What to Serve with Jambalaya: 17 Satisfying Sides-Simple Green Moms (2024)

Are you trying to decide what to serve with jambalaya? I have 17 amazing side dishes that will make your jambalaya meal truly unforgettable.

Jambalaya is a complex rice dish. It is full of spicy, creole seasonings that make it quite unique. Jambalaya is also full of seafood and tender meats. Crayfish, shrimp, sausage, and chicken are all used in most jambalaya recipes.

In addition to the proteins, jambalaya has lots of fresh veggies cooked along with the rice. Tomatoes, peppers, and celery are just a few of the vegetables you will find on every plate of jambalaya.

With all the interesting flavors in each bite of jambalaya, you may be wondering what to serve with this tasty cajun meal. Here are a few things you should consider when choosing a side dish to go with your jambalaya.

What Goes with Jambalaya?

Since jambalaya already has starch, protein, and vegetables in the main dish, you can technically eat it on its own. Jambalaya is made using the holy trinity of vegetables; onions, bell peppers, and celery. Broth, sausage, and seafood are then mixed in. It already is a very complete meal. However, pairing it with a show-stopping side dish is also a great idea.

Consider what your jambalaya plate is lacking. A sweeter side dish would complement the cajun spices well. A lighter side would also be a good idea since jambalaya can be quite filling. Jambalaya is a traditional southern meal so perhaps you want to stick with southern-inspired sides when deciding what to serve with jambalaya

We have made this extensive list to help you decide the best side dishes to serve with jambalaya. From cornbread to hush puppies, there is something on here for everyone! Take a look, pick your favorite side and then head to the kitchen!

1. Cornbread Muffins

Sweet, soft cornbread muffins are an amazing side to serve with jambalaya. Cornbread is a classic southern food and can be found in many southern-style restaurants. Our muffins are easy to make and very tasty! Cornmeal flour is mixed with melted butter, eggs, and other basic ingredients to make a smooth batter. The muffins cook to golden perfection in just 20 minutes. Try using honey or brown sugar in place of white sugar for a more decadent flavored muffin. Add some whole kernels of corn for a new texture.

2. Cucumber Salad

A creamy cucumber salad is a fantastic side dish to pair with cajun jambalaya. We love this easy recipe from Lemon Tree Dwelling. The salad is made with just seven ingredients that blend together to make a perfect side dish. The cold, sweet taste of the creamy dressing is refreshing after a bite of spicy jambalaya. Make this recipe in advance and let the cucumbers sit in the dressing overnight to become even more flavorful. Easily make a cucumber tomato salad by tossing in some fresh chopped cherry tomatoes. Cucumber tomato salad is just as delicious, if not more so!

3. Corn on The Cob

Jambalaya often has whole corn cobs cooked into the stew. If your recipe does not have corn cobs in the ingredient list, make corn on the cob to serve alongside the jambalaya. Spicy Southern Kitchen has the perfect recipe for making tender, juicy corn. The secret is to boil the corn in milk and butter. This will give the corn on the cob more flavor. Once you try this method of cooking corn on the cob, you will never make it any other way.

4. Swiss Chard

Swiss chard is a very healthy and nutritious side dish. It is full of vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, D, and C. Swiss chard is also quite beautiful and comes in an array of colors. This recipe for chard from Simply Recipes gives easy instructions on how to saute the perfect swiss chard side dish. The tender chard definitely goes well with jambalaya.

5. Collard Greens

Jambalaya is a classic southern side dish and it should be served with other southern-style dishes. Collard greens is about as southern as you can get! Collard greens taste best when cooked with bacon grease, onions, and garlic. The collard greens become even more tender when braised slowly. Follow this recipe from Dinner, Then Dessert and you will fall in love with this amazing side. A plate of jambalaya, braised collard greens, and some cornbread makes a perfect southern-style dinner.

6. Corn Maque Choux

Corn maque choux is another traditional southern-style side. It is made by sauteeing sweet corn, bell peppers, and onions in bacon grease. Garlic, tomatoes, and heavy cream are mixed in and seasoned with creole seasoning. This delicious veggie salad is great to serve alongside jambalaya. The corn maque choux and your jambalaya have many of the same ingredients and flavors. They are a natural fit! This very easy corn maque choux recipe from A Southern Bite is the perfect one to try.

7. Green Salad

There are a lot of flavors in one bowl of jambalaya. You may want to keep your side dish nice and simple. A fresh green salad is perfect to serve with jambalaya. This recipe from Creme de la Crumb is made with mixed greens, bacon bits, sunflower seeds, red onion, and cucumber. It is topped with a homemade honey mustard and olive oil dressing. A crisp green salad is delicious next to a hot, spicy bowl of jambalaya.

8. Okra

Fried okra is an amazing side to serve with jambalaya. It sticks to the southern food theme and gives your dinner some crunchy, salty green veggies. We love the okra recipe from Just a Pinch which only requires 5 ingredients to make golden brown okra. The okra is coated in a cornmeal breading and then fried in vegetable oil. Fry the veggie in olive oil for even more flavor. The combination of crunchy cornmeal and soft-cooked okra is unbeatable.

9. Cheddar Biscuits

Tender, cheesy cheddar bay biscuits are good with almost any entree. They are especially delicious when served next to jambalaya. The salty cheese and the spicy gumbo are a perfect combination. Dip your cheddar cheese biscuit in the jambalaya juices to sop up every last bite. This recipe from Damn Delicious only takes a few minutes to put together. Cheddar cheese biscuits are a side that everyone in your family will devour.

10. Corn Bread Pudding

When you think of bread pudding, you may automatically think of dessert. This savory cornbread pudding from Food52 will completely change how you think about pudding in general. This recipe is made with cornmeal, cheese, and winter squash. It adds a healthy serving of veggies to your jambalaya dinner.

11. Hush Puppies

Deep-fried hush puppies go well with jambalaya. This is because they are both Louisiana classics! Hush puppies and jambalaya can be found on almost every restaurant menu in New Orleans. No need to think of new pairings when this classic combination is already perfect! Try this recipe from The Kitchn that every foodie is sure to love.

12. Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is a great jambalaya side. Pour the jambalaya right over the garlic bread. This will allow the bread to soak up all the juices and spices from the cajun jambalaya. Andouille sausages and tender chicken from the jambalaya taste amazing on a buttery garlic bread slice. Fresh parmesan cheese, garlic, and herbs top this garlic bread from The Recipe Critic.

13. Grilled Oysters

Jambalaya is packed with all kinds of seafood. A seafood appetizer goes perfectly with those flavors in the jambalaya. Grilled oysters are an amazing way to make your jambalaya have a summery feel. Top the shucked oysters with minced garlic, parsley, and a little butter. Grill for about 7 minutes then enjoy! Rasa Malaysia’s oyster cooking method is nice and easy.

14. Jollof Rice

When choosing what to serve with jambalaya, think about the origin of the food. Jambalaya is a combination of West African cuisine and Louisiana foods. Jambalaya has actually been referred to as a melting pot of the two worlds. It is a great idea to choose side dishes that are also a fusion of cultures. Jollof is a traditional West African food that is packed with spiced vegetables and herbs. Chef Lola’s Kitchen makes an incredible version that is a little bit spicy and has a lot of flavor.

15. Fruit Salad

Jambalaya has a lot of spice, so you may want to consider side dishes that are sweet. We love the flavor of this fruit salad from Cafe Delites that is made with berries, mango, and bananas. The honey lime vinegar dressing adds a lot of flavor. This salad is great to serve with jambalaya or even as a dessert after your jambalaya.

16. Zucchini Fries

Zucchini fries are much healthier than regular, deep-fried French fries. They also add a tasty vegetable to your Jambalaya dinner. Well Plated By Erin has fantastic zucchini fries recipes that are baked in the oven. A few bread crumbs, olive oil, and some zucchini slices are all you need!

17. Savory Crepes

Jambalaya side dishes should be a fusion of cultural cuisines, just like the jambalaya itself. We love pairing savory crepes like these from Foodie Crush with a bowl of hot jambalaya. Crepes are light and fluffy. They can also be stuffed with almost any filling you’d like. Think of crepes as thin, French pancakes or a sweet burrito wrapper.

There are so many incredible recipes that you can make to serve with jambalaya. You will never have to wonder what to serve with jambalaya ever again! The cajun seasoning in jambalaya pairs well with so many other foods. We hope that these side dish ideas inspire you to start cooking. Let us know what dishes you decide to make and which are your favorites. Enjoy!