Let the good times roll (laissez les bon temps rouler) with this ultimate collection of 27 Traditional and Classic Mardi Gras Recipes and Menu Ideas for 2025!
From Cajun and Creole-inspired dishes to iconic New Orleans favorites, these recipes are perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday whether you’re soaking up the festivities in New Orleans or bringing the party to your own home.
I’ve teamed up with my sister Chula from the Pudge Factor Blog to curate these mouthwatering recipes. Each one includes easy step-by-step instructions and, in most cases, helpful videos to ensure your cooking experience is as stress-free as possible.
From King Cake and beignets to savory classics like gumbo, jambalaya, and shrimp étouffée, this collection has everything you need to capture the spirit of Mardi Gras.
Whether you’re planning a Mardi Gras menu for a crowd or need ideas for a festive lunch, dinner, appetizer, or dessert, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here. And even if you’re not celebrating Mardi Gras, these quick and easy recipes are perfect for any special occasion or to surprise your family and friends with a taste of New Orleans cuisine.
Get ready to dive into this delicious roundup of Cajun and Creole recipes, Mardi Gras desserts, and more. Let’s celebrate in style with dishes that bring the flavors of the Big Easy straight to your table!
Hurricane Cocktail
Hurricane Cocktails were first created at the legendary Pat O’Brien’s Bar in New Orleans in the 1940s as a creative way of utilizing large stocks of rum. Legend has it that the Hurricane got its name because the cocktail was first served in the glass piece of a hurricane lamp. And, as they say, the rest is history.
Cajun Shrimp and Grits
Easy Cajun Shrimp and Grits is a classic Southern shrimp and grits recipe. It features creamy parmesan cheese grits topped with perfectly seasoned, sautéed Cajun shrimp swimming in a decadent sauce with butter, garlic, and lemon juice.
Blackened Chicken Alfredo with Pasta (Cajun)
Blackened Chicken Alfredo is the ultimate comfort food and features juicy chicken breasts coated in a deliciously spicy, homemade Cajun blackening seasoning.
They are then pan-seared to perfection and served on a bed of fettuccine pasta smothered in a creamy Alfredo sauce.
Cajun Onion Strings with Spicy Dipping Sauce
Crispy Cajun Onion Strings with Spicy Dipping Sauce are as easy to make as they are addictive to eat. The Onion Strings are amazing on their own and delicious when piled high on a juicy burger or as a crunchy topping for your favorite casserole.
Ultimate Oysters Rockefeller – Grits and Pinecones
Ultimate Oysters Rockefeller is for you if you are looking for an outstanding appetizer to impress your guests or a light, healthy dinner entree! This classic dish is a must-try for seafood lovers and, like my recipe for Southern Crispy Fried Oysters, is perfect for showcasing oysters’ briny and succulent flavors.
Creole Seafood Jambalaya
Creole Seafood Jambalaya with succulent shrimp, tender chicken, and spicy andouille sausage is an easy, make-ahead, flavorful, one-pot recipe.
Found all along the Gulf Coast but especially in New Orleans and Southern Louisiana, this seafood jambalaya also includes perfectly seasoned long grain rice, iconic “holy trinity vegetables,” luscious tomatoes, and the bold punch of Creole seasoning.
Lemon Bliss Bundt Cake
Brighten your celebrations with this rich and moist Lemon Bliss Bundt Cake. It feels like springtime and tastes amazing under a layer of lemon glaze. Every piece is a surprise. Laissez les bon temps rouler!
Easy Mardi Gras Hot Muffuletta Dip
This easy hot muffuletta dip is a tantalizing dip made with tasty green olives, salami, provolone cheese, and tangy giardiniera. These yummy ingredients are combined with cream cheese to make a hot and delicious dip that is guaranteed to make you swoon and is perfect for a party.
Bite-Size King Cakes
Bite-Sized King Cakes are the perfect solution for those who want to enjoy the traditional taste of King Cake but on a much smaller scale. They are a fun and convenient option for Mardi Gras parties, festivities, or just a sweet treat.
I like to package my Bite-Sized King Cakes in clear plastic bags tied with purple, green, and yellow ribbon with Mardi Gras beads for an added treat to give to coworkers or friends.
Mardi Gras Macaroons
Laizzez les bons temps rouler with these melt-in-your-mouth macarons filled with a light and airy lemon buttercream.
Southern BBQ Shrimp and Cheese Grits
One taste of Southern BBQ Shrimp and Cheese Grits, a divine combination of creamy parmesan cheese grits and succulent, briny gulf shrimp sautéed in a bold and spicy BBQ sauce, and you will be transported to the French Quarter in New Orleans!
Shrimp Étouffée
Shrimp Étouffée is classic New Orleans at its best. It’s perfect for your Fat Tuesday dinner with spicy shrimp cooked in a delicious roux-based sauce.
Homemade Pecan Praline Ice Cream
A festive and decadent holiday dessert, luscious Pecan Pralines and Ice Cream will make a sweet ending to any meal! Sometimes it’s called Pralines and Cream Ice Cream, or even simply Praline Ice Cream, but no matter what you call it, the combination of pralines and cream is the perfect balance of richness and sweetness.
Mardi Gras King Cake
The King Cake is a quintessential confection that is decorated in Mardi Gras colors. Traditionally, a tiny plastic baby is hidden in the King Cake. Whoever ends up with the baby is named “King” for a day and bound by custom to host the next party and provide the King Cake.
Mardi Gras Snack Mix
This snack mix is simple to make, full of delicious sweet and savory treats, and festive with Mardi Gras’s colors, which are purple, green, and gold.
New Orleans Beignets
New Orleans Beignets – In New Orleans, beignets are a fried yeasted dough served with confectioners’ sugar on top. They are traditionally prepared right before they’re served to be eaten fresh and hot.
New Orleans-Style Shrimp Creole with Spicy Cajun Cream Sauce
A unique recipe, this New Orleans-style Shrimp Creole features succulent shrimp drenched in a Spicy Cajun Cream Sauce made with sour cream, tomato paste, and Creole or Cajun seasoning. Mushrooms, peppers, and tomatoes round out this mouth-watering Louisiana-inspired entree.
Old-Fashioned Pecan Pralines
Old-fashioned Pecan Pralines are a classic Southern candy and a unique treat. These luscious, crunchy bites of heaven taste a little like a combination of creamy butterscotch, caramel, and roasted pecans, all wrapped up in a sugary, fudgy package!
Red Beans and Rice
In New Orleans, red beans are a cultural tradition dating back hundreds of years. Through the years, Red Beans and Rice was the quintessential dish associated with Mondays. Whatever day of the week, however, Red Beans and Rice is sure to please the pickiest of eaters.
Cheesy Creole Shrimp Toast
Cheesy Creole Shrimp Toast is a delicious, quick, and easy (and mostly make-ahead) seafood appetizer perfect for a Mardi Gras party.
Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Boursin Grits
Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Boursin Grits is an easy-to-prepare but elegant dish to serve for any occasion. Succulent fresh shrimp are cooked to perfection in creamy garlic and parmesan sauce.
Spicy Buffalo Shrimp Po’Boy
What better way to celebrate Fat Tuesday than with my Spicy Buffalo Shrimp Po’Boy Sandwich, a quintessential New Orleans dish and a Po’Boy of your dreams?
Cajun Pork Boulettes with Spicy Dip
Cajun Pork Boulettes with Spicy Dip is an amazing appetizer. They are perfect for your Fat Tuesday celebrations and are easy to put together, albeit a bit time-consuming. The Cajun Pork Boulettes can be made ahead of time and freeze beautifully.
Classic Cajun Dirty Rice with Sausage
Classic southern comfort food at its finest, Dirty Rice is a delicious blend of cajun spices, vegetables, rice, sausage, and, yes, chicken livers. Hailing from Louisiana, this one-pot wonder can be served either as a side or main dish.
Chicken and Smoked Sausage Gumbo
Indulge in the rich, authentic flavors of New Orleans’s iconic gumbo without the guilt. This low-fat chicken and smoked sausage gumbo is a healthier twist on the classic Cajun dish.
Best Blackened Shrimp
In this flavor-packed Blackened Shrimp recipe, fresh shrimp are coated with a spicy blackening seasoning blend and pan-seared in butter until they are tender, juicy, and simply amazing. It’s the perfect low-carb main course or appetizer and takes just minutes to make.
Beef Grillades And Smoked Gouda Grits
Beef Grillades (pronounced gree-hahds) and Grits is a classic New Orleans dish. The beef is cooked in a flavorful gravy accented with onions, celery, bell pepper, and garlic until it is fork-tender. It’s made extra special when served with Smoked Gouda Grits.
New Orleans Shrimp Remoulade
Shrimp Remoulade (pronounced ruma-lahd) is a quintessential New Orleans dish composed of cold-boiled shrimp with a spicy mustard-based dressing. It is generally served as a first-course appetizer, making it perfect for Fat Tuesday celebrations.
Frequently asked questions
Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday,” is a festive celebration rooted in Christian traditions, marking the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.
Known for its vibrant parades, colorful masks, beads, and lively music, it’s a time of indulgence in food, drink, and revelry before the season of fasting. While celebrated worldwide, it’s most famously associated with New Orleans, Louisiana, where it showcases rich cultural traditions, including jazz music and iconic dishes like King Cake.
The first celebration in America took place on March 3, 1699
Mardi (French for Tuesday) Gras (French for Fat) refers to Shrove or Fat Tuesday, which is the day before Ash Wednesday. In reality, it refers to the Carnival celebrations that begin on January 6 (the Epiphany) and ends on Fat Tuesday which falls on Tuesday, March 4.
The traditional Mardi Gras colors are purple, green, and gold, and each has a specific meaning:
Purple: Represents justice.
Green: Represents faith.
Gold: Represents power.
These colors were chosen in 1892 for a Mardi Gras parade theme, “The Symbolism of Colors,” and have since become iconic symbols of the celebration. You’ll see them prominently displayed in decorations, costumes, beads, and floats during the festivities.
Mardi Gras is celebrated in many places around the world, but it is most famously associated with New Orleans, Louisiana. This city hosts grand parades, balls, and street parties that showcase its rich cultural heritage.
Other notable celebrations include:
Mobile, Alabama: The oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S., with its own unique traditions.
Venice, Italy: Known for its elaborate masks and sophisticated masquerade balls.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Famous for Carnival, a larger-than-life celebration with samba music, elaborate costumes, and massive parades.
Nice, France: Hosts the “Carnaval de Nice,” featuring flower parades and floats.
Binche, Belgium: Celebrates with traditional costumes and the tossing of oranges during parades.
Mardi Gras, or Carnival, is also observed in many Catholic-majority countries, including Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and parts of the Caribbean, as well as cities worldwide with French or Spanish heritage.
More Mardi Gras recipes and menu ideas
If you can’t make it to New Orleans to participate in the annual celebrations, here are more recipes you might like to make at home. Whether you are looking for appetizer, dinner, side dish, or dessert recipes, I have you covered.
For even more menu ideas, videos, and cooking tips check out all of my Mardi Gras Recipes.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ If you make any of these Mardi Gras recipes, I’d be thrilled to hear what you thought! Did you add your own twist or have a tip to share?
Drop a comment below—I read every one—and don’t forget to leave a star rating. Your feedback not only makes my day but also helps others find and perfect this recipe.
Thanks for stopping by Grits and Pinecones! Your visit means the world to me. I hope you’ll swing back soon for more Southern-inspired goodness. 💛
**This post was originally published on February 19, 2017.
Janice
OK I’m really excited to try out a number of these recipes! Putting together a Mardi Gras celebration, and look forward to sharing some of these recipes. Happy Mardi Gras and upcoming Easter. Thanks so much for sharing!
Michele Butler
Marvelous recipes with great added tips !