Hitachi Beef Jambalaya or Crockpot

6 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 35 m Total: 50 m Beginner
5.0/5 (1)
Get your rice cooker out tonight and cook up a beef jambalaya meal that will be dynamite. This easy one-pot dish combines stew meat, rice, bell pepper, onions, and French onion soup for a hearty Louisiana-style dinner. One of our visitors wrote in her suggestion: “I used ground beef, and instead of Tony’s Seasoning I used Cajun Spice and a couple of dashes of hot sauce, and I used the crock pot as I don’t have a rice cooker, put it on high for 2 hours, and then low to keep it hot.”

Ingredients

6 servings
  • 1 lb boneless stew meat
  • Tony's Seasoning
  • 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked rice
  • 1 (11 oz) can French onion soup
  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 1 cup water

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Season the stew meat with Tony’s Seasoning. Brown the meat in a lightly buttered pan over medium-high heat until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the fat except for 2 tablespoons reserved in the skillet. Set the meat aside.
  2. Using the reserved fat in the skillet, sauté the onion, bell pepper, and green onions and cook until tender, about 5-8 minutes.
  3. Combine all the ingredients (browned meat, sautéed vegetables, rice, French onion soup, butter, and water) in a rice cooker and set to cook. Stir once after the cooking process has started. Serve with fresh bread and salad. Great and filling meal!

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I use a slow cooker instead of a rice cooker?

A: Absolutely! As one visitor noted, cook on high for 2 hours, then reduce to low to keep it hot. You may need to check the liquid level and add a bit more water if it gets too dry.

Q: My rice is coming out mushy in the rice cooker. What went wrong?

A: Rice cookers vary by model. Next time, reduce the water by 1/4 cup or check the rice after the initial cook cycle. You can also use the "keep warm" setting instead of a second cook cycle.

Tips and Techniques

For deeper flavor, let the meat brown well without stirring too much—those brown bits add richness. If using ground beef instead of stew meat, drain most of the fat before adding the vegetables.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • boneless stew meat: ground beef, cubed chuck roast, or pork shoulder
  • French onion soup: 1 cup beef broth plus 1 tablespoon onion soup mix
  • Tony's Seasoning: Cajun seasoning blend or Creole seasoning plus hot sauce

Equipment Needed

  • rice cooker or slow cooker
  • large skillet for browning meat

Historical Context

Named after the Hitachi brand of rice cookers that were popular in Louisiana homes, this recipe shows how Cajun cooks embraced modern kitchen technology while maintaining their love of one-pot, rice-based meals.