Vegetarian Cajun Cabbage Jambalaya: Spicy & Flavorful In 4 Easy Steps
Vegetarian Cajun Cabbage Jambalaya is a delightful one pot dish that combines the bold flavors of a Cajun cuisine with the heartiness of cabbage.
This recipe is perfect for those seeking a spicy, flavorful, and easy to make meal. Vegetarian Cajun cabbage Jambalaya is your go to meal if you’re craving something spicy and packed with flavor, but still want to keep things vegetarian.
This Vegetarian Cajun Cabbage Jambalaya is the perfect dish to throw into your weeknight dinner rotation. It’s got all the smoky, and spicy vibes of traditional jambalaya. However, it skips the meat and loads up on veggies and fiber rich cabbage instead.
🥕 Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- You can make it in only one pot and it’s easy to cleanup afterwards.
- It has a big bold flavor without animal products.
- It’s budget friendly.
- Cabbage is great for digestion, and Cajun spices help with inflammation.
- It’s Easy to prep meals, and even better the next day.
🌶️ Health Benefits of Vegetarian Cajun Cabbage Jambalaya:
This isn’t just spicy comfort food, it’s a comfort food that is good for you, and has health benefits added right in. Here’s what makes it a smart choice:
- Cabbage is loaded with fiber, vitamin C, and gut friendly antioxidants.
- Garlic, onions, and bell peppers offer natural anti inflammatory and immune boosting elements.
- Tomatoes provide lycopene, which is an antioxidant linked to heart health.
- Cajun spices such as paprika, cayenne, and thyme can help reduce inflammation and improve circulation throughout your body.
- By skipping the meat, this dish is lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, while also still being filling and flavorful.
- It’s gluten free and low in fat.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 head green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 cup long-grain white or brown rice
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions or parsley, for garnish
Optional Add ins:
- Sautéed tofu, tempeh, or plant based sausage if you want to boost protein, but not necessary!
🍲 Instructions:
- Sauté the aromatics.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes, until soft and fragrant.
2. Build the base.
Stir in sliced cabbage and cook for 2–3 minutes, letting it begin to wilt. Add diced tomatoes (with juice), rice, vegetable broth, Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together well.
3. Simmer to perfection.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes (30–35 if using brown rice), or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Finish & serve.
Fluff the jambalaya, taste, and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with green onions or parsley for a fresh finish.
🥣 Storage & Reheating:
This dish tastes even better the next day!
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of broth or in the microwave in 30 second intervals.
🔥 Optional Variations:
- If you want spicier, simply add cayenne, hot sauce, or jalapeños.
- If you want more veggies, just throw in celery, carrots, or okra.
- Instead of rice, you can also substitute and use cauliflower rice or cooked quinoa instead.
✨ Final Thoughts:
Vegetarian Cajun Cabbage Jambalaya brings the heat from the spiciness, and the health from all of the beneficial ingredients. It’s an easy, satisfying meal that proves you don’t need meat to enjoy deep Southern flavor.
Whether you’re plant based full time, or just trying to eat a little cleaner, this recipe will hit the spot without breaking the bank or your digestive system.
If you like this recipe, and want to learn more about anti-inflammatory foods, be sure to also check out our “Anti-Inflammatory Diet Meal Plan”.
Vegetarian Cajun Cabbage Jambalaya: Spicy & Flavorful In 4 Easy Steps
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot Or Dutch Oven
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Chef’s knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 1 Wooden spoon or spatula
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 Medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 Head green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, with juice
- 1 cup long grain white or brown rice
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped green onions or parsley, for garnish
Optional: Sautéed tofu, tempeh, or plant based sausage (for a protein boost)
Instructions
- Sauté aromaticsHeat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
- Build the baseAdd cabbage and cook for 2–3 minutes until it begins to wilt. Stir in diced tomatoes (with juice), rice, broth, Cajun seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- SimmerBring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer:– 20–25 minutes for white rice– 30–35 minutes for brown riceStir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- FinishFluff rice, adjust seasoning, and garnish with green onions or parsley. Serve hot.
Notes
Storage & Reheating
- Store in airtight container in fridge up to 4 days
- Freeze up to 2 months
- Reheat gently on stove with a splash of broth, or microwave in 30 second intervals.
Variations
- Want more heat? Add cayenne, jalapeños, or hot sauce.
- Want more veggies? Try celery, carrots, or okra.
- Want low carb? Sub in cauliflower rice or cooked quinoa.
