Tiffany Haney
Zatarain's is a popular brand of jambalaya rice mix, which can be cooked in a crock pot. Jambalaya is a traditional Creole and Cajun dish from Louisiana, typically made with a combination of meat, vegetables, and rice. It is known for its versatility, as it can be adapted to suit various tastes and dietary preferences. Cooking jambalaya in a crock pot is a convenient option for busy evenings, as it requires minimal preparation and can be left to cook without constant supervision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Jambalaya |
| Main ingredients | Zatarain's Jambalaya rice mix, meat, vegetables |
| Meat options | Sausage, chicken, shrimp, crawfish, ham |
| Vegetable options | Beans, tomatoes, onion, green bell pepper, celery, green chilies, jalapeno, garlic |
| Spices | Cajun spices, oregano, parsley, cayenne pepper, thyme, bay leaves |
| Liquid | Chicken stock/broth, beer, crab boil, V-8 |
| Cook time | 2-4 hours on High, 7-8 hours on Low |
| Additional instructions | Stir in shrimp during the last 30 minutes of cook time |
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What You'll Learn
Zatarain's Jambalaya in a crock pot
Zatarain's Jambalaya is a New Orleans classic that can be made in a crock pot or slow cooker. It is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit various tastes and is perfect for a busy evening or a weeknight family meal. Here is a step-by-step guide to making Zatarain's Jambalaya in a crock pot:
Ingredients:
- Zatarain's Jambalaya Rice Mix
- Smoked Sausage
- Chicken
- Bell Peppers
- Onion
- Diced Tomatoes
- Creole Seasoning
- Oregano
- Chicken Broth/Stock
- Shrimp (optional)
- Black Beans (optional)
- Butter (optional)
- Bay Leaves (optional)
Method:
Start by browning the sausage in a skillet. This step is optional but adds more depth of flavour to the dish. You can skip it if you're short on time.
Next, add the cooked sausage, chicken, bell peppers, onion, diced tomatoes, Creole seasoning, oregano, and chicken broth to your crock pot. Mix all the ingredients well.
Cover the crock pot and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 6-7 hours, depending on your preference.
About 30 minutes before the cooking time is complete, stir in the Zatarain's Jambalaya Rice Mix. If you can't find this specific rice mix, you can use 3 cups of cooked long-grain rice instead.
If you're including shrimp in your dish, add it during the last 30 minutes of cooking so it doesn't overcook.
Let the rice simmer in the crock pot for about 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the rice to absorb all the flavours of the other ingredients.
Finally, serve your delicious Zatarain's Jambalaya hot!
Tips and Variations:
- For an extra kick of flavour, you can add black beans, a tablespoon of butter, and a few bay leaves to the crock pot.
- If you prefer your jambalaya on the spicier side, use andouille sausage instead of regular smoked sausage.
- You can also experiment with different types of meat and vegetables to suit your taste.
- Remember to adjust the cooking time according to your crock pot's performance. Check the rice's tenderness and continue cooking if needed.
Enjoy your homemade Zatarain's Jambalaya, and feel free to customise it to your heart's content!
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Zatarain's Rice Mix
To make crockpot jambalaya with Zatarain's Rice Mix, start by adding your choice of meat, such as smoked sausage, chicken, shrimp, crawfish, or ham, to the slow cooker. You can also add vegetables like bell peppers, onion, celery, and diced tomatoes. For an extra kick of flavour, include some Cajun spices like pepper, garlic salt, smoked paprika, Old Bay, and blackened seasoning.
Next, pour in the cooking liquid, which can be low-sodium chicken broth or a combination of chicken broth and beer. This adds moisture and flavour to the dish. You can also add canned black beans, red beans or pink beans, along with a tablespoon of butter, for a heartier meal.
Finally, add the star of the show: Zatarain's Jambalaya Rice Mix. This perfectly seasoned, aromatic rice will absorb all the flavours of the other ingredients. Cook the mixture on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours. If using uncooked shrimp, add them during the last 30 minutes of cooking so they don't overcook.
Before serving, give the crockpot jambalaya a good stir to ensure all the flavours are well combined. Then, simply dish it out and enjoy the delicious, hearty meal you've created with minimal effort, thanks to Zatarain's Rice Mix!
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Crock pot cooking times and settings
Zatarain's Jambalaya is a popular dish to cook in a crock pot, with many recipes available online. The cooking time for this dish in a crock pot is typically between 2 and 3.5 hours on a high setting.
Crock pots, or slow cookers, typically have two settings: "Low" and "High". The difference between these settings varies depending on the brand and model of the crock pot. Generally, it takes around seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 209-210°F) on the low setting, and three to four hours on the high setting.
It is recommended to use the low setting when time allows, as food tends to cook better over a longer period with a gentler heat. However, the high setting can be used when short on time, as crock pots are quite forgiving. It is important to note that variables such as the fat content and density of the meat, the amount of liquid, the size and type of vegetables, and the quantity of food will all impact the cooking time. Therefore, the provided cooking times are only approximate.
When preparing dishes with beef or pork in a larger crock pot, it is advisable to brown the meat in a skillet before adding it to the crock pot for more even cooking. Additionally, roasted meats, chicken, and turkey quantities can be adjusted by doubling or tripling, but the seasonings should be adjusted accordingly. Flavorful spices like garlic and chili powder will intensify during long slow cooking, so it is recommended to add only 25 to 65 percent more spices as needed.
When preparing soups or stews, all ingredients can be doubled except for liquids, seasonings, and dried herbs. The liquid volume should be increased by half, or as needed. It is important to note that crock pots have very little evaporation, so liquid amounts should be reduced when adapting stove-top recipes for soups, stews, or sauces.
To ensure food safety and tenderness, it is important to allow sufficient cooking time when starting with cold stoneware and cold food. An instant-read thermometer can be used to ensure that food temperatures reach above 165°F.
Lastly, it is generally not recommended to stir the food in a crock pot unless specifically instructed to do so in the recipe. Removing the lid to stir can cause significant heat loss and extend the required cooking time.
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Alternative ingredients
Zatarain's jambalaya can be cooked in a crock pot with alternative ingredients. The beauty of jambalaya is that it is versatile, and you can adapt the ingredients to your taste and dietary preferences.
Firstly, you can choose your protein. While the traditional recipe calls for sausage, you can also use chicken, shrimp, or a combination of these. If you want to make it vegetarian, you can omit the meat and increase the amount of vegetables or add plant-based proteins like beans or tofu.
For the vegetables, the "holy trinity" of onion, bell pepper, and celery is a must-have for that authentic Creole flavour. You can also add garlic, oregano, and bay leaves to enhance the aroma and taste. If you like your jambalaya spicy, throw in some cayenne pepper or paprika.
The type of rice you use is also important. For the best results, use a long-grain rice that will hold its shape during the long cooking time in the crock pot. You can use white rice or brown rice, depending on your preference.
Finally, the liquid you use will impact the flavour. You can use water, but for a richer taste, go for chicken broth or stock. This will add depth and savouriness to your dish.
With these alternative ingredients, you can customise your Zatarain's jambalaya to suit your taste and make it a delicious one-pot meal.
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Zatarain's seasoning
Zatarain's is a popular brand of jambalaya rice mix, which can be cooked in a crock pot. This is a simple and delicious way to make a classic New Orleans dish, with the convenience of a slow cooker.
Jambalaya is a versatile, one-pot meal, which usually includes meat, vegetables, and rice. It is a staple of Creole and Cajun cooking, with a variety of spices and seasonings. Zatarain's jambalaya rice mix can be used as a convenient base for this dish, providing perfectly seasoned, aromatic rice. The mix can be cooked in a crock pot with other ingredients, such as meat and vegetables, for a simple and tasty meal.
To cook Zatarain's in a crock pot, you can follow a few simple steps. First, add your choice of meat—this could be smoked sausage, chicken, shrimp, or crawfish. You can also add vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, celery, and tomatoes. Seasonings like oregano, parsley, Cajun spices, cayenne pepper, and thyme can be added for extra flavour.
Cook the ingredients in the crock pot for 3-4 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low. About 30 minutes before the end of the cooking time, stir in the Zatarain's jambalaya rice mix. This will allow the rice to absorb all the flavours in the pot and cook to perfection.
You can also add beans—black, red, or pink—and a tablespoon of butter to the crock pot for extra creaminess. Some recipes suggest browning the meat in a skillet before adding it to the crock pot, which adds more depth of flavour to the dish. With Zatarain's and a crock pot, you can easily create a tasty and authentic jambalaya, perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or a festive Mardi Gras celebration.
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Frequently asked questions
This recipe is perfect for a satisfying meal without shrimp. You will need:
- Smoked sausage
- Chicken
- Bell peppers
- Onion
- Diced tomatoes
- Creole seasoning
- Oregano
- Chicken broth
- Zatarain's jambalaya rice mix
Brown the sausage in a skillet for extra flavor (optional). Add all the ingredients except the rice to the crockpot and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-7 hours. Add the rice during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
This recipe includes shrimp and replaces the water with chicken stock. You will need:
- Andouille sausage
- Ragin Cajun sausage
- Zatarain's Jambalaya rice
- Chicken broth
- Rotel with green chilies
- Green pepper (chopped)
- Sweet onion (chopped)
- Jalapeno (chopped)
- Chicken (cut-up breast or thighs)
- Shrimp (uncooked, thawed)
- Cajun spices
Brown the chicken and sausage in a skillet with seasonings, then add to the crockpot. Top off with chicken broth, add the Rotel, chopped vegetables, and diced chicken and shrimp. Cook on high for 3.5 hours, adding the shrimp during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
Here are some tips:
- If you can't find Zatarain's jambalaya rice mix, you can replace it with 3 cups of cooked long-grain rice.
- You can add whatever meat you like to the crockpot, such as ham, crawfish, or beef sausage.
- You can also add extra vegetables like celery or black beans.
- For a spicier dish, use andouille sausage.
