31 Best Mardi Gras Recipes and Food Ideas
These New Orleans inspired recipes are fun, simple, and delicious!
Just as it feels like drab winter is lasting forever, along comes Mardi Gras, with its color and joy, to remind us that life's too short not to party! Though the celebration falls on a different day every year, January tends to have us marking our calendars in anticipation, and trying to decide whether to bake a King cake or just go ahead and buy one.
If you're ready to laissez les bon temps rouler as well, then consider making some of these classic Cajun and Creole style dishes for your Mardi Gras celebration!
Shrimp Gumbo
One of the most popular dishes from Louisiana, gumbo comes in many varieties. Some contain chicken, others mussels, while ours has shrimp and Andouille sausage. Okra acts as a thickening agent to make the broth rich and luscious. Serve over rice with Cajun Cheddar Drop Biscuits alongside. This is a meal for kings!
Baked Jambalaya
Use the best shrimp you can find when making this traditional Cajun one-pan meal. The results are worth it.
Cajun Coq au Vin
This rich stew is perfect for a Mardi Gras celebration. The classic French dish gets some New World flavor, and is all the better off for it!
Gougères (French Cheese Puffs)
These cheesy puffs are hands-down the best way to sop up leftover sauce from the Coq au Vin, above.
Haricots Verts (Green Beans) with Almonds and Vermouth
Spiked with flavor, these French style beans are ideal for a Mardi Gras celebration dinner.
Stewed Okra and Tomatoes
For a true Southern style Sunday dinner, you need veggies on the table—and what better veggie is there than okra?
Lowcountry Shrimp Boil
You're never going to go wrong with a seafood boil. To make it even more festive, add some crawdads into the mix.
Cajun Sausage Puffs with Bourbon Mustard
The best Mardi Gras food is party food—and it doesn't get more festive than spicy Andouille sausage wrapped in pastry puffs and dipped in a honey, mustard, and bourbon sauce!
Get the recipe for Cajun Sausage Puffs with Bourbon Mustard.
Cornmeal Fried Okra
Crispy fried okra is a Cajun food staple, and it's never out of place at a celebration!
Muffuletta Sandwich
To make it right, you need a little advanced prep on this old-school NOLA staple—letting it sit overnight allows the flavors to marry, and is what makes it so irresistible.
Creole Shrimp Caesar Salad with Cheesy Croutons
For a lighter take on a classic Po-boy, try this heavenly shrimp salad!
Get the recipe for Creole Shrimp Caesar Salad with Cheesy Croutons.
Garlic-Clove Shrimp
This sweet and spicy shrimp dish features punchy Creole seasoning making it the best way to get your party started.
Seafood and Sausage Stew
Packed with fish, shellfish, andouille sausage, and plenty of veggies, this warming soup is an easy way to celebrate.
Brioche Bread Pudding with Bourbon-Butterscotch Sauce
New Orleans is known for its bread pudding—especially made with a whiskey sauce. This rich custardy dessert is guaranteed to satisfy!
Get the recipe for Brioche Bread Pudding with Bourbon-Butterscotch Sauce.
Crawfish Boudin Balls
It wouldn't be a true New Orleans celebration without boudin balls and this recipe is perfect for a crowd.
Fried Shrimp Po' Boys
A traditional sandwich for streetcar workers in the city, this hearty sandwich is definitely filling.
Cajun Mac and Cheese
This creamy, cheesy sauce is the perfect complement for spicy kielbasa sausage and peppery seasoning.
Shrimp and Sweet Corn Grits
Fresh corn gives this southern staple even more flavor.
Pecan Pralines
No Mardi Gras party's menu would be complete without a sweet treat filled with pecans.
Cajun Surf 'n' Turf Stew
Make party prep easy with this slow cooker recipe featuring chicken, shrimp, and andouille sausage.
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