Turkey Jambalaya

Easy Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Comfort Food Recipe

If you’re like me, you want meals that are simple to prepare, super flavourful, and filling—especially on those busy days when you don’t have the time or energy to spend hours in the kitchen. That’s why I’m excited to share this incredibly easy recipe. It’s packed with flavour, hearty, and can be whipped up in no time.

I’ve given this dish a healthy twist by using wild rice and lean turkey sausages, which are much lower in fat than the traditional options. The wild rice adds a great texture and is full of nutrients, while the turkey sausages bring in just the right amount of savoury flavour. My favourite Wild Rice is from Floating Leaf Foods Blend. Best of all, this recipe is completely gluten-free and dairy-free, making it perfect for anyone with dietary restrictions.

Use What You Have on Hand

This recipe is incredibly versatile, so don’t hesitate to get creative with it! You can use any leftover veggies or proteins you might have in the fridge. Whether it’s roasted vegetables, sautéed greens, or even some chicken you’ve already cooked, everything works well in this dish. The flexibility makes it great for weeknight meals when you’re looking to use up what’s on hand.

Want to Add Seafood? Try Shrimp!

If you’re in the mood for seafood, adding some fried shrimp to this dish is an amazing option. Sauté the shrimp with a little garlic and olive oil, then toss them into the dish just before serving for extra protein and flavour.

Keeping It Vegetarian

If you want to go vegetarian, plant-based sausages work beautifully in place of turkey sausage. There are plenty of delicious plant-based options that bring the same level of heartiness to the dish. You won’t miss the meat at all!

Comfort Food Made Easy

This dish is the epitome of comfort food—satisfying, wholesome, and easy to throw together. It’s also a great one-pot meal, which means fewer dishes to clean up afterward. It’s a winner in my book!

Pro Tip: For a final touch, garnish the dish with some fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro. It adds a fresh pop of flavour and colour, taking this simple dish up a notch.

Whether you’re using up leftovers, adding shrimp, or keeping it vegetarian, this recipe is a no-fuss, flavour-packed option that everyone will love. Give it a try next time you need a quick, hearty meal! Happy cooking!

Turkey Jambalaya

Rachelle Newbigging

4 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Main Course

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

• 1 medium onion diced
• 2-4 turkey sausages you can add shrimp too if you like!
• 1 red pepper thinly sliced
• 1 yellow pepper thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup wild rice blend
• 3/4 cup tomato sauce
• 1 – 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock chicken stock or water works too
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• Optional Garnish: Fresh diced green onions and jalapeños

Instructions

 

• Heat the olive oil: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
• Cook the sausages: Add the turkey sausages to the skillet and cook for about 7-8 minutes until they are golden brown. (No need to cook them all the way through yet.) Remove from the skillet and set aside.
• Sauté the veggies: In the same skillet, add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the sliced red and yellow peppers and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
• Slice the sausages: While the veggies are cooking, slice the turkey sausages into small circles, then return them to the skillet.
• Add the rice and liquids: Stir in the wild rice blend, tomato sauce, and vegetable stock (or your choice of liquid).
• Season it up: Add the garlic powder, smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
• Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally, adding more liquid if needed.
• Check the rice: After 15 minutes, give it a quick stir and let it simmer for another 15 minutes or until the rice is tender and the sausages are cooked through.
• Garnish and serve: Once done, garnish with fresh diced green onions and jalapeños for an extra kick of flavour.

Notes

Tips: If you’re adding shrimp, sauté them separately and toss them in towards the end of cooking to avoid overcooking.

For a vegetarian option, simply swap the turkey sausage for your favourite plant-based sausage. This skillet meal is the perfect balance of savoury, smoky, and spicy.

The wild rice adds a wonderful nutty texture, and the Cajun seasoning gives it a deliciously bold kick. Your family is sure to love this recipe as much as mine does!

Keyword jambalaya, rice, sausages, turkey, wild rice

If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment below! I’d love to hear your feedback and how it turned out for you. You may also enjoy my Teriyaki Chicken & Pineapple Skewers, my Marry Me Chicken, or even try my Baked Turkey Meatballs.