Jambalaya is an amazing and truly authentic Cajun meal that’s packed with flavor from the unique combination of meat, veggies, and spices. I love making it at the start of a long weekend – it makes for a great dinner Friday night, then an easy lunch on Saturday. But what goes with Jambalaya?
Finding the ideal side dish is a bit of a tricky one for jambalaya since the stew-style dish can be eaten in a few different ways. I’ve made a short list of some of my favorite side dishes to serve with jambalaya.
What sides go with jambalaya?
Here are some super yummy side dishes you can serve with Jambalaya!
Salad
Salad is the thing that I most commonly opt for when I’m not sure what to make for a side dish. It’s a simple, refreshing option that’s sure to go down well.
The reason I would especially recommend it for serving alongside jambalaya is that jambalaya contains a lot of spicy, salty proteins. A refreshing, light salad is a great way to counter that.
When I make a simple side salad, I always tell myself to remember to keep it simple. My go-to combination is: spinach, diced bell pepper, pine nuts, and diced cucumber. Toss those together with a splash of olive oil, and it’s a tasty salad in no time!
Corn on the cob
Corn on the cob is usually reserved for barbecues, but I think it should be a side for loads of different dishes! It’s so good, from the texture of the corn to the sweetness of the kernels. What’s not to love?
For an interesting twist, try adding a sprinkling of mint to the butter before you add a few scoops on top: it’s a fantastic flavor that’s hard to forget.
Cornbread
Cornbread is probably the most common side dish for jambalaya – the sweet, rich, buttery treat is a delight even when on its own. When it’s combined with sharp, hot jambalaya, though, it forms tasty little nuggets of delight!
I’d recommend serving cornbread warm, either fresh from the oven or after giving it a blast of reheating in the microwave. Make sure to add a little butter to your cornbread – everyone loves that!
Cheddar biscuits
Biscuits are a wonderfully southern treat, and they represent something that I really love in cooking – they look a little odd, but they taste heavenly! I adore food that looks a little ugly but tastes great: the flavor speaks for itself.
Cheddar biscuits work really well with jambalaya since the creaminess is so different from the hot saltiness of jambalaya. The combination is tasty and interesting with every bite!
Corn Maque Choux
If you love veggies but don’t really feel like a salad, corn maque choux is something that you surely love. It’s a basic corn salad, really, but it’s boosted with red and green bell peppers, sweet onion, and a little garlic.
These ingredients mean that corn maque choux is powerful and punchy in an utterly different way to your jambalaya – it’s a simple and tasty side dish that you could make in advance.
Other side dishes that go with Jambalaya
- Creamed collard greens
- French bread rolls
- Bread pudding
- Savory crepes
- Cucumber tomato salad
- Grilled oysters
- Sweet potato salad
- Hush puppies
- Garlic bread
- Green beans
- Baked macaroni and cheese
- Corn bread
- Okra
- Brussel sprouts
- Southern black-eyed peas
Where does jambalaya come from?
Jambalaya is a dish that comes from Southern Louisiana, likely first made there at some point in the eighteenth century. There are a lot of different variations on the classic theme, but cooks generally agree that a standard jambalaya should contain rice, protein, veggies, and spices.
Jambalaya is actually quite interesting, in terms of history. The majority of the history of the dish can be traced back to French Africa, where people would have learned to cook with French techniques and African ingredients.
The slave trade forced African people to the Southern US, and when they were eventually freed, they cooked a lot of the French African dishes from their home.
These French African influences were combined with Spanish rice-cooking techniques to create this dish!
It’s cooked in a French style with a mirepoix of seasoning vegetables, it’s packed with African-style spices such as paprika and cayenne pepper, and the cooking style is remarkably Spanish, with high-quality rice soaking up flavor and adding texture over time.
What To Serve With Jambalaya? 20 Best Side Dishes
Ingredients
- Salad
- Corn on the cob
- Cornbread
- Cheddar biscuits
- Corn Maque Choux
- Creamed collard greens
- French bread rolls
- Bread pudding
- Savory crepes
- Cucumber tomato salad
- Grilled oysters
- Sweet potato salad
- Hush puppies
- Garlic bread
- Green beans
- Baked macaroni and cheese
- Okra
- Brussel sprouts
- Banana foster
- Southern black-eyed peas
Instructions
- Choose one of your favorite side dishes from the list above
- Prepare the ingredients and get cooking!
- Serve your side dish with Jambalaya, and enjoy : )
FAQ
What kind of bread do you eat with jambalaya?
The most common kind of bread for eating jambalaya is probably cornbread. The two dishes are from the same region of the world, and cornbread’s simple flavor and absorbent texture make it ideal for pairing with jambalaya.
Always remember – leave a little cornbread on the side of your plate until you’ve only got a few dregs of sauce left. It will soak up the sauce, and give you a delightful final mouthful!
What dessert goes well with jambalaya?
Well, jambalaya is a dish that doesn’t hold anything back, either in terms of flavor or in terms of density. This means that after you’ve had your jambalaya, you’ll likely be very full, and just a little overwhelmed by the intense flavors.
So I would try to think of something light that has flavors that utterly contrast with the jambalaya itself. This could be a few things, but sorbet is the first option that comes to mind – that might be because I’m a frozen treat lover!
Mango sorbet is my personal favorite, but you could track down any flavor that you might prefer to go with your jambalaya. I would suggest going for a fruity flavor rather than a chocolate one, though – the fruit will be lighter and easier to stomach after a big meal.
Do you serve jambalaya in a bowl or on a plate?
You can serve jambalaya however you might like since the consistency can vary from recipe to recipe. If your jambalaya is a little looser, serving it in a bowl is probably the best choice. If your food is a little thicker, a plate may be a better option for you.
Wrapping it up!
Jambalaya is a dish that everyone should make at least once – it combines a range of different comfort foods into a delicious and decadent bowl. Try making it soon!