Ingredients
2 stalks celery
1 large red bell pepper
1 large onion
3 medium garlic cloves
12 ounces smoked bacon
8 large eggs
1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon Cajun or Creole seasoning (make sure it’s a blend with salt), divided
12 ounces andouille sausage
One 14-ounce can low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Water
2 cups long grain rice
Salt (to taste)
1/3 cup minced parsley
Louisiana hot sauce
Instructions
Finely dice the celery, bell pepper, onion, and garlic.
Cut bacon crosswise into 1/4 to 1/3-inch slices. Place in a large Dutch oven with 1/2 cup water, then heat over medium, about 8 minutes.
Combine the eggs and Cajun seasoning in a medium bowl, and beat lightly. Slice the andouille sausage into 1/4-inch thick slices. Pour the chicken broth into a glass measure. Add the Worcestershire sauce and enough water to bring the total volume to 3 cups.
Use slotted spoon to fish out the bacon. Pour most of the fat into a heat-proof container, leaving about 2 to 3 tablespoons in the Dutch oven. Reduce the heat to low, then add the eggs. Cook, scraping the bottom frequently, as for scrambled eggs.
Add bacon fat to the pan, then the sausage and diced vegetables. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the rice and remaining tablespoon Cajun seasoning. Add the broth mixture, and bring to a boil. Simmer until the rice is fully cooked, about 17 to 20 minutes.
, Mince the parsley. Fold in the bacon, eggs, and parsley. Serve, accompanied by Louisiana hot sauce.
Key Points About Ingredients:
- Andouille sausage is a heavily smoked Cajun pork sausage with a coarse texture and bold garlic-forward flavor — it's the backbone of authentic jambalaya and should not be substituted with regular smoked sausage if you want true Louisiana character.
- Cajun or Creole seasoning blends typically contain salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and herbs — choosing one that already includes salt (as the recipe specifies) prevents over-seasoning and ensures a balanced, layered spice profile.
- Long-grain rice is essential here because its lower starch content keeps each grain separate and fluffy rather than sticky, which is critical for achieving the proper jambalaya texture.
- Smoked bacon rendered slowly with water is a technique that helps the fat render evenly without burning, producing crispy bacon pieces and a rich, flavorful drippings base for sautéing the vegetables and sausage.
- Fresh flat-leaf parsley folded in at the end adds a bright, herbaceous contrast that lifts the rich, smoky flavors and adds a pop of color to the finished dish.
Key Nutritional Insights:
- Each serving provides a substantial amount of complete protein from the combination of eggs, bacon, and andouille sausage, supporting muscle maintenance and satiety.
- The eggs contribute a significant source of choline, an essential nutrient important for brain health and liver function that many people do not get enough of.
- Andouille sausage and bacon are high in sodium, so using a low-sodium chicken broth as the recipe directs helps keep the overall sodium load more manageable.
- Long-grain rice provides a steady source of complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, making this dish genuinely filling and balanced across macronutrients.
- The holy trinity of celery, bell pepper, and onion adds dietary fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, giving this comfort dish a meaningful nutritional boost from vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size1
- Amount per serving
- Calories620
- Standard DV% Daily Value*
- Total Fat34 g72 g47.22%
- Saturated Fat11 g20 g55%
- Trans Fat0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat5 g
- Monounsaturated Fat14 g
- Cholesterol265 mg300 mg88.33%
- Sodium1280 mg2300 mg55.65%
- Total Carbohydrate52 g275 g18.91%
- Dietary Fiber2 g28 g7.14%
- Total Sugars3 g
- Added Sugars1 g50 g2%
- Sugar Alcohal0 g
- Protein28 g50 g56%
- Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol)60 mcg20 mcg300%
- Calcium60 mg1300 mg4.62%
- Iron3 mg18 mg16.67%
- Potassium520 mg4700 mg11.06%
- Vitamin A950 mcg900 mcg105.56%
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)28 mg90 mg31.11%
- Vitamin E (Tocopherol)1 mg15 mg6.67%
- Vitamin K28 mcg120 mcg23.33%
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)0.3 mg1.2 mg25%
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.4 mg1.3 mg30.77%
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)5 mg16 mg31.25%
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)0.4 mg1.7 mg23.53%
- Folate38 mcg400 mcg9.5%
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine)1.2 mcg2.4 mcg50%
- Biotin12 mcg30 mcg40%
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)1.2 mg5 mg24%
- Choline210 mg550 mg38.18%
- Phosphorus320 mg1250 mg25.6%
- Iodine18 mcg150 mcg12%
- Magnesium32 mg420 mg7.62%
- Zinc2.4 mg11 mg21.82%
- Selenium32 mcg55 mcg58.18%
- Copper0.15 mg0.9 mg16.67%
- Manganese0.6 mg2.3 mg26.09%
- Chromium4 mcg35 mcg11.43%
- Molybdenum12 mcg45 mcg26.67%
- Chloride480 mg2300 mg20.87%
