13 Scrumptious Side Dishes To Serve With Jambalaya

The southern states of America are renowned for both their hospitality and delicious food.

One of the things that makes southern cooking so unique is that it incorporates influences from all over the world.

Jambalaya is a Louisianan dish that combines elements of French, Spanish and African cuisine.

This incredible dish made from shrimp, chicken, rice and Cajun spiced vegetables can be enjoyed alone or with a variety of tasty side dishes.

In this list, we will be taking you through 13 sides you can enjoy alongside jambalaya. 

Quick Table: 13 Scrumptious Side Dishes

1. Corn On The Cob

Any southern style dish can be instantly improved with sweet corn, and there is no better way to enjoy it than straight off the cob.

Corn is equally tasty when eaten alone, with butter or spiced with any of your favorite seasonings. This recipe teaches you to make oven roasted corn on the cob that is flavored with garlic, rosemary, and thyme.

Since it only takes 20 minutes to cook, this is a quick and easy side that you can throw together while you are waiting for your Jambalaya to cook. 

Calories Per Serving: 106

Preparation Time: 20 Min

2. Swiss Chard

Chard is the middle child between spinach and kale, and like it’s two siblings, it is a great way to add some fresh greens into your meal.

This vegetable is not only very easy to prepare, but the leaves are packed with vitamins and minerals. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory, which can help the body to process excess sugars.

Much like spinach or kale, you can sauté chard in a mixture of olive oil and spices to create a crunchy side dish for enjoying with your Jambalaya. 

Calories Per Serving: 35

Preparation Time: 30 Min

3. Salad

Jambalaya is often cooked in a single large pot, so all the ingredients can be infused with the various flavors.

With all the shrimp, chicken and sauce in this meal, a freshly chopped salad can be a great way to clear your palate.

While you are waiting for your Jambalaya to cook, you can easily chop up a few spare vegetables to make a tasty salad for accompanying your meal. 

Calories Per Serving: 100

Preparation Time: 50 Min

4. Hush Puppies

It isn’t certain where the name for this southern dish comes from, but one thing that is certain is that they taste amazing.

They are made from deep-fried dough that is flavored with paprika, garlic and onions.

The best thing about this side is that it only takes 20 minutes to prepare and cook. Just make sure you don’t start making them too early, as they are so irresistible you may have trouble saving them for your jambalaya. 

Calories Per Serving: 337

Preparation Time: 45Min

5. Okra 

If you haven’t heard about Okra before, it is a plant that originated in Africa but has found its way into Asian, Creole and Caribbean cooking. These crunchy seed pods make a sumptuous side when sautéed in avocado oil and spices.

Since they are quite crispy, they are a great choice for adding some bite to your jambalaya. For the best results, you will want to buy Okra that has a bright green color with white seeds on the inside.

Calories Per Serving: 33

Preparation Time: 60 Min

RELATED: 16 Best Side Dishes For Chicken Tenders

6. Cornbread

Cornbread is a traditional southern recipe that goes amazingly with a variety of sweet and savory dishes.

The moist, spongy center of this dish is perfect for mopping up the excess sauce from your jambalaya. It is also moist, very easy to make, and takes only 35 minutes to prepare and cook.

For the best results you can add bacon drippings to your batter which will give your cornbread a delicious smokey flavor. 

Calories Per Serving: 330

Preparation Time: 50 Min

7. Grilled Oysters

Since Jambalaya already contains shrimp and other fish, it makes sense to enjoy it with another seafood side dish.

Grilled oysters make a great choice for this, especially when cooked in a succulent garlic butter.

The acerbic edge offered by the garlic is very good at cutting through the rich sauce of the jambalaya, and you can make grilled oysters in 25 minutes while you wait for the main meal to cook. 

Calories Per Serving: 79

Preparation Time: 20 Min

8. Corn Manque Choux

You may be a bit surprised by all the corn recipes on this list, but it makes sense, seeing as sweetcorn in an integral part of many southern dishes.

It is also very crunchy and sweet, which makes it a great addition to melting pot meals like Jambalaya. This manque choux is a traditional creole sweetcorn salad that contains diced tomatoes, bell peppers and cream.

You can make it in just about 30 minutes, and this tasty side dish is an excellent addition to any Louisianan dinner. 

Calories Per Serving: 242

Preparation Time: 30 Min

9. Seasoned Rice 

Rice is already the main substrate of any jambalaya, so it makes sense to have a spare bowl of lightly seasoned, plain rice for a side dish.

This will help to soak up some of the extra sauce as well as offering a palate cleanser for what is a very rich meal.

The above recipe shows you how to make buttery seasoned rice that is flavored with garlic, paprika, dried parsley and thyme.

Having extra rice is also a great way to make your Jambalaya go further, so you can serve more people. 

Calories Per Serving: 220

Preparation Time: 20 Min

10. Cheddar Biscuits 

These cheesy southern fried biscuits are delicious enough on their own, and they go even better with jambalaya sauce.

You will need to have a lot of baking powder to make sure they rise enough, as well as a splash of buttermilk to achieve the right consistency. If you get them right, they will have a crispy exterior with a moist, cheesy interior.

They are brushed at the end with a glaze made from butter, garlic and parsley. 

Calories Per Serving: 160

Preparation Time: 25 Min

RELATED: 8 Classic Side Dishes You Should Serve With Ravioli

11. Collard Greens

If you are looking for a light and healthy side to enjoy alongside your jambalaya, but want to keep things traditional, then why not try a plate of collard greens.

These leafy vegetables are beautifully crispy and tender, with lots of vitamins and minerals. For an authentic Louisianan taste, you can cook these greens with bacon and pork alongside diced garlic, all of which is sautéed in a rich chicken broth.

To get them just right, you will need to cook these greens in a crock pot for up to 3 hours, so make sure to start them well in advance of your meal. 

Calories Per Serving: 32

Preparation Time: 40 Min

12. Oven Fried Zucchini 

Zucchini is a versatile vegetable that can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. It makes an excellent side for accompanying jambalaya, thanks to its neutral flavor and firm texture.

These oven fried zucchini slices are battered in bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese, which makes them extra crispy. 

Seasoned with cracked black pepper and dried basil, this sumptuous side provides the perfect bit of bite for enhancing the texture of your jambalaya. 

Calories Per Serving: 175

Preparation Time: 50 Min

13. Cucumber Salad

If you are looking for a side dish that is tasty but light on calories, then why not try this creamy cucumber salad.

With thin slices of cucumber covered in sour cream and fresh dill, this salad is a wonderfully refreshing dish for a hot summer’s day.

The white vinegar offers an acidic element that does well as cutting through the rich flavors of a jambalaya.

Cucumber salad only takes 15 minutes to prepare, which means you can whip it up as an instant side just before your main meal has finished cooking. 

Calories Per Serving: 52

Preparation Time: 35 Min

RELATED: What To Eat With Lobster Tails (19 Amazing Side Dishes)

Conclusion

There are few dishes that encapsulate creole cuisine more than Jambalaya. The meal comes from a variety of different cultures, and it really shows in the mix of different flavors that go into this scrumptious melting pot.

If you have all the necessary ingredients, you can easily make your own jambalaya at home.

While you wait for it to cook, you can prepare any of the side on this list for a wholesome, southern meal that offers an explosion of flavor with every bite. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Jambalaya Made From? 

Jambalaya is a traditional creole recipe where all the ingredients are cooked in a single crock pot.

It is made from a mixture of shrimp, chicken and andouille sausage cooked with finely diced vegetables and white rice.

This dish is seasoned with Cajun spices and plenty of herbs to make a succulent meal that is bursting with flavor.  

Where Does Jambalaya Come From? 

Jambalaya originated in southern Louisiana and is an amalgamation of French, Spanish and African cuisine. It was created in the 18th century by Spanish settlers in the city of New Orleans. 

How Is Jambalaya Different From Gumbo? 

Jambalaya and gumbo are two southern dishes that share many of the same ingredients and flavors.

The main difference is how the rice in each dish is prepared. Gumbo is often poured over fresh white rice that has been cooked separately, while the rice in Jambalaya is thrown into the same pot as all the other ingredients. 

13 Scrumptious Side Dishes To Serve With Jambalaya

Enhance your homemade jambalaya with these 13 scrumptious side dishes that pair beautifully with the classic Louisianan dish.

Ingredients

• Corn On The Cob

• Swiss Chard

• Salad

• Hush Puppies

• Okra 

• Cornbread

• Grilled Oysters

• Corn Manque Choux

• Seasoned Rice 

• Cheddar Biscuits 

• Collard Greens

• Oven Fried Zucchini 

• Cucumber Salad 

Directions

• Pick a recipe from the list above
• Click the recipe name and visit the website
• Collect the ingredients and cook the food
• Enjoy – don’t forget to leave a review

Recipe Video

• Author
• Recent Posts

Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!

Latest posts by Jess Smith (see all)

• Top Main Differences Between Tagliatelle And Fettuccine Pasta - March 10, 2023
• The Main Differences Between Red And Green Jalapeno Peppers - March 10, 2023
• Perfect Griddle Cakes To Make Simply Delicious Recipes For The Meal - March 9, 2023