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This healthy jambalaya recipe is a Whole30 and low carb version of an authentic Cajun dish. With sausage and shrimp, this paleo Creole recipe is even keto friendly, thanks to cauliflower rice! Surprisingly easy, too, and it comes together in a little less than an hour.
Ah, New Orleans. The atmosphere, the music, the FOOD. Truly, is there anything better than seriously authentic Cajun food around every corner? Well, only perhaps the fact that you can chase it all down with plenty of local beer and a couple of powdery beignets.
Or maybe that you can make it all home except way healthier, Whole30 compliant, and low carb (even keto!). The secret? An authentic jambalaya recipe with a quick substitution of cauliflower rice for white rice.
What Makes This Recipe So Good
- The combination of Cajun ingredients, like sausage, shrimp, and Cajun “holy trinity” (onions, bell peppers, celery), make this healthy jambalaya taste super authentic.
- Cauliflower rice means this recipe is Whole30, paleo, low carb, and keto.
- It’s actually quite easy to make and comes together in less than an hour!
Recipe Variations
- Try crawfish instead of or in addition to the shrimp! SO GOOD!
- Use broccoli rice instead of cauliflower rice in this healthy jambalaya if you feel like it.
- Stir in a couple of (drained) cans of crab for some extra seafood jambalaya magic.
- Replace the shrimp or sausage with cooked chicken, preferably dark meat.
Chef’s Tips
- Make sure you simmer the mixture. If you don’t and the liquid doesn’t properly reduce, you’ll end up with a soupier dish than what a jambalaya should be.
- If you’re on a Whole30 round, stick to sausages like Aidell’s Chicken Apple Sausage or other Whole30 compliant varieties you find. Costco usually has a great selection!
- Use pre-riced cauliflower. I buy large frozen bags at Costco, which makes this recipe so easy.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Paleo Buffalo Chicken Casserole with Ranch (Whole30)
- Healthy Shrimp and Grits Recipe (Whole30, Paleo, Keto)
- Blackened Salmon
- Healthy Spanish Chicken and Rice Stew (Whole30, Low Carb, Keto)
- Blackened Shrimp with Remoulade Sauce
- Healthy Authentic Seafood Gumbo (Gluten Free, Whole30, Paleo, Low Carb)
- Keto Gumbo
- Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice
- Creamy Shrimp Risotto with Parmesan
Healthy Jambalaya (Whole30, Low Carb, Paleo)
This healthy jambalaya recipe is a Whole30 and low carb version of an authentic Cajun dish. With sausage and shrimp, this paleo Creole recipe is even keto friendly, thanks to cauliflower rice! Surprisingly easy, too, and it comes together in a little less than an hour.
Ingredients
- 1 pound sausage like Aidell’s chicken-apple sausage for Whole30, sliced
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 red bell pepper deseeded and chopped (about 1 ½ cups)
- 1 green bell pepper deseeded and chopped (about 1 ½ cups)
- 1 stick celery thinly sliced
- ½ of one onion chopped
- 1 ½ – 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ – 1 ½ teaspoons salt use ½ teaspoon if your Cajun seasoning contains salt, up to 1 ½ teaspoons if it doesn't
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 2 14.5-ounce cans fire-roasted tomatoes 29 ounces total
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 5 cups frozen cauliflower rice
- 1 pound medium raw shrimp peeled
- green onions sliced, for garnish
- fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
- Louisiana hot sauce to serve, optional
Instructions
- In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat ½ tablespoon olive or avocado oil over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned on both sides, stirring occasionally. Transfer sausage to a plate.
- Add 1 tablespoon oil. Add garlic, onion, bell pepper, and celery; sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes over medium heat.
- Add Cajun seasoning, starting with 1 ½ tablespoons, black pepper, salt, and optional cayenne pepper to pot; stir. Add tomatoes, chicken broth, and sausage to pot, and stir to mix.
- Bring mixture to a boil then reduce heat to low; simmer for 25-35 minutes or until thickened and liquid is reduced.
- Stir in shrimp and cauliflower rice. Cook on low, stirring regularly until rice is heated through and shrimp turn pink and no longer translucent. Don't overcook the shrimp.
- Ladle into bowls and top with sliced green onions and parsley. Serve with Louisiana hot sauce.
Video
Recipe yields approximately 8 servings. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving out of 8. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by 8. Result will be the weight of one serving.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Serving Size: 1servingCalories: 310calProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 191mgSodium: 1512mgPotassium: 511mgTotal Carbs: 7gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gNet Carbs: 4gVitamin A: 2071IUVitamin C: 70mgCalcium: 121mgIron: 3mg
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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Can you use frozen cauliflower!?
Sure!
My whole family loved this recipe! It is so flavorful. Making it for each 2nd time tonight!
Delicious! Adding this to my favorites list. Healthy, full of flavor and very satisfying.
Thanks for the review, Michele!
I’m so excited to make this!
Quick question… I have fresh cauliflower rice, should I adjust anything since it isn’t frozen like the recipe suggests?
As long as you have the same volume, it should be fine!
I made this in the crock pot and it was great! I just put all the ingredients in (except for the shrimp and cauliflower and I did not cook the holy trinity ahead of time, just let it cook in the crock pot) and I left the lid open a little so the liquid would decrease. I added the shrimp and cauliflower rice about 30 mins before serving. My husband loved it! Thanks for the recipe!
Zoe, thank you for the positive review!
So delicious! The only change I made was adding chicken thighs. I browned them in between the sausage step and the holy trinity. I do have one question…Do you think the leftovers could be frozen and saved for another night?
This is so amazing! Made it tonight and will certainly make again!
So glad you loved it!
One word….. Amazing!
Followed the recipe and while it cooked, I made some chicken thighs in the instantpot. I shredded and added them when I added the shrimp.
I chose to make the cauli rice separate and add to each bowl.
This recipe is a definite keeper!
Yum!!
Just finishing up the cooking – super easy and smells great. I may have test-tasted (you know it’s gotta be done) and it was very good. Thanks.
I am from the deep south also!! This is SOOOO wonderful. I just made it and I love your step by step instructions. So helpful. I normally overcook the shrimp but followed your tips and they are perfect!!! This is also my first week of Whole30. YES!! I CAN DO THIS!!!
How many servings is this for the nutrition count?
8
What is the amount for 1 serving ?( EG 1 cup)