Mardi Gras is as much about the food as it is about the party, and whether your planning to thow a full-blown Fat Tuesday feast or you're just looking for an excuse to indulge, we’ve rounded up 27 of our Best Mardi Gras Recipes to help you celebrate in true Southern style.
From po boys to etouffee, these dishes will have you feeling like you’re right in the heart of the French Quarter—beads optional, but highly encouraged, of course!
1. Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
Let the slow cooker do all the heavy lifting for you in this red beans and rice recipe. This dish is rich, smoky, and perfectly seasoned with all the savoriness of Cajun magic. Serve it up with fluffy rice, a dash of hot sauce, and maybe a slice of cornbread on the side. Because what Southern dish is complete without a slice of cornbread?
2. Dirty Rice
This dirty rice dish is a Louisiana staple and perfect on its own or as a bountiful side dish. It gets its “dirty” name from the flavorful mix of ground meat, spices, and holy trinity that give plain ol’ rice a bold, smoky kick. Add a dash of hot sauce if you want a little extra kick--either way, it's seriously one of the best Cajun dishes around!
3. Cajun Jambalaya Pasta
Cajun jambalaya pasta is what happens when bold Louisiana flavors meet creamy, dreamy pasta perfection! This dish is packed with smoky sausage, juicy shrimp, and tender chicken, all tossed in a spicy, rich sauce that’ll have you coming back for seconds (or thirds—no judgment!). It’s like a big Mardi Gras party on a plate, and the best part? It all comes together in under 30 minutes.
4. Shrimp Po'boy
Prepare yourself for the flavor explosion that is our lighter and quicker version of the shrimp po'boy. Juicy, Creole-seasoned shrimp piled high on a soft, toasty baguette, slathered with zesty remoulade, and topped with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and pickles--it's seriously delicious.
5. Cajun Rice
Cajun rice is one of the best one-pot dishes around. Whether you call it Cajun rice, Creole rice, or just downright delicious, this dish is all about perfectly seasoned rice with a kick of Cajun spice. Serve it as a side next to our blackened shrimp, or make it the main event—either way, it’s pure comfort food with a little Louisiana in every bite!
6. Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Cajun chicken Alfredo pasta is rich, creamy, and comforting with a bold, spicy kick! Picture this: tender, blackened chicken piled high on a bed of velvety Alfredo-coated pasta, all seasoned with just the right amount of Cajun spice to keep things exciting. It’s indulgent, flavorful, and a dish that’ll have everyone fighting for the last bite. Grab a fork, bring your appetite, and let’s turn up the heat on classic Alfredo—Cajun style!
7. Fried Okra
If you haven't tried fried okra, let me tell you—they are little bites of Southern sunshine! Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these golden nuggets are a side dish that’ll have you munching away with a smile. Perfectly seasoned and oh-so-addictive, fried okra pairs beautifully with just about anything. Whether you serve it at a family gathering or just craving a taste of the South, get ready to make some friends because this crispy delight is a crowd-pleaser!
8. Crawfish Etouffee
Crawfish etouffee is a rich, flavorful dish is a true Louisiana classic, featuring succulent crawfish tails smothered in a buttery sauce made from the holy trinity of cooking—onions, bell peppers, and celery—served over fluffy rice. It’s the perfect blend of Creole spices that’ll make your taste buds dance a little New Orleans jig!
9. Praline Cake
Hold onto your forks, friends, because praline cake is a show stealer! This Southern delight and sister recipe to our infamous Texas sheet cake is a sweet slice of heaven, featuring layers of moist cake slathered in a rich, buttery praline frosting that’s almost too good to be true. Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or just because you deserve a treat, praline cake is the kind of dessert that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds (or thirds!).
10. Bloody Mary Bar
Spice up your Mardi Gras party with a Bloody Mary bar! This DIY cocktail bar lets your guests' creativity flow, all while sipping on the delicious Southern staple. Set up a spread of your favorite Bloody Mary mix, zesty Worcestershire sauce, vodka, and a rainbow of garnishes—from crunchy pickles and spicy jalapeños to crispy bacon and celery sticks. Pro tip: Mason jars are the best vessels for these hearty beverages!
11. Blackened Seasoning
Blackened seasoning is exactly what you need to bring the Louisiana flair to your kitchen table. Bold, smoky, and slightly, this Cajun spicy blend is the secret behind that irresistible blackened crust on fish, chicken, shrimp—you name it! It brings the balance of heat with the depth of flavor you want for any weeknight dinner.
12. Blackened Chicken
Blackened chicken is the perfect way to bring bold, smoky, and spicy Southern flavor to your table! Coated in a zesty blend of Cajun spices and seared to perfection in a hot skillet, this dish is all about that flavorful outside with a juicy, tender inside. Whether you serve it over pasta, on a salad, or straight off the plate with a side of creamy mashed potatoes, one thing’s for sure—it’s downright delicious.
13. Pimm's Cup
Light, refreshing, and just the right amount of fancy—Pimm’s Cup is the Southern sipper you didn’t know you needed! This classic cocktail is a breezy blend of Pimm’s No. 1, lemon juicy, and a splash of bubbly, loaded up with fresh fruit and a crisp cucumber garnish. It’s the perfect drink for Mardi Gras party toasting. So, grab a glass, pile in the garnishes, and sip your way to pure refreshment!
14. Blackened Shrimp
Blackened shrimp is little bites of bold, smoky, and spicy perfection! Coated in a zesty Cajun seasoning and seared in a sizzling hot skillet, these beauties get that crispy, flavorful crust while staying juicy and tender inside. Pile ‘em onto tacos, toss ‘em in a salad, or just eat ‘em straight off the plate—no judgment here! However you serve them, one thing’s for sure: these shrimp bring the heat and the flavor in true Southern style.
15. Banana Bread Pudding
Get ready to meet your new favorite post-dinner showstopper: banana bread pudding! Made with buttery bread, ripe bananas, and a luscious custard (it's easier than it sounds!), every bite is soft, gooey, and downright dreamy. Top it off with a drizzle of vanilla sauce, and you've got yourself a dessert that tastes like a giant hug. Perfect for using up leftover bread or just treating yourself—because you deserve it!
16. Steamed Shrimp
Everything you know and love about the seaside restaurant favorite, steamed shrimp, is perfection in a pot with just the right mix of Old Bay seasoning, a splash of lemon, and a little steam magic. These shrimps come out perfectly tender and oh-so-tasty. Serve ‘em up with cocktail sauce, melted butter, or pile them high on a seafood platter for the ultimate feast.
17. Shrimp and Grits
Bring the vibes and flavors of New Orleans home with our easy shrimp and grits recipe! Juicy, succulent shrimp with smoky andouille sausage, a rich, savory sauce, and decadently creamy grits combine to bring you the utmost Southern comfort dish there is. Whip this dish up for brunch or dinner to please any and every crowd.
18. Strawberry Daiquiri
If you've been to NOLA, you know the daiquiri scene has a quite the presence. Cool, fruity, and just the right amount of boozy—strawberry daiquiris are one of the ultimate Southern sips. This homemade recipe is packed with loads of strawberry flavor and mixed to frosty perfection, making it a fun choice for a Mardi Gras bash!
19. Shrimp Etouffee
Rich, flavorful, and packed with Cajun spice—shrimp etouffee is the kind of dish that warms your soul with every bite! This Louisiana classic features tender shrimp smothered in a velvety, roux-based sauce loaded with the holy trinity of Southern cooking. Served over a bed of fluffy rice, it’s the perfect mix of comfort and kick.
20. Sweet Potato Cake
Sweet potato cake is a classic Southern dessert you didn’t know you needed. Moist, spiced just right, and packed with rich, sweet potato goodness, this cake is basically fall flavors dressed up for a Fat Tuesday party. Top it with a luscious cream cheese frosting and you’ve got yourself a slice of pure Southern indulgence.
21. Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Get ready to spice up your Mardi Gras celebration with the ultimate party plate: Cajun shrimp pasta. This dish levels up traditional fettuccini Alfredo thanks to juicy, pan-seared shrimp, sautéed bell peppers and onion, and a creamy, Cajun-spiced Alfredo sauce. Top it off with a fresh garnish of chopped tomatoes and sliced green onions for comfort food at its finest.
22. Crawfish Pie
If crawfish etouffee and pot pie had a baby, it would be delicious crawfish pie. Loaded with savory crawfish cooked in a Creole sauce and baked in a buttery, flaky pie crust, this dish is a true masterpiece of Louisiana flavor and textures. Perfect for parties or a new dinnertime favorite, this dish brings a taste of the bayou to your festivities.
23. Cajun Stuffed Shrimp
This is an appetizer we never pass up on a French Quarter menu. Stuffed shrimp features perfectly cooked shrimp with a flavorful, Cajun-style crab stuffing on top. Consider this Southern seafood dish the perfect Fat Tuesday appetizer for impressing a crowd.
24. Sangria
Hosting has never been easier than with a make-ahead pitcher of one of the best Southern cocktails around, white wine sangria. This vibrant and fruity drink is the ultimate Mardi Gras refreshment, featuring crisp white wine mixed with zesty citrus fruits, juicy berries, and a splash of bubbly for that festive fizz.
25. Pecan Pralines
Get ready to indulge your sweet tooth with pecan pralines—the classic Southern treat, perfect for Mardi Gras! These dainty little bites are made with buttery caramel and crunchy pecans, creating a melt-in-your-mouth experience that’ll have you craving more. Whether you’re enjoying them as a tasty snack during the festivities or gifting them to friends, pralines bring that delightful Southern charm to your celebrations.
26. Roast Beef Po' Boy
These roast beef po' boys are guaranteed bring the flavor of NOLA from the slow cooker to the table. Succulent roast beef drenched in gravy piled high in a crusty loaf of French bread with toppings galore. It's a the kind of sandwich Mardi Gras dreams are made of.
27. Cajun Crab Cakes
This gorgeous crab cake tastes just like the ones you'd get served at the finest restaurants on the quarter, only with this recipe, you don't have to worry about getting splattered with hot grease. Yes, please. These cakes are cooked in the air fryer meaning you can indulge less here and so you can indulge more somewhere else in true Fat Tuesday Style.
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