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Question about jambalaya calculator and jambalaya mixes like Oak Grove

Posted on 10/1/25 at 7:42 am
Posted by TackySweater
Member since Dec 2020
24650 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 7:42 am
Have seen people post over the years about the Oak Grove jambalaya mix. I made it one time years ago before I started learning how to make it without any mix. Wanted to revisit it just for fun and for something different.

Do you throw out the ratios in the calculator when using a mix like this and just follow the directions on the bag?

Oak Grove comes in 1lb bags and calls for 32oz liquid for every pack:
16oz rice - 32oz liquid


Running the numbers in the calculator for 1lb of rice gives:
16oz rice - 40oz liquid

So where’s the discrepancy originate? I'm guessing whatever seasonings are in the mix are factored into the 1lb weight, so rice isn’t actually 16oz?

Posted by SUB
Silver Tier TD Premium
Member since Jan 2009
24714 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 7:50 am to
The calculator isn’t perfect and everyone has their personal preference. I would use less than 40oz liquid for 16 oz rice. Just go with your gut, and if it is not the way you like it ( too dry or too wet) when it comes out, adjust your liquid in your recipe for next time. The calculator is a good starting point that you can fine tune to your liking.
Posted by BigDropper
Member since Jul 2009
8397 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 8:04 am to
Does the Oak Gove mix contain converted rice? That may cause a rice:liquid ratio discrepancy.
Posted by TackySweater
Member since Dec 2020
24650 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 8:09 am to
Don’t think so. Ingredients list “enriched rice”
Posted by slinger1317
Northshore
Member since Sep 2005
6837 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 10:23 am to
Oak Grove is hands down the best Jambalaya mix

It was a staple in our weeknight rotation as a kid and still is with my kids
Posted by Fight4LSU
Kenner
Member since Jul 2005
9967 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 10:34 am to
I cooked the oak grove jambalaya this past weekend. I just follow the directions on the package. Comes out great.

My family loves Oak Grove. I’ve kinda shifted to using it regularly when I want jambalaya. I can cook from scratch, but a weeknight jambalaya, Oak Grove does the trick.
Posted by TackySweater
Member since Dec 2020
24650 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 2:56 pm to
quote:

Oak Grove is hands down the best Jambalaya mix It was a staple in our weeknight rotation as a kid and still is with my kids

You just use the water it calls for?
Posted by Jimbeaux
Member since Sep 2003
21341 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 6:57 pm to
quote:

Does the Oak Gove mix contain converted rice? That may cause a rice:liquid ratio discrepancy.


No, Uncle Ben has not perverted this rice.
Posted by Jimbeaux
Member since Sep 2003
21341 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 7:00 pm to
quote:

You just use the water it calls for?


Yes. I like to add the fresh cut onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic, which I saute down. That adds a bit of water, but just go with the package amount, maybe just a tad less. I’d use chicken broth but only at half strength with the mix.
This post was edited on 10/1/25 at 7:01 pm
Posted by mtcheral
BR
Member since Oct 2008
2081 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 7:20 pm to
You’re overthinking this. Just use the directions on the package. Why would they give you directions for their product that don’t work?
Posted by DoctorTechnical
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2009
2985 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 7:32 pm to
Vectoring -- or maybe not -- from the original question: it's just me that I cook for. Do the ratios scale down to cooking for just one?

Vector two: I've started to try using my rice cooker to speed up this process. I'm having trouble hitting that perfect spot. Ideas?

I'll stand by to take my internet-licks for being an older, overworked cat-guy engineer, but given my work sked I'd like to try to emulate a home-cooked meal now and then.

TIA
Posted by Stadium Rat
Metairie
Member since Jul 2004
10084 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 7:51 pm to
quote:

it's just me that I cook for. Do the ratios scale down to cooking for just one?
It would be a challenge to portion out the Oak Grove mix evenly to cook for one. I would just buy the smaller package (7 oz, I think) and cook the whole amount.

You can freeze leftovers and pop them in the microwave to reheat. Some posters on here say freezing jambalaya resullts in lower quality. I don't agree.

I have no idea how to adapt jambalaya recipes for a rice cooker.
Posted by BigBinBR
Baton Rouge
Member since Mar 2023
9230 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 8:03 pm to
quote:

You just use the water it calls for?


Or chicken stock.
Posted by sleepytime
Member since Feb 2014
3852 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 8:27 pm to
Answer: Oak grove has other dehydrated ingredients that also absorb water
Posted by Stadium Rat
Metairie
Member since Jul 2004
10084 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 8:49 pm to
quote:

Answer: Oak grove has other dehydrated ingredients that also absorb water
Correct. And it doesn't have 16 oz of rice - the oher ingredients have weight too..

Just follow the directions on the bag for the amount of liquid.
Posted by TackySweater
Member since Dec 2020
24650 posts
Posted on 10/1/25 at 9:51 pm to
quote:

Some posters on here say freezing jambalaya resullts in lower quality. I don't agree.

It’s obviously not as good as fresh, but it’s not far from it.

You have to freeze it correctly, then thaw correctly, and finally reheat correctly and it comes out almost like fresh.
This post was edited on 10/1/25 at 9:52 pm
Posted by Twenty 49
Shreveport
Member since Jun 2014
20832 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 8:09 am to
I have tried Oak Grove and enjoyed it, but I slightly favor a mix from Cajun Fry. I never see it on stores here anymore, so we order it by the case and share with family.

Posted by Cajunate
Louisiana
Member since Aug 2012
3473 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 8:11 am to
Cajun Fry has some great products. I love their fish fry.
Posted by Stadium Rat
Metairie
Member since Jul 2004
10084 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 8:14 am to
quote:

Cajun Fry has some great products.
Don't they also have a pastalaya mix?
Posted by BigBinBR
Baton Rouge
Member since Mar 2023
9230 posts
Posted on 10/2/25 at 8:29 am to
quote:

I have tried Oak Grove and enjoyed it, but I slightly favor a mix from Cajun Fry. I never see it on stores here anymore, so we order it by the case and share with family.


They have a “Hot” version that’s really good. The size of the bag is also in between Oak Grove small pack and the “family” big pack.

They have a pastalaya as well, but it uses very small shells as the pasta. Then directions for pastalaya are also a little off and you end up overcooking the shells.

Not sure where you are, but Albertsons always has tons of it available in BR. Rouse’s is hit or miss.
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