Mardi Gras Recipes
A delicious collection of Authentic Mardi Gras recipes to get your pre-lent party going! Here, you’ll find easy and delicious Louisiana recipes for Cajun and Creole dishes including Louisiana Seafood Gumbo and more!
Every year, the biggest Mardi Gras celebration is held in New Orleans, also known as The Crescent City.
Table of Contents
- The Carnival
- The Food
- The Music
- Seafood Gumbo
- Creole Shrimp Pasta
- Natchitoches Meat Pie
- Chicken Gumbo
- Shrimp Etouffee
- Crawfish Etouffee
- The People
- No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie
- Southern Pecan Pie
- Key Lime Icebox Pie
- Muffalatta Dip
- Fried Oysters
- Louisiana Red Beans and Rice
- Fried Catfish
- Hot Cajun Crab Dip
- Crab Balls
- Southern Collard Greens
- Maque Choux (Cajun Corn Recipe)
- Cajun Braised Cabbage Wedges
- Remoulade Sauce
The Carnival
Carnival officially begins on January 6th (which is known as the Feast of the Epiphany) every year. This bead-tossing festivities are 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 are generally spicy and often include tomatoes where Cajun recipes are a little milder and don’t usually have tomatoes. 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!
Seafood Gumbo
Creole Shrimp Pasta
Natchitoches Meat Pie
Can’t get to Lasyone’s fast enough! Make a bunch of meat pies for your friends! Fried or baked.
Chicken Gumbo
Not all gumbos are seafood! Try this delicious chicken gumbo!
Shrimp Etouffee
Classic Shrimp Etouffee is a quick and easy Mardi Gras recipe that doesn’t require a dark roux!
Crawfish Etouffee
Seasoned Louisiana crawfish nestled in a rich and savory broth with the Holy Trinity.
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.
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!
No-Bake Lemon Icebox Pie
Southern Pecan Pie
Key Lime Icebox Pie
Muffalatta Dip
Any of these authentic Mardi Gras recipes are good year-round, so don’t limit yourself to just one day of Southern indulgence!
Wow! What a great spread! Your recipes are delicious. Makes me want to be there!
There’s nothing like being in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, but it is crowded and crazy! Whip up a few of these recipes and enjoy Mardi Gras in the warmth and comfort of your own home!
All this makes me hungry though I just ate!
Well that’s good! Fat Tuesday is in a few days! Thank youI