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Home » Entrees

Mardi Gras Recipes

Published: Feb 21, 2020 · Last Modified: Aug 20, 2022 by Anecia

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A delicious collection of Authentic Mardi Gras recipes to get your pre-lent party going!

Recipes for Cajun and Creole dishes include Louisiana Seafood Gumbo and more!

Authentic Mardi Gras recipes straight from Louisiana

Every year, the biggest Mardi Gras celebration is held in New Orleans, also known as The Crescent City.

The Carnival

This bead-tossing carnival is always held on Fat Tuesday, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, and is considered by some as a Christian "pre-lent" party, in lieu of the upcoming fasting season.

The parade and carnival go on to the wee hours of the morning! It truly is a party like none other, but if you can't get to the Crescent City this year, host your own Mardi Gras party with some of these authentic and regional Mardi Gras recipes.

The Food

If you've never been to NOLA during Mardi Gras, you don't know what you're missing!

The Louisiana folks know how to host a good "throwdown," with an assortment of foods including: gumbos, etouffee's, jambalayas, crawfish boils and King Cakes.

The difference between Creole and Cajun food is slight; however, Creole recipes generally include tomatoes where Cajun recipes don't. 

You'll find these two terms used interchangeably throughout Louisiana.

The Music

And then there's the street parade with live music from local jazz and zydeco musicians, crazy and outrageous costumes, millions of strands of green, purple and gold beads and a host of adult beverages including the legendary Pat O'Brien's Famous Hurricane Drink!

Nothing screams Louisiana like a big bowl of homemade Gumbo! You'll love this authentic recipe!

Seafood Gumbo is an authentic mardi gras recipe in a white bowl
Seafood gumbo is an authentic Mardi Gras recipe you won't want to miss!
Check out this recipe
White bowl of gumbo with rice, green onions and seafood

Like your Mardi Gras foods with a little tomato? Try this delicious Shrimp Creole dish!

Check out this recipe
Creole shrimp pasta in blue bowl.

Can't get to Lasyone's fast enough! Make a bunch of meat pies for your friends!

Check out this recipe
Meat pies on turquoise plate.

Not all gumbos are seafood! Try this delicious chicken gumbo!

Check out this recipe
New Orleans Cajun Chicken Gumbo

Classic Shrimp Etouffee is a quick and easy Mardi Gras recipe that doesn't require a dark roux!

Check out this recipe
Shrimp etouffee in a blue bowl over white rice.

Shrimp Etouffee with rice in white bowl

The People

You won't find a more diverse population than in Louisiana! Lots of folks immigrated from Europe to Ellis Island, then made their way down to Louisiana. There's a large population of French folks, as well as Italian ! In fact, the famous Muffaletta sandwich is Italian! 

The term "Cajun" is a derivative of "Acadians"- those French immigrants who came over from Acadia, France.

Lemon and Key Lime Icebox Pie slices on a glass plate
Nothing finishes off a Mardi Gras celebration better than Icebox Lemon or Key Lime Pie

Don't forget dessert! If you can't get to Clancy's restaurant in New Orleans, try one of these no-bake Icebox pies or make a homemade pecan pie!

Check out this recipe
Lemon Icebox pie with whipped cream.
Check out this recipe
Whole pecan pie on colorful tablecloth
Check out this recipe
Key Lime Icebox Pie
Check out this recipe
Slice of Italian bread with dip on top.

Any of these authentic Mardi Gras recipes are good year-round, so don't limit yourself to just one day of Southern indulgence!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandra Drake says

    February 21, 2020 at 8:42 pm

    All this makes me hungry though I just ate!

    Reply
    • Anecia says

      February 21, 2020 at 8:56 pm

      Well that's good! Fat Tuesday is in a few days! Thank youI

      Reply

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Anecia Hero, Food Blogger

About SmartyPantsKitchen

I'm Anecia, a native Texan, author, cook and photographer for SmartyPantsKitchen where I'm sharing Traditional and Contemporary Southern recipes for cooks of all levels. There's nothing fancy or gourmet about my recipes-just easy, simple, delicious and memorable! Take a tour and check out delicious recipes! 

Learn more about me →

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