Shrimp Jambalaya

Shrimp Jambalaya
Total Time
About 1 hour
Rating
4(708)
Notes
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This relaxed take on the popular New Orleans shrimp stew comes together in about an hour, so you can get a taste of the Big Easy on a weeknight. Just make a quick slurry of onion, bell pepper, ham, parboiled rice, garlic, cayenne, thyme and tomatoes. Let it simmer until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Stir in the shrimp, cook for a few minutes, and voila. You're done, cher. Just don't forget to season well with salt and pepper and taste as you go.

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Ingredients

Yield:6 to 8 servings
  • ¼cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2cups diced onions
  • 2cups diced bell pepper, preferably red or yellow
  • ½cup chopped ham (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1½ to 2cups parboiled long-grain brown rice (see recipe)
  • 2tablespoons chopped garlic
  • ½teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
  • Several sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2cups peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes (canned are fine; drain first)
  • 3 to 4cups shrimp stock, other stock or water
  • 2pounds shrimp, peeled (and deveined, if you like) and cut into pieces if very large
  • ½cup chopped fresh parsley leaves or sliced scallions (or both), for garnish.
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

396 calories; 12 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 7 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 41 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 5 grams sugars; 32 grams protein; 933 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put olive oil in a medium casserole over medium heat. Add onions, bell pepper and ham, if using. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions soften and everything begins to brown, about 10 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Add rice, garlic, cayenne and thyme, and stir for about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes, or until tomatoes begin to break up.

  3. Step 3

    Stir in stock. Bring to a boil, turn heat to medium and cook, uncovered, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender, adding liquid if necessary. Rice should be tender, not soupy.

  4. Step 4

    Add shrimp and stir with a fork. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, then cover and let rest for 10 to 20 minutes. Garnish as you like and serve.

Ratings

4 out of 5
708 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

"Bring to a boil, turn heat to medium and cook, uncovered, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender" I have found that putting the rice on a very low flame, covering, and not lifting the cover, the rice is done perfectly in about 14 or 15 minutes. Also, rinse the rice beforehand to ge rid of surface starch

Andouille sausage adds depth of flavor, and so does caramelizing the onions in butter. Otherwise, this is an easy peasy, delicious weekday treat on a winter evening!

Less stock or more rice

Lacks flavor. Brown the veg more, Add ham or sausage.

Less stock or more rice, also would be good with sausage

This was very good. I substituted andouille for the ham, increased the rice to 1.75 cups (given the amount of broth indicated), and added a few dashes of cayenne. Will definitely make this again.

I halved the recipe and used white rice without parboiling and added chicken andouille sausage instead of ham. Kept adding shrimp stock as needed until rice was done. Great flavors and very easy!

I used this recipe as a framework; basically I had most of the ingredients already prepared and in the fridge as leftovers. I sauteed onion and green pepper, added the garlic and seasonings. Added already grilled hot and regular sausage, then rice and a can of diced tomatoes, added shrimp for the last few minutes to warm up. The cooked shrimp had been purchased on sale and frozen . I know it wasn't a "fresh" meal, but it was tasty, easily assembled and used up things I already had on hand.

liked this used anduile sausage instead of ham -gave some good flavors

I wanted to try this recipe but sent out for ham in the process of cooking only to find there was no ham. So I used what I could find with the shrimp and that was one hot sausage and a haddock filet. I put it in last, frozen, turned the heat way down until it thawed and flaked. it was super delicious! it got even better for supper later. t. I

Learned this recipe from creole cooks on a Gulf tanker I served on in early 70s. Absolutely use shrimp shells to make a bisque instead of using a store-bought stock. Most of the recipe is fine. But please use andouille sausage, browned with the meats and aromatics--ham shank rather than chopped ham, if possible for subtle, smokey ambiance. The shrimp should be added no sooner than about 20 minutes before serving. Key, as well, is give the dish time to cook slowly; low heat not medium.

I love this recipe. I toss in a sausage for the ham. I use 1c of rice instead of 1.5 and it’s great. I love the flavors and the quickness !!! My East Texas husband loves it too

I served this with boudin and cornbread (also Mark Bittmans recipe!!!) . If you can’t get boudin I bet any good sausage would do!

5 stars with: 1.5 C rinsed basmati rice, I used ham, sauté with LOTS of garlic, 1 tbsp paprika, 1/2 tbsp smoked paprika, cayenne to your heat preference, fresh and extra powdered thyme, 2 tsp each oregano, garlic and onion powders. 1 cop 1/2’d Cherry tomatoes plus 1.5 C passata (strained uncooked tomatoes ). 3-4 C box seafood broth, 2 bags Aldi defrosted shellfish mix, 6 oz cod. Add broth as rice cooks so it’s neither soupy or too thick. Generous salt and black pepper. Absolutely terrific.

We made as directed but with half shrimp/half sausage and used veggie stock because we couldn't find any shrimp stock. It was great but you need MUCH more spice (even if you aren't someone who likes things very hot)

This was a delicious, easy recipe. I substituted andouille sausage for the ham because we love spicier food.

Jambalaya needs a hit of creole seasoning— not just cayenne. I like Emeril Lagassse’s version. Recipe on the web.

Small detail - I recommend a large deep frying pan - it's too big in anythiing medium. I went with 3 cups stock, any more would have been soupy.

Great quick recipe. Made a few modifications based on personal preferences. Used 2 links chopped CHORIZO, hot link. It's much lower in sodium than other sausages, and basmati rice. One cup basmati (pre rinse essential), 2 cups chicken stock, kept lid on. Added about 1 lb whole peeled jumbo shrimp, added about 1/2 cup chicken stock, stirred a bit, then took off heat with lid on for about 10 min. I'm sure shrimp stock would be great, just didn't have and didn't want to make.

Will definitely make this again, probably for Christmas Eve. I’m think that one could make the base but wait until shortly before serving before adding the rice, then the shrimp. Any thoughts from my cooking comrades?

I halved the recipe and used white rice without parboiling and added chicken andouille sausage instead of ham. Kept adding shrimp stock as needed until rice was done. Great flavors and very easy!

Very straightforward recipe. Made a few changes, I did use the shrimp stock as suggested...very tasty, but only used 3.5 cups of the broth, which kept it from getting too soupy. I also added 2 lb. chicken breast and chorizo sausage, browning the chorizo in a skillet to put some char on it. Next I browned the chicken in the skillet with the sausage, to amp up the chickens flavor. Then since I'm in MD I added some Old Bay seasoning which is almost required by state law. Enjoy!

Being a MD boy myself, I like the way you roll! I agree with the chicken and chorizo, although andouille would kick it up a little more, but YES with the Old Bay! Boom!

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