Jambalaya

It’s always a delight when a dish has a name that perfectly captures its character, and jambalaya is most certainly one of those dishes. Even beyond its inherent musicality (it’s as fun to say as it is to eat), the term jamabalaya is largely thought to be derived from the Provençal word “jambalaia,” meaning “jumble” or “mish-mash,” referring to the mix of ingredients used in its preparation. And wouldn’t you know it, jambalaya is itself a culinary jumble, an ebulliently eclectic mix of West African, Spanish, and French influences—much like the city of New Orleans itself! You can taste each of these influences in every forkful of Trader Joe’s Jambalaya, our easy-to-prep version of this iconic (and aptly-named) Louisiana treat.

Our Jambalaya starts with a base of captivatingly aromatic, savory-seasoned, long-grained white rice, along with diced onion, tomato, green bell pepper, and green onion, and finishes with slices of spicy, smoky, uncured Andouille sausage. It takes only a few minutes on the stovetop or in the microwave to become steamy, satisfying, and ready to serve as an entrée or side dish. We recommend enjoying this Jambalaya alongside a leafy green salad or crisp Haricots Verts, or topped with a similarly NOLA-inspired protein, like barbecued shrimp or blackened Chicken Breast.