Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Jambalaya

Pressure cooker jambalaya never been easier! Using sausage with a bit of a kick you can easily throw this all together and dinner is done in just 20 minutes. It’s gluten free too!

I found this amazing sausage and fresh bell peppers at the store and I immediately thought I’d try pressure cooker jambalaya! It came out so yummy we made it two nights in a row! Packed with flavor, and a little heat, we hope your family enjoys it as much as we have. Added to our long list of easy Instant Pot recipes for you to enjoy. Special thanks goes out to Albertsons for sponsoring this post. (originally published 3/19, affiliate links present)

When I think of this dish I think of the time I spent in Louisiana.

• I made it with a mild/medium heat level but you’re free to make your pressure cooker jambalaya as spicy as you’d like!

We used the most amazing hatch chili sausages found at the new Albertsons Market Street here in Meridian, Idaho. Delicious doesn’t even begin to describe them. You’ll just have to taste some yourself! 

You’ll want to start with 2-3 uncooked sausage links like you see here. You can find a huge variety at this store. You’re even able to have them create custom sausage links with any variety of meats you’d like! If you live in the area you truly will be amazed when you walk inside, sausage is just one of their specialties.

The largest Albertsons in the world in Meridian, Idaho features:

• A store that is 100,000 square feet!
• In-store made tortillas
• Fresh house-made mozzarella
• A live lobster tank & huge fish market
• Oyster bar
• Full-service bistro and bar
• Talon Tap and Spirits with an impressive list of beer, wine and liquor
• One of the largest in-store Starbucks I’ve ever seen
• And lots more……

Ingredients needed to make this pressure cooker jambalaya:

1. Electric pressure cooker
   1. I HIGHLY suggest you get a non stick pot if you have an Instant Pot
   2. You can definitely use your Crock Pot Express or Ninja Foodi too
2. Olive oil
3. Sausage links
   1. Could substitute diced chicken breasts if you preferred
4. Beef broth
5. Rice – uncooked long grain white rice
   1. I have not used brown rice and cooking time would vary.
6. Diced tomatoes
7. Spaghetti sauce or tomato sauce – we prefer spaghetti sauce (just a bit)
8. Bell peppers
9. Onion and garlic could be added too
10. Tons of seasoning, thyme, etc
    1. Cajun seasoning could be added for extra heat if desired

• Half a green AND yellow bell pepper were what we used. It is up to you whether you’d like to use a variety of colors or just one. I personally like lots of color in dishes so this was my preference.
• You can snack on the other halves while you’re cooking too. 😉
• A mixture of chicken and sausage could be used if you wanted, I would just stick with the same weight or there may not be enough liquid to pressure cook correctly.

Here’s a peek at what we grabbed.

To start making Instant Pot jambalaya you’re going to set your pot to saute. Add olive oil, your sliced sausage, or add chicken at this point with your diced veggies. 

• Cook until browned and outsides are no longer pink. At this point the diced bell peppers and onions will have softened.

I add many of my spices during this cooking process too so everything is nicely coated. Your pressure cooker jambalaya is going to start smelling amazing at this point!

• Turn your pot off and deglaze your pot using a bit of your broth
  • Meaning, scrape stuck on meat off the bottom of your pot
• Pour in remaining ingredients EXCEPT for your rice.
• Stir contents together and then sprinkle your rice on to the top.
• Gently submerge your uncooked white rice into the liquid so it is under the surface
  • In the video I stir it in and has worked fine for me but a few (who don’t have the non stick pot) have said the burn notice has appeared on their pot so I suggest this method for everyone just in case.
• Close lid and steam valve and press your rice button
  • If you don’t have this button set to high pressure for 11 minutes
• Allow steam to naturally release for 2 minutes when done so rice puffs up using residual heat in pot.
• Then release pressure that is left, called a quick release
• Fluff up and serve!

What is the difference between gumbo and jambalaya?

Jambalaya is more like paella in a way. It’s really a super flavorful rice dish. Gumbo is usually a thickened stew or soup of sorts, typically using chicken and sausage or seafood, mainly shrimp. They’re both great and I suggest you give them each a whirl. 

Do you cook rice before adding to jambalaya?

• I guess it depends what recipe you’re using and what your preference is.
• Personally I love one pot meals, thus ours has everything cooked together all at once.
• Yes you could cook this separately. Just use our white rice recipe and then make this, this minus that ingredient.

Can you add other meats into your pressure cooker jambalaya too?

• I haven’t done that yet but I imagine you could. I wouldn’t add much more than the equivalent of 3 sausage links or you may need more liquid.
• Next time I plan to make this with sausage and shrimp. I will half the sausage and add 1 cup of frozen mini shrimp which I think would work well. I’ll add details when I do this.
• Choose any style sausage links you like. Just be prepared for the heat if choosing a spicy variety.

Do you need a jambalaya side dish to go with this?

• Personally I say no.
• But if you really must I would pair our black eyed peas recipe which can also be made in a pressure cooker.
• As is I’d say this pressure cooker jambalaya is a perfectly complete meal all unto itself though.

Once you’ve tried this you should try our simple:

1. Pressure cooker sausage and peppers meal is great
   1. We have a ton of other Instant Pot sausage recipes here too
2. Air fryer sausage and potatoes rocks! 
3. Our Instant Pot sausage and rice is cheesy goodness on a fork

Instructions work for either Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, Mealthy or Crock Pot Express machines.

Enjoy our Instant Pot jambalaya my friends!

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4.84 from 6 votes

Pressure Cooker Jambalaya

Pressure cooker jambalaya never been easier! Using sausage with a bit of a kick you can easily throw this all together and dinner is done in just 20 minutes. 

Course Entree, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword casserole, instant pot, jambalaya, ninja foodi, pressure cooker, sausage

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 27 minutes

Servings 6

Calories 288kcal

Author The Typical Mom

Ingredients

• 3 sausage links uncooked, sliced, mild or spicy
• 1 bell pepper we used half green, half red
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion diced
• 1 tbsp garlic minced
• 1/4-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper 1/4 is mild, 1/2 will make it medium heat
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp basil
• 1/4 tsp thyme
• 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz
• 1/2 c spaghetti sauce or tomato sauce
• 1.5 c white rice uncooked, not minute rice
• 1 3/4 c beef broth
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

• Add olive oil, sliced sausage, diced onion and bell peppers as well as minced garlic and cayenne pepper into your pot. Set pot to saute and cook until outside of sausage pieces are cooked. Then turn pot off.
• Add garlic powder, onion powder, basil and thyme and stir together so everything is well coated.
• Pour in can of diced tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, beef broth and salt. Stir together, then sprinkle uncooked rice on top and gently push into liquid so it is submerged. Do not stir as it may cause the burn message to occur on your pot.
• Close lid and steam valve and press rice button (will auto set to 12 minutes). If you don't have a rice button set to high pressure for 11 minutes.
• Allow to naturally release steam for 2 minutes, then do a quick release, stir and serve!

Video

Nutrition Facts

Pressure Cooker Jambalaya

Amount Per Serving (4 oz)

Calories 288 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 7mg2%

Sodium 729mg32%

Potassium 506mg14%

Carbohydrates 46g15%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 980IU20%

Vitamin C 37.5mg45%

Calcium 52mg5%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Great gluten free jambalaya recipe if you’re looking for that!