Is Zatarain’s jambalaya gluten free? YES. Zatarain’s rice mixes offer 19 flavors that are gluten free for you to enjoy.
Not only that, but we have read that the company has partnered with the National Foundation of Celiac Awareness to produce these rice mixes and flavors that are 100% safe to eat by people with Celiac and have the GF seal.
Gluten free confidence score of Zatarain’s
We gave Zatarain’s a score of 10/10 which is the highest we can give based on the fact that not only the brand products are clearly marked with the GF seal, but the company also partnered with the NFCA to make sure their products are ok to eat by people with Celiac.
We wish more companies will do the same
Does Vegan means GF?
Don’t get it wrong, vegan food is NOT gluten free by default. Many Vegan foods can contain wheat or other ingredients that are NOT gluten free.
Vegan simply means there is no meat or fish and sometimes dairy in the meal or product, however because wheat and other gluten grains fall into the category of Vegan, you can eat Vegan food that is NOT gluten free. So be aware.
More about Zatarain’s Jambalaya
Jambalaya is one of the most popular rice recipes, full of exotic flavors. The main ingredients are rice and protein, cooked with lots of spices.
Traditionally, andouille or smoked pork sausage is an essential part of it. There are many versions of the dish, too, with lots of other proteins, including seafood.
Besides the holy trinity:
- Celery
- Onion
- Green bell peppers
the recipe may call for varied spices for a rich taste.
Zatarain’s Original Jambalaya, which is an extremely popular rice mix, is made from gluten free ingredients.
This range of rice recipes contains five Jambalaya variants, ranging from spicy to cheesy. These products have all been tested to check the gluten content, and the result allows them to officially mark their rice mixes with the GF seal
Zatarain’s History
Since its establishment in 1886, Zatarain’s has managed to bring the best of Creole and Cajun recipes to the homes of Americans.
It provides spice and rice mixes that can give you delicious recipes at home. Its seasonings and spice mixes can add an aromatic touch to a homemade dish. It also has unique products like seasoned cornmeal for fried food, and root beer extract to make a brew at home.
Zatarain’s was started by Emile A. Zatarain Sr. as a grocery in New Orleans and later started to produce seasoning, spice mixes, and pre-cooked dinner packages.
Across a period of 130 years, Zatarain’s has been operated in different forms and by different owners.
Currently, it belongs to McCormick, the world-leading spice brand. Zatarain’s still upholds the culinary culture of New Orleans.
The most popular of Zatarain’s products are the ready-to-serve meal recipes that families across America have been enjoying for decades.
These mixes contain seasoned and spiced rice and beans, all pre-cooked and ready to be heated or cooked and served.
You can either pop them in the microwave oven or add water to cook. You’ll also need to add the proteins of your choice to the dishes.
Zatarain’s Gluten Free Mixes
With the help of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, the company has come up with recipes that can fit into a gluten free lifestyle, without compromising on the traditional flavors. Some old favorites by Zatarain’s now have a non-gluten twist.
| Family size yellow rice | Yellow rice with cranberries |
| Crab and oyster dressing | Dirty rice burritos |
| Jambalaya breakfast casserole | Dulac dirty rice mini frittatas |
| Chicken and yellow rice with broccoli and cheddar cheese | Jambalaya and Maque Choux |
| Pealla | Gulf cost seafood stew with rice |
| Seared shrimp peas and yellow rice | Carnival jambalaya |
| Mardi Grass Dirty rice | Free tropical chicken and rice |
| Caribbean shrimp | Krewe Jambalaya |
| Cilantro lime rice | Dirty rice dinner mix |
| Crescent City Jambalaya | Dulac dirty rice |
| Yellow rice mix | Fried rice with ham and peas |
| Family size dirty rice mix | Jambalaya with cheese |
| Reduced sodium jambalaya rice dinner mix | Wild brown Rice mix |
| Reduced sodium dirty rice | Yellow rice with broccoli |
| Spicy Jambalaya mix | Caribbean rice mix |
| Mild Jambalaya mix |
All these above rice mixes are tested and safe to eat and you can check the label and the ingredients list to be fully satisfied.
Zatarain’s Original Jambalaya Recipe to make at home
The Zatarain Jambalaya is easy to make. You will just need to add some chicken, shrimp, gluten free ham, or gluten free smoked sausage, and you will end up with a stunning meal that everyone will love.
It’s like a plate filled with soul food, rich in flavors of Louisiana’s famous dish. Here’s the easy recipe:
Ingredients:
- Zatarain’s ® Jambalaya Rice Mix – 1 package
- Smoked sausage – 1 pound (thinly sliced)
- Water – 2 ½ cups
- Olive oil – 1 tbsp (optional)
Instructions:
Stovetop –
- Mix all the ingredients in a saucepan of 3 quarts.
- Turn the heat to low. Cover and cook till the rice becomes tender, for around 25 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let it stand for 5 minutes.
The Jambalaya is ready. If you want to add shrimps, do so in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Microwave Oven –
- Mix all ingredients in a microwavable pot of 2.5 quarts. Put the lid on.
- Turn the microwave to HIGH and cook for 5 minutes. Then, give it a good stir.
- Now turn the power to MEDIUM (50%) and cook till the rice is tender. It should take about 18 minutes. Don’t forget to give the content a stir now and then.
- Let it wait for 5 minutes.
The Jambalaya is ready to be served. As mentioned earlier, the shrimps should be cooked in the last 5 minutes only.
Remember that the timing is for a 1,000W microwave oven. You may need to adjust the timing based on the oven that you’re going to use for cooking.
Gluten Free Jambalaya Recipe from Scratch
It’s time to check out this wonderful gluten free Jambalaya recipe. You can make the dish from scratch quite easily, and impress everyone, whether or not they eat gluten.
Ingredients:
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp (divided)
- Chicken: 1 lb (cut into small pieces of half an inch each)
- Andouille sausages (gluten free): 12 oz (sliced into half-inch pieces)
- Salt: 1 ½ tsp (divided)
- Pepper: ¾ tsp (divided)
- Onion (sweet; chopped finely): 2 cups
- Celery (chopped finely): 1 cup
- Bell pepper (chopped finely): 1 cup
- Garlic (2 cloves, crushed)
- Dry thyme: 1 tsp
- Dry basil: 1 tsp
- Cayenne pepper: ¼ tsp
- Worcestershire sauce (gluten free): 1 tbsp
- Tomato paste: 1 can (6 oz)
- Tomato (diced, with juice): 1 can (15 oz)
- White rice (long grained): 2 ½ cups (rinsed and drained)
- Chicken broth: 4 ½ to 5 cups
- Fresh parsley (chopped): As required for garnishing
Instructions:
- In a large pot, put 1 tbsp of olive oil. Add the sausages and cook for 2 minutes.
- Next, add chicken to the pan and continue to cook for 8-10 minutes over medium flame.
- Remove the sausage and meat pieces from the pot and set aside. Add 1 tbsp of oil in the pot, and put the chopped bell pepper, onion, and celery. Cook the holy trinity for 6-8 minutes.
- Once they are tender, put the garlic into the pot and saute for 2 minutes.
- Then, put the cooked chicken and sausages back into the pot. Add cayenne pepper, dried herbs, salt, and black pepper and toss everything to combine properly.
- Now, put the Worcestershire sauce, canned tomatoes, and tomato paste, and combine everything.
- Finally, add the rice and 4 ½ cups of the chicken broth. Give all the ingredients a good stir.
- Bring the content in the pot to a boil and reduce the flame to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer.
- Make sure to check after 25 minutes to see if you need to add the rest of the liquid. If needed, give the content at the bottom a stir to avoid burning. Let it cook for a total of 30-40 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, and divide it into plates immediately. Top it off with chopped parsley.
Jambalaya Casserole Recipe
Here’s a fun recipe that puts a brilliant twist to the traditional Jambalaya – a breakfast casserole!
Here’s a1 delicious way to start your day – with a recipe that makes gluten free Jambalaya even more exciting
Ingredients
- Gluten Free Jambalaya Rice: 6 cups
- Ham (gluten free): 1 lb (chopped coarsely)
- Eggs: 8 pieces (lightly beaten)
- Half-and-half: 2 cups
- Cheese (Monterey Jack): 2 cups
- Red bell pepper (chopped): ½ cup
- Green onions (chopped): ¼ cup
Instructions:
- Prepare Jambalaya, as mentioned in the recipe above, replacing smoked sausages with ham.
- Preheat the oven aside at 350 F.
- In a bowl, add eggs and half-and-half and mix them. Add chopped cheese, red bell pepper, and green onions, and mix again. Set the mixture aside.
- In a baking dish or 13 x 9 inches, spread the cooked rice. Pour the egg mixture over the top of the cooked Jambalaya.
- Put the tray in the oven and bake for 30 minutes and let it stand for another 30 minutes.
Your Breakfast casserole, using Jambalaya, is ready. It’s something you can make with leftover Jambalaya rice, as well.
It’s yet another great recipe to enjoy with your family or serve at the brunch, and you’ll soon be the talk of the circle!
Conclusion
Jambalaya is a popular dish, and you can easily stir up a delicious gluten free version of it from scratch, without compromising on the flavors.
However, if you don’t want to get into the hassle of gathering all the ingredients that give it rich flavors, you can use Zatarain’s gluten free Jambalaya rice mixes.
