Celebrate Mardi Gras with the best flavors of New Orleans! From classic red beans and rice to rich crawfish étouffée, spicy boudin, and sweet treats like pralines and beignets, these Mardi Gras food ideas bring the party to your kitchen during Carnival and Fat Tuesday.
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New Orleans—and Louisiana in general—hold a special place in our hearts, so naturally, we love to celebrate and take part in the Mardi Gras festivities!
Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday," is a time to feast and celebrate before the start of Lent. It’s especially popular in New Orleans, where the streets come alive with parades, music, and, of course, incredible food.
Classic Mardi Gras foods include red beans and rice, crawfish étouffée, jambalaya, and gumbo. You’ll also find boudin sausage, king cake, pralines, and beignets.
During our time living in the Florida Panhandle, we were surprised (and excited!) to see that Mardi Gras is celebrated there too with its famous krewes, parades, and other festivities.
Some of the recipes in this roundup, like Grits à Ya Ya, are inspired by our time in Florida, while others, like our boudin balls, remind me of the ones from Tony’s Seafood in Baton Rouge—one of my all-time favorites!
We hope these food ideas bring a little Mardi Gras magic to your table. Enjoy!
Popular Mardi Gras Recipes
Below, you'll find a complete list of our favorite traditional Mardi Gras food ideas!
New Orleans Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Indulge in the flavors of the authentic Creole culture with this Louisiana Red Beans and Rice recipe.
How to Make Dirty Rice (Louisiana Cajun Recipe)
Learn how to make dirty rice with us! This Cajun rice recipe is perfect as a side dish or a main dish. It has that classic brown color and is full of bold flavor from the seasoned meats, veggies, and spices.
Cajun Boudin Balls Recipe (How to Make From Scratch)
This Boudin Balls recipe features pork, chicken, and rice rolled in crispy Panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried! An authentic Louisiana recipe inspired by one of Cajun country's most famous dishes.
Grits A Ya Ya (Creamy Shrimp and Grits Recipe)
The best creamy shrimp and grits recipe, inspired by the famous Grits A Ya Ya! Perfectly cooked shrimp, cheesy Gouda grits, and a creamy sauce!
How to Make Chicken Jambalaya
Try our easy chicken jambalaya recipe for a taste of New Orleans! Made with grilled chicken and andouille sausage, and classic Creole flavors, it’s a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
Cajun Boudin Egg Rolls
Louisiana Cajun boudin egg roll recipe featuring pork, chicken liver, rice and seasonings, and served with a side of homemade remoulade sauce.
Best New Orleans Pralines (Pecan Candy Recipe)
These New Orleans pralines (pecan candy) are made with sugar, pecans, and vanilla. Enjoy an authentic taste of Nawlins right in your kitchen.
Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Break out your Crockpots for this delicious Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice recipe! Made with kidney beans and the "holy trinity" of bell pepper, celery, and onion, it's so creamy and delicious. Serve it with a side of Southern cornbread and enjoy.
The BEST Blackened Catfish Recipe
This blackened catfish recipe combines bold Cajun flavors with tender catfish fillets for a quick, flavorful meal.
Crawfish Étouffée Recipe
This crawfish étouffée recipe features meaty crawfish tails that are smothered in a flavorful, rich gravy made with a roux, the"holy trinity", herbs, and spices. Serve it over a bed of steamed rice and garnish with green onions and parsley for a complete dish!
Cafe Du Monde Beignets Recipe
Experience a taste of New Orleans with our Cafe du Monde beignets recipe! They are pillowy soft, deep fried, and perfectly sweet, just like at the iconic cafe. Serve them alongside a cup of coffee or milk for a kid-friendly pairing.
📖 Recipe
Best Mardi Gras Food Ideas
Ingredients
- 10 cups water
- 2 smoked ham hocks
- 3 tablespoons chicken base or chicken bouillon powder
- 2 bay leaves dried
- 3-4 serrano chiles left whole with stems removed optional, for spicy flavor
- 1 head garlic peeled and chopped
- 1 pound dried red kidney beans
- 1 pound andouille sausage sliced into coins
- 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning e.g. Tony Chachere
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 ribs celery diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- ½ large yellow onion diced
- Cooked rice for serving
- Chopped parsley for garnish optional
- Chopped green onion for garnish optional
Instructions
- Get the recipe for New Orleans Red Beans and Rice.
enjoli says
great list! the pralines are my favorite. i would love to see more cajun recipes on your blog.