Mardi Gras in New Orleans is celebrated with much more than just parades and costumes; it's an event deeply intertwined with unique and traditional foods that capture the essence of the city's diverse cultural heritage. The festivities are marked by an array of dishes that embody the melting pot of influences that shape New Orleans cuisine, from French and Spanish to African and Native American. Important to the Mardi Gras culinary tradition are savory staples like gumbo and jambalaya, both rich and hearty stews that feature a mix of meats, seafood, and spices, embodying the complexity and depth of New Orleans' culinary history. These dishes are more than just food; they are a communal experience, shared among friends, family, and even strangers, reflecting the communal spirit and joy of Mardi Gras. Through these meals, participants connect with one another and with generations past, celebrating not only the carnival but also the vibrant culture and enduring traditions of New Orleans.
We have gathered 26 typical Mardi Gras recipes you can get inspired by to contribute to the festive spirit that comes with this traditional holiday!
1. Jambalaya: the delicious recipe for the one-pot main dish from New Orleans
Jambalaya is a popular one-dish meal that hails all the way from New Orleans, Louisiana. An authentic jambalaya is Cajun or Creole, which means it’s spicy, zesty, and smoky. The chicken, sausage, and shrimp is juicy and full of flavor!
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2. Shrimp and Grits: the best recipe for a mouthwatering, iconic Southern dish
Few things are better than authentic Southern shrimp and grits. It's an easy recipe that's popular throughout the American South. The grits boast a rich, creamy cheesy flavor while the shrimp are perfectly seasoned with paprika, oregano, and garlic. Bacon adds another dimension to this dish, making each bite heavenly.
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3. Muffuletta: a mouthwatering recipe for the classic New Orleans sandwich
If you've been searching for a fabulous, flavorful sandwich to feed a crowd, look no further than the muffuletta.The muffuletta is a classic New Orleans sandwich made with layers of tangy marinated olive salad, plenty of cheese, and charcuterie.
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4. Gumbo: The Original Recipe Of The New Orleans-Style Dish
Make traditional New Orleans-style gumbo with shredded rotisserie chicken, tender shrimp and savory andouille sausage for a complete and comforting dinner.
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5. Shrimp Creole: the mouthwatering recipe for a classic Louisiana dish
With its rich, spicy sauce and an incredible savory flavor, shrimp creole is an amazing, irresistible dish you can serve up for dinner for any occasion. With its spicy, tomatoey sauce and perfectly cooked pink shrimp, Louisiana shrimp creole is quick and easy enough to make as a delicious weeknight dinner, yet tastes impressive enough to serve for special occasions.
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6. Gallo Pinto: the recipe of the typical rich and tasty dish from Costa Rica
Gallo pinto is a typical dish from Costa Rica, but also known in other parts of South America such as Nicaragua. It is made up of cooked rice and beans that are lightly spiced thanks to salsa Linzano. This flavorful recipe has the name gallo pinto because in Spanish it means "spotted rooster" precisely because of the spotted, multi-colored appearance that beans give to rice.
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7. Maque Choux: the delicious Cajun side dish recipe
Maque choux is a mouthwatering Cajun side dish recipe that's spicy, sweet, and creamy. It is a perfectdish to serve any time of year, although it's especially delicious in summer when corn is in season or around Mardi Gras.
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8. Crawfish Pie: the mouthwatering recipe for a classic Louisiana savory pie
If you're a fan of savory pies, you'll love this beautiful crawfish pie recipe. This easy-to-make, flavorful double-shelled pie is a specialty of the Cajuns of southern Louisiana.
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9. Shrimp Boil: an incredible Southern dish to make this summer
When the weather is hot and your taste buds are craving a hearty yet flavorful dish full that will light up all your taste buds, nothing beats a shrimp boil. It's packed with tender shrimp, smokey andouille sausage, in-season sweet corn, and delicious red potatoes seasoned with a mouthwatering array of spices.
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10. Cajun Shrimp Canapés: the easy and quick appetizer recipe
If you’re looking for a quick, spicy alternative to the classic prawn co*cktail, then look no further. Cajun Shrimp Canapés are an easy and quick appetizer recipe… not to mention super tasty. Perfect for a party, game day, or even for a family dinner. Sliced cucumbers are topped with mashed avocado and spring onions, and rounded off with Cajun shrimp. The spicy shrimp flavor goes well with the creaminess of the avocado and the crunch of the cucumber. You can serve them cold, so they’re perfect to make ahead. Ready to impress your guests? Then make these Cajun Shrimp Bites today!
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11. Cajun Chicken Pasta: a simple pasta dish with such amazing flavors
Cajun Chicken Pasta is a recipe that combines French and Southern cuisine. It's a sturdy country-style dish with such amazing flavors and drool worthy taste! Embarrassing though, every time I prepare this dish, I end up hogging more than half of what all has been cooked and can certainly have some more the next day.
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12. Crab Cakes: the ultimate recipe for the famous Maryland seafood dish
If you're looking for an ultra-tasty, easy-to-make appetizer that you can make in no time, you'll love this simple crab cakes recipe. Made from jumbo crabmeat and seasoned with mayo, mustard, hot sauce, and parsley, these Maryland crab cakes are crispy on the outside and creamy and tender on the inside.
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13. Hush Puppies: the effortless recipe for a popular Southern side dish
With a delicious crunchy golden brown outside and an ultra-soft, flaky inside, there's nothing like a fresh batch of hush puppies. Hush puppies are a mouthwatering Southern side dish that is especially typical main meals such as fried chicken or seafood.
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14. Shrimp Po’Boy: the best-ever recipe for the famous New Orleans sandwich
With its crispy, flavorful battered shrimp, crunchy lettuce, tangy-spicy remoulade sauce, and tomato layered over thick, fluffy loaves of crusty bread, the Shrimp Po'Boy is one of the best sandwiches around. This famous, much-loved sandwich has origins in New Orleans during the early 20th century and remains one of the most popular and recognizable dishes in New Orleans' cuisine. The shrimp po'boy is a fantastic, hearty sandwich that's great for a delicious lunch or dinner.
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15. Jambalaya Pasta: the delicious recipe for easy Louisiana-style pastalaya
If you're a fan of the savory, delicious Louisiana flavors in classic jambalaya, you'll love this easy, creamy jambalaya pasta. Sometimes called pastalaya, it is packed with bell peppers, succulent, perfectly browned chicken thighs, tomatoes, andouille sausage, and pasta tossed with a creamy tomato sauce, and topped with cheese. Jambalaya pasta is a delicious meal you can whip up any night.
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16. Peppered shrimp Alfredo
Creamy alfredo sauce coats the sautéed peppers and shrimp in this delicious diner recipe. While you can feel free to make your own alfredo sauce, using a jar of sauce makes this recipe quick to make and guaranteed to be scrumptious. While this recipe uses fettuccini as the pasta, try using rigatoni or ziti noodles- they will all work well!
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17. Seafood Potato Au Gratin: the delicious seafood main dish you’ll love
Cheese, seafood, and potatoes come together in this delicious recipe in the form of a Seafood Potato Au Gratin. Gratin is made from many dishes, and it’s actually just a fancy term used to describe a technique whereby an ingredient is topped with cheese (and sometimes breadcrumbs) and then baked until golden. While baking the cheese becomes gooey, caramelized, and delicious!
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18. Fried Okra: the easy and quick Southern recipe
Fried okra is a quick and easy Southern recipe. Enjoy it as a summery side dish packed with fiber. These fried okra nuggets are super crispy and golden brown, enough to be known as southern popcorn just because they pop in your mouth. To make fried okra, simply soak the sliced okra pods in egg and coat with a mixture of cornmeal, salt, pepper, or your favorite seasoning mix. Then, pan fry okra until golden brown. Serve fried okra as you want together with your favorite main dish, such as braised brisket, BBQ ribs, or Southern fried chicken.
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19. Old Fashioned Bread Pudding: the fragrant and moist recipe
This is winter comfort food at its best – fragrant, moist bread baked in an egg custard, with a hint of warm cinnamon and nutmeg.
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20. Boudin Balls: the classic Cajun party appetizer recipe for fried boudin balls
If you're looking for a great party or game day snack that your guests will go crazy for, fried boudin balls are the perfect appetizer for you. This delicious Cajun appetizer is made from boudin sausages which have been rolled into balls, battered, and deep-fried.
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21. Sausage Balls
If you are looking for the perfect appetizer or something easy and delicious to pass around at a party, then look to further- this recipe is for you! These small sausage balls are addictively delicious and you can whip them up in a matter of minutes. Pancake mix, cheese, spices and sausage is all it takes and you are on your way to having the perfect little treat! As there are many gluten free pancake mixes available, this treat can also be made for those with gluten dietary restrictions without sacrificing flavor- a true crowd pleaser! So get out your measuring cups and mixing bowl and get ready to make an easy tasty treat.
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22. Mardi Gras King Cake: the tasty New Orleans dessert to make on Fat Tuesday
For this year's Mardi Gras, why not celebrate by making a festive, colorful, and delicious Mardi Gras king cake? This easy-to-make recipe comes from New Orleans and is a must-have for any Fat Tuesday party. This festive day is held every year in the French Quarter to celebrate the Carnival season.
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23. Beignets: the mouthwatering recipe for a classic New Orleans dessert
There's nothing like sinking your teeth into a freshly fried beignet. With their soft, pillowy inside and lightly crispy outside and sweet, sugary flavor, New Orleans beignets are a wonderful sweet you can serve for breakfast or brunch or enjoy as a light dessert.
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24. Bananas Foster: the delicious dessert recipe made with bananas, rum and ice cream
So versatile, delicious and easy to make, this bananas foster recipe is going to be something you will want to enjoy all the time. The bananas foster is a famous, impressive American dessert of New Orleans created in the 1950s.
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25. Pecan Pralines: the easy Southern dessert recipe for old-fashioned New Orleans pralines
If you're looking for an incredible homemade sweet treat you can whip up in a flash, Southern pecan pralines are perfect for you. This old-fashioned dessert comes from New Orleans but has spread throughout the American South because their irresistible taste.
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26. Paczki: the easy and sweet recipe for Polish donuts
If you though that there is no way to improve on a donut, then you haven’t tried these Polish donuts. While they are a traditional dessert, they are just as popular in America, where they’ve become the dessert to eat during Mardi Gras.
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