This simple vegan jambalaya is a super tasty, satisfying and nutritious vegan recipe, and a delicious dinner dish made with beans instead of meat.
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
- 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.
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:
Looking for more vegan rice recipes?
- Brown Rice Stir Fry with Vegetables
- Vegan Fried Rice
- Vegan Red Beans and Rice
- Vegan Mushroom Risotto
Did you make this vegan jambalaya recipe?
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Vegan Jambalaya
Ingredients
- 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
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ 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
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
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.
Charlie Power says
I have this meal every week and it has become a staple in my diet! it is so easy to make and it's so tasty!! It definitely helped me transition to a vegan diet! 🙂
Iosune Robles says
Hi Charlie! I'm so glad you liked this Vegan Jambalaya recipe 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
Roman says
Really really delicious recipe Iosune. Thinking to add some vegan sausage, at what point in the recipe would it be best to add it do you think?
Iosune Robles says
Thank you so much Roman! I recommend cooking them separately and adding them in the final step 🙂
Akki Pai says
Made this for dinner tonight and the family loved it. I used whole redd and green peppers as I didn't read the recipe properly. And swapped cayenne for chilli powder for an extra kick. Only thing I would say is the water/stock quantity was too less and it started catching the bottom a bit. Had to add almost twice the quantity listed in the recipe. The taste was still fantastic, so thank you!
Iosune Robles says
Thanks for your kind comment! Have a nice day 🙂
Kellie Macknamara says
My favourite “go to” recipe!! I add a mango, tomato salsa, corn chips and vegan sour cream! Perfect!
Iosune Robles says
Sounds so good! I'm glad you liked it 🙂
Lena says
Nice recipe. I sliced up a couple of spicy Italian vegan sausages and threw them in at the end.
Iosune Robles says
Sounds so good Lena 🙂 Have a nice day!
Maya D. Schimpf says
Absolutely wonderful, and perfect for Fat Tuesday!!! Thank you!
Iosune Robles says
Hi Maya! So glad you liked it 🙂
Ellie says
Absolute hit with everyone even our fussy toddler! Was easy to make it with the veg we had in and will absolutely be doing so again.
Iosune Robles says
Hi Ellie! I'm glad you liked our vegan jambalaya recipe 🙂
Soph says
Easy and delicious!
Iosune Robles says
Thank you so much Soph 🙂
Evie Sier says
do you think this would work with quinoa, rice does not agree with me?
Iosune Robles says
Hi Evie! I think yes 🙂
marleigh says
do cook it covered or not ?
Iosune Robles says
Hi! It is not necessary but feel free to cover it 🙂
Kelsey says
This was super simple and delicious! My dad and I crushed it all in two days! 😝
Iosune Robles says
That's good Kelsey 🙂 I'm glad you both liked it!
Kelly says
Put a splash of red wine in it tonight 😏 it’s superb without but tonight was a little dash of even more delish! Hehe! Thanks for such an amazing website. We have made so many recipes and the full transition to cooking vegan has been a lot easier!
Iosune Robles says
Thanks for your kind comment and words, Kelly! Have a nice day 🙂