32 Tasty Sides For Jambalayarn

Are you wondering what to serve with jambalaya? Here are more than 30 tasty sides for jambalaya that will round out this delicious dish!

Jambalaya is a flavorful and spicy Creole rice dish that originated in the United States.

It’s a one pot meal filled with rice, Cajun spices, peppers, sausage, chicken, and seafood.

I make a mild version with only sausage for my family and it’s one of our favorite dinners!

Many agree that jambalaya is hearty and filling enough to stand on it’s own, but if you’re looking for something to serve with the meal, I’ve got 31 delicious sides for jambalaya that will leave everyone full and happy.

A large black cast iron skillet filled with jambalaya with shrimp and sausage.

Table Of Contents

What is traditionally served with Jambalaya?

What is traditionally served with Jambalaya?

A large skillet filled with jambalaya rice with shrimp, celery, tomatoes and sausage.

Since Jambalaya is already loaded with starchy rice, spicy flavors, and protein, the best sides are those that are fresh, green, and crunchy.

Think things like roasted vegetables, fresh fruit, or collard greens.

However, it’s a pretty even split on whether jambalaya should be served with bread or not since it’s adding a starch to an already starchy dish.

I’ll let you be the judge on that one!

Cornbread

Speaking of starches, the most common side dish for jambalaya is cornbread, believe it or not!

Cornbread is a staple in Southern cooking, which is where jambalaya originated, so the two go together hand in hand.

You can serve sweet or savory cornbread depending on the flavors of your jambalaya. Cornbread is perfect for soaking up any broth from the dish or you can crumble a little on top.

Cornbread is a regular side dish for jambalaya in our home, so here are several variations for you to try:

1. Buttermilk Cornbread Muffins

Several pieces of buttermilk cornbread muffins stacked on a wooden cutting board.

Buttermilk cornbread muffins are the perfect addition to your next pot of jambalaya. Tender, moist, and flavorful, these cornbread muffins are easy to make from scratch in your own kitchen.

2. Skillet Cornbread

Cast iron skillet filled with skillet cornbread and topped with cube of melting butter.

Cast iron skillet cornbread is moist, crumbly, and perfect served with some butter and a drizzle of honey!

3. Easy Mexican Cornbread

Mexican cornbread in small white casserole baking dish next to plate of cornbread.

Easy Mexican Cornbread features cheddar cheese, bell pepper and green onions combined with the convenience of creamed corn makes it quick and simple to make. It is the perfect accompaniment to jambalaya.

4. Cheddar Sage Cornbread

Several pieces of cheddar sage cornbread piled high on white dinner plate.

Cheddar Sage Cornbread is a great sweet and savory twist on the classic cornbread. This recipe uses fresh corn, sharp cheddar cheese, and fresh sage for a mouthwatering flavor in every bite.

5. Crawfish Jalapeno Cornbread

Crawfish jalapeno cornbread in large black cast iron skillet next to fresh jalapenos.

Crawfish Jalapeno Cornbread is spicy, delicious, and a great cornbread to complete a meal with jambalaya.

6. Savory Cornbread Pudding with Jalapeno and White Cheddar

Large white casserole baking dish of cornbread pudding on kitchen table next to chili peppers.

Savory Cornbread Pudding combines honey cornbread with jalapeno, white cheddar and buttermilk. This comforting dish is slightly spicy and is the perfect addition to your dinner.

7. Cornbread Salad

Cornbread salad with beans, bell peppers, corn, cheese and creamy sauce in clay serving dish.

Southern cornbread salad is dressed with a tasty ranch-style sour cream mayo dressing. You can use leftover cornbread to make this salad, or bake a fresh batch.

8. Gluten Free Cornbread

Gluten free cornbread on white dinner plate topped with butter and a drizzle of honey.

This rustic gluten-free cornbread is vegan and top 8 allergy-free. Baked right in your grandma’s seasoned cast iron skillet, this cornbread recipe will bring back all the comfort and good feels!

9. Paleo Cornbread

3 pieces of paleo cornbread stacked on each other.

This paleo cornbread recipe is gluten-free, grain-free, and refined sugar-free. It’s perfect with jambalaya.

10. Vegan Cornbread

Large white casserole baking dish filled with vegan cornbread cut into squares.

This Southern cornbread is made vegan without compromising on the taste. It’s moist, not too sweet, and requires just one bowl to make.

11. Gluten Free Cornbread Muffin Bites

Several mini gluten free cornbread muffin bites on large black cooling rack.

These Mini Gluten-Free Cornbread Muffin Bites are vegan, allergy-free, and only 7 ingredients! These mini muffins are buttery, slightly sweet, great for kids, and will be your go-to recipe for easy corn muffins.

RELATED: How To Freeze Cornbread

Green Vegetables

Since jambalaya is so hearty and filling, green vegetables are the perfect side to brighten up your dinner.

Plus, they’ll add some nice color contrast to the red tomatoes and meat in the jambalaya.

12. Air Fryer Okra

Pieces of air fryer okra on white plate with dark brown dipping sauce.

Air Fryer Fried Okra is a crispy and delicious jambalaya side. If you’ve been hesitant to try this unique vegetable, then this quick and easy recipe is for you! It’s also suitable for Gluten Free diets.

13. Roasted Jicama

Roasted jicama with green beans on large white serving platter with spoon.

This is an easy recipe for roasted jicama with green beans that bakes up on a sheet pan. It’s a great paleo friendly recipe seasoned with olive oil, garlic, and herbs.

14. Creamed Spinach

Large mound of creamed spinach with metal fork on large white dinner plate.

This easy, low carb, keto creamed spinach recipe with cream cheese needs just a few common ingredients and is done in 15 minutes.

15. Broccoli Salad

Broccoli salad with bacon and cubed cheese in large gray serving dish.

Broccoli salad is a flavorful mix of broccoli, bacon, cheese, and onion play off the savory brown spicy mustard, dried dill, and vinegar.

16. Spicy Zucchini Chips

Large white serving tray of spicy zucchini chips next to bright blue kitchen towel.

These Spicy Zucchini Chips are a great way to use up all of your garden fresh zucchinis. But be prepared…they’ve got a bit of a kick!

17. Instant Pot Collard Greens

Instant pot collard greens with pieces of smoked ham in large white dinner bowl.

This is a healthier take on the traditional favorite Southern side dish, Instant Pot Collard Greens! It is packed full of soul food flavor and ready in half the time of the stovetop method.

18. Roasted Cajun Okra

Large pile of charred and roasted Cajun okra on large white serving dish.

Cajun Roasted Okra is quick and easy to make, has lots of flavor, and is super healthy. Okra is a great vegetable to add to your jambalaya meal.

19. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Air fryer brussels sprouts roasted to a light char in an air fryer basket.

These Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts are perfectly crispy on the outside, tender, soft on the inside, and so easy to make! Learn how to cook Brussels Sprouts in the air fryer and enjoy this perfect side dish with your jambalaya.

20. String Bean Casserole with Candied Bacon

String bean casserole with candied bacon and French fried onions in casserole dish.

String Bean Casserole with Candied Bacon is a unique twist on a classic. Easy baked candied bacon added to creamy, tender green bean casserole that can even be prepped ahead.

Orange/Yellow Vegetables

Even though they won’t add the same color contrast, orange and yellow vegetables are still a fresh and crunchy side option for your jambalaya.

21. Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob

Knife spreads melted butter over oven roasted corn on the cob on a plate.

Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob with Seasoned Butter is a fresh and flavorful side dish. Corn cobs are roasted in their husks, then coated in a lightly seasoned butter.

22. Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples

Roasted sweet potatoes and apples on parchment paper lined baking sheet with sticks of cinnamon.

These simple Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apples are the perfect jambalaya side dish. You only need 4 ingredients to make this healthy and naturally sweet recipe that is the perfect compliment to the spicy rice dish.

23. Spicy Roasted Cauliflower

Spicy roasted cauliflower topped with green onion garnish in white casserole dish.

This chili roasted cauliflower is a delicious and easy side dish made with a whole cauliflower cut into small florets and seasoned with paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder along with a tablespoon of hot sauce.

24. Instant Pot Cajun Corn on the Cob

Instant pot cajun corn on the cob topped with paprika piled on white dinner plate.

Instant Pot Cajun Corn on the Cob is buttery, spicy, and delicious. The corn is full of bold and mouth-watering flavors and isn’t your ordinary corn on the cob recipe!

25. Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Cauliflower mac and cheese in ornate white serving bowl on gray counter.

If you love gooey, cheesy goodness, you’re in for a treat. Extra bonus points for the fact that you’ll get a good dose of veggies with this quick and easy Keto Cauliflower Mac and Cheese.

26. Honey Butter Skillet Corn

Wooden spoon rests in black frying pan of honey butter skillet corn on white table.

This Honey Butter Skillet Corn features two kinds of canned corn in a creamy honey butter sauce. It’s a quick and simple side dish that your whole family will love!

Other Sides

Here are several other tasty sides for jambalaya that didn’t fit into other three categories.

27. Jalapeno and Cheddar Cornmeal Biscuits

Jalapeno cheddar cornmeal biscuits on baby blue serving plate on kitchen table.

This Cornmeal and Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits recipe requires no kneading or rolling. They are the easiest Cheddar Biscuits made from scratch!

28. Hush Puppies

Several crispy hush puppies piled high in large, white rectangular serving dish.

Making hush puppies is easier than you think. These mini fried balls of cornmeal dough can seriously make a meal.

29. Roasted Eggplant

Roasted eggplant in baking dish next to white dip with green garnish and lemon wedges.

This simple roasted eggplant recipe is flavorful, easy to make, and makes one of the very best low-carb side dishes. The eggplant is perfectly caramelized and tender, not mushy.

30. Crab Balls

Large stack of crab rolls in large back serving bowl next to sprigs of garnish.

These crispy Crab Balls are stuffed full of crab meat and fried to a golden brown perfection.

31. Air Fryer Hush Puppies

Large batch of air fryer hush puppies in a white serving bowl.

These Air Fryer Hush Puppies are gluten-free, vegan, and don’t need oil or deep-frying! Simple balls of cornmeal batter with a crispy outside and fluffy inside, this easy hush puppy recipe can be whipped up in just 10 minutes with no fuss.