The best Cajun rice dishes you can buy at the grocery store are as easy to make as they are delicious.
I lived in New Orleans when I was younger and go back at least once a year to see family and friends. Boxed rice mixes are the fastest way for me to get a little taste of home. We broke these store bought Cajun rice dishes into three different categories for this taste test: jambalaya, dirty rice, and red beans and rice. Each category has a “best” and a “runner-up.” Between growing up on these foods and spending a full day making approximately 1,000 boxes of Cajun rice dishes for this taste test, I am positive that these are the best Cajun boxed rice dishes you can buy.
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- The Cajun Spoon Jambalaya
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If you couldn’t tell by the name, Cajun Spoon is another company making a delicious rendition of Cajun-style jambalaya. This rice is tender and heavily seasoned, just like it should be. This brand may be less iconic than some of the others we tried (Zatarain’s, Tony Chacheres, etc.), but I am fully convinced that Cajun Spoon will be a household name sooner than later. With products like this, they’ll definitely be a name in my household from now on.
Credit: Liv Averett / World Market
- Mam Papaul’s Jambalaya
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Mam Papaul’s has been made in Louisiana since 1972, so it’s no surprise that they make the best jambalaya from a box out there. And with ingredients like ham base, cayenne pepper, and garlic, what’s not to love? Something to note is that pretty much every boxed jambalaya on the market is Cajun-style (no tomatoes) and not Creole-style (with tomatoes), including this one. It is absolutely perfect as is and would go great with any mix of meats and seafood. Since I grew up eating Creole-style, though, I may toss in a can of tomatoes. With this one mix, you can make two different types of jambalaya! I would absolutely serve this to my family because it’s one of the best Cajun rice dishes you can buy. Bonus: it’s vegan!
Credit: Liv Averett / Cajun Grocer
- Vigo Red Beans & Rice
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Vigo’s red beans and rice are super saucy and I love that. The bag states that it’s “completely seasoned” and “easy to prepare.” I agree with both of those statements! You do not need to add a single thing to these for a great dinner, but they would also be delicious with some andouille added and a side of buttered French bread to make them feel like even more of a complete meal.
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Zatarain’s Red Beans & Rice
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I didn’t even realize you could get store bought red beans and rice in a box. My family always makes the dish by serving cans of Blue Runner red beans over white rice, which is a truly phenomenal dinner. Because of this, I was skeptical of boxed red beans. Boy, was I wrong! Boxed red beans and rice are delicious. Zatarain’s red beans and rice are the best store bought red beans and rice we tried—a little spicy, perfectly creamy, and super filling. I don’t know if I’m ready to give up my cans of Blue Runner, but I would certainly be happy to add this into the rotation.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Mam Papaul’s Dirty Rice
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If you’re looking for a mild Cajun boxed rice dish, grab this Mam Papaul’s dirty rice. It is so unbelievably flavorful without being spicy. It’s buttery, rich, salty, and savory. I couldn’t stop eating spoonfuls of this. It would be perfect for feeding a family because it could please any palate. If you need to buy anything Cajun from the grocery store, Mam Papaul’s will always be a good bet.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Tony Chachere’s Creole Dirty Rice
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If you’re buying a boxed Louisiana-style rice dish from Tony Chachere’s, buy this dirty rice. It’s better than their jambalaya and red beans and rice combined. It’s so nicely spiced. It would also be great with the suggested added ground meat, but it’s delicious on its own, too. It’s so flavorful that I didn’t miss the meat. This is the one dish on our list that identifies as Creole rather than Cajun, but the flavors of this dirty rice are similar to the Cajun versions. I’ve always loved Tony Chachere’s seasoning and now I love their dirty rice. It’s definitely one of the best rice dishes we tried.
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
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