe, and a delicious dinner dish made with beans instead of meat.

    Picture of a dish with homemade vegan jambalaya topped with chopped parsley

    Jambalaya is a dish from Lousiana, which has its origins in the Spanish and French cuisines, especially in the Spanish dish paella and jambalaia, a French dish from Provence.

    Classic recipe is not vegan and is made with some meat or seafood, veggies, and rice, but I've made a plant-based version using chickpeas and beans instead of an animal-based protein.

    It's a super nutritious dish because it contains vegetables, protein (legumes), and a healthy source carbohydrates (rice), and also so tasty because of the spices I've used.

    I used to sautée my veggies in water and then I added tahini along with the legumes, but I prefer to sautée my veggies in oil now and I also omit the tahini. Both versions are so good, so make the one you prefer!

    How to make vegan jambalaya – Step by step

    Step by step photos of how to make vegan jambalaya
    • Add the oil to a skillet or large pot and when it's hot add the veggies and cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes (photo 1).
    • Add the crushed tomatoes and cook another 5 minutes (photo 2).
    • Add the tamari or soy sauce and the spices and stir (photo 3).
    • Then add the rice and the water or vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Cook over medium-high heat for 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked (photo 4).
    • Add the chickpeas and beans, stir and cook 1-2 minutes more (photo 5).
    • Serve the rice (photo 6) with some chopped fresh parsley on top (optional).

    Pro tips

    • Oil is optional, you can sautée the veggies in some water or vegetable stock, and then add 2 tablespoon of tahini if you want when you add the legumes (step 4).
    • Use any veggies, spices or legumes you like.
    • Feel free to use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomatoes. If the rice is too dry, add more liquid (water or vegetable stock).
    • Add salt instead of the tamari or soy sauce if you don't eat soy.
    • The classic recipe is made with long grain rice, but I used what I had on hand. Use any type of rice you prefer.
    Photo of a skilet with cooked vegan jambalaya

    Do you cook rice before adding to vegan jambalaya

    No, I don't, but you could if you want or you could also use leftover rice. In that case, just omit the water or vegetable stock and add more oil or tahini if needed.

    What is served with vegan jambalaya?

    You could eat it by itself as it includes veggies, carbs, and protein, but here are some side dishes that pair very well with jambalaya:

    • Vegan Cornbread
    • Sautéed Kale
    • Garlic Bread
    • Vegan 7-Layer Salad

    Looking for more vegan rice recipes?

    • Brown Rice Stir Fry with Vegetables
    • Vegan Fried Rice
    • Vegan Red Beans and Rice
    • Vegan Mushroom Risotto
    • Garden Vegetable Rice
    An overhead shot of a dish with vegan jambalaya and garnished with parsley

    Did you make this vegan jambalaya recipe?

    Please leave a comment below, share it or rate it. You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST. I’d love to see what you cook!

    📖 Recipe

    A square picture of a dish of vegan jambalaya

    Vegan Jambalaya

    This simple vegan jambalaya is a super tasty, satisfying and nutritious vegan recipe, and a delicious dinner dish made with beans instead of meat.
    4.79 from 146 votes
    PRINT PIN RATE
    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Vegan
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Author: Iosune


    Ingredients 

    US Customary - Metric
    • 1-2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
    • ½ onion, chopped
    • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
    • ½ red bell pepper, chopped
    • ½ green bell pepper, chopped
    • 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
    • 1 14-ounce can of crushed tomatoes
    • 2 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
    • 2 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • â…› teaspoon ground black pepper
    • â…› teaspoon cayenne powder
    • 1 cup uncooked rice, I used short grain white rice
    • 3 cups water or vegetable stock
    • 1 cup canned or cooked chickpeas
    • 1 cup canned or cooked kidney beans
    • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish, optional
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Add the oil to a skillet or large pot and when it's hot add the veggies and cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
    • Add the crushed tomatoes and cook another 5 minutes.
    • Add the tamari or soy sauce and the spices and stir. Then add the rice and the water or vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Cook over medium-high heat for 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked.
    • Add the chickpeas and beans, stir and cook 1 to 2 minutes more.
    • Serve with some chopped fresh parsley on top (optional).
    • Keepleftovers in the fridge in a sealed container for 5-7 days.

    Notes

    • Oil is optional, you can sautée the veggies in some water or vegetable stock, and then add 2 tablespoon of tahini if you want when you add the legumes (step 4).
    • Use any veggies, spices or legumes you like.
    • Feel free to use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomatoes. If the rice is too dry, add more liquid (water or vegetable stock).
    • Add salt instead of the tamari or soy sauce if you don't eat soy.
    • The classic recipe is made with long grain rice, but I used what I had on hand. Use any type of rice you prefer.
    • Nutritional info has been calculate by using 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and water instead or vegetable stock.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 197kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 6.5g | Fat: 2.7g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 472mg | Fiber: 5.4g | Sugar: 2.3g
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Update Notes: This post was originally published in September of 2017, but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions and tips in January of 2020.

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    38.6K shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sam says

      September 14, 2022 at 2:37 am

      5 stars
      Hits the spot every time! Delicious, hearty, and simple to make! I’ve been referencing this specific recipe for two years!

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        September 14, 2022 at 9:54 am

        Hi Sam! Thanks for your kind comment 🙂

        Reply
    2. Tiffany says

      April 02, 2022 at 4:54 am

      5 stars
      One of my new favorite dinner recipes! Tastes so good 🥰

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        April 04, 2022 at 11:24 am

        Hi Tiffany! I'm so glad you liked it 🙂

        Reply
    3. Corey Winter says

      March 16, 2022 at 9:38 pm

      5 stars
      I love this recipe and make it several times a month. For my nonvegan family members, I separately sautee shrimp dusted with cajun spices and grilled turkey kielbasa. Everyone loves it.

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        March 18, 2022 at 10:13 am

        Hi Corey! So glad you all liked it 🙂

        Reply
    4. Tara says

      March 02, 2022 at 1:15 pm

      5 stars
      This came out great, just like the picture and tastes great.

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        March 04, 2022 at 11:34 am

        Hi Tara! Thank you so much 🙂

        Reply
    5. Lauren says

      February 04, 2022 at 11:50 pm

      Hi! Do you think I can use brown basmati rice in this?

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        February 07, 2022 at 11:23 am

        Hi Lauren! Feel free to use brown basmati rice 🙂

        Reply
    6. Ruby W says

      January 25, 2022 at 3:48 am

      5 stars
      Amazing recipe! It's been a go-to of mine for years now. Never gets old. So simple and makes plenty.

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        January 26, 2022 at 10:11 am

        Hi Ruby! Thanks for your kind comment 🙂

        Reply
    7. Lyd says

      January 04, 2022 at 3:10 pm

      5 stars
      Made this so many times now and I love it! One of my go-to meals that really helped me get more into vegan cooking. Thanks 🙂

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        January 07, 2022 at 11:49 am

        Hi! Thanks for your kind comment 🙂

        Reply
    8. Nicole says

      November 14, 2021 at 12:29 am

      4 stars
      First time making true jambalaya, with the rice cooked in it. Normally I make rice on the side but thought I'd give it a try. The taste was really good, but mine definitely didn't look like the picture. A little more mushy than fluffy rice. I even used a little less liquid than it called for because I thought it seemed like a lot. Not sure what I should have done differently but still good.

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        November 15, 2021 at 10:41 am

        Hi Nicole! Thanks for your kind comment 🙂 Don't know what could have happened but I'm glad you liked it!

        Reply
    9. Melissa M Lloyd says

      September 21, 2021 at 2:14 am

      Do you think this would work with already cooked rice?

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        September 22, 2021 at 2:33 pm

        Hi Melissa! I'm sure yes 🙂

        Reply
    10. Nancy Steed says

      September 16, 2021 at 3:19 am

      Make this all the time! It's my go to when I'm in a pinch. No green pepper? I add Jalapeño(seeds removed). Top notch!

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        September 16, 2021 at 10:28 am

        Hi! Sounds so good with Jalapeño 🙂

        Reply
    11. PrncsDi says

      August 23, 2021 at 5:11 am

      5 stars
      This is delicious! I'm trying to find vegan recipes to replace so much meat in my diet. I'm putting this in the rotation. I made it exactly as written & made it my own by sprinkling tony chachere creole seasoning on the finished product, to taste. Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        August 24, 2021 at 3:50 pm

        Thanks for your kind comment 🙂

        Reply
    12. Renae says

      August 21, 2021 at 12:20 pm

      5 stars
      This was brilliant! I only used a tiny shake of cayenne because kids. Definitely going in my regular week night rotation!
      For the meat eaters in the house I was able to make some cajun spice rubbed oven baked chicken breast and slice it up and add into their bowls, keeping everyone happy 🙂

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        August 24, 2021 at 3:34 pm

        Hi Renae! I'm glad you like our vegan jambalaya recipe 🙂

        Reply
    13. SYLVIA CORRIN says

      June 19, 2021 at 7:10 pm

      5 stars
      Made this today for the family it is delicious. Full of flavour as well as texture. Will be making this again for sure. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        June 21, 2021 at 10:30 am

        Hi Sylvia! I'm so glad you liked it 🙂

        Reply
    14. Julia says

      June 14, 2021 at 2:09 am

      We usually prefer brown rice over white. Has anyone tried to sub brown rice for the white? If so, what adjustments did you make? Thanks.

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        June 14, 2021 at 10:16 am

        Hi! I haven't tried it myself but I think it would work! I would use 150 g, approx. 🙂

        Reply
    15. Laura says

      June 07, 2021 at 8:42 pm

      5 stars
      One of my family’s favs! Make using vegan sausage to take it to the next level and corn bread on the side. We’ve made this many times and will continue to. Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        June 09, 2021 at 10:18 am

        Hi! I'm so glad you liked it 🙂

        Reply
    16. Joyce N. Petry says

      June 06, 2021 at 8:26 pm

      Just made your Vegan Jambalaya. It was sooo delicious. Will make it often.

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        June 09, 2021 at 10:12 am

        Hi! I'm so glad you liked it 🙂

        Reply
    17. Cara says

      May 17, 2021 at 12:25 am

      Hi Losune:
      I made your Vegan Jambalaya tonite. It is delicious! I just picked out more recipes of yours to try. I am definitely making the Jambalaya again. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Iosune Robles says

        May 17, 2021 at 9:47 am

        So glad you liked it 🙂

        Reply
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