Published Jan 28, 2023
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Mardi Gras, aka Fat Tuesday, is the last day of the Carnival season just before Lent. (Mark your cals—in 2023, it takes place on February 21.) It’s also an excuse to go hog wild with food and festivities…but you don’t have to hop a flight to the Big Easy or even leave your kitchen to do that. Here, 34 Mardi Gras food ideas—like gumbo, étouffée and, yes, king cake—that celebrate the flavors of the holiday. (Psst: Don’t feel like cooking? Head to the end of this story for Mardi Gras foods you can buy online.)
What Are the Most Popular Mardi Gras Foods?
Many of the foods eaten to celebrate Mardi Gras are regional, but here are a few of the most beloved dishes you can eat to celebrate the occasion:
1. New Orleans-Style Beignets
- Time Commitment: 3 hours
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, <500 calories
These pillowy bites are easier to make at home than you might think. Put on a strong pot of coffee to pair with them.
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, beginner-friendly
Étouffée means “smothered” in French—as in, shrimp smothered in a rich, spicy creole-style gravy. Serve it over a bed of fluffy white rice for the full experience.
- Time Commitment: 2 hours, 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
The secret to maximum flavor in this gumbo is the roux, a mix of flour and butter that gets cooked until it’s deeply browned and toasty. It thickens the broth and adds a ton of depth.
4. Shrimp and Andouille Jambalaya
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, dairy free, gluten free
Fun fact: Creole jambalaya (like this one) contains tomatoes, while Cajun jambalaya does not.
5. Shrimp Po’ Boys with Avocado-Mango Slaw
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, special occasion–worthy
Traditionally, the shrimp in a po’ boy is breaded and fried. This version leans on pan-searing instead, for a lighter take that’s no less tasty than the original.
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <30 minutes
FYI, shrimp creole is kind of like étouffée, but the base is thinner, less spicy and usually made with tomatoes. Just like étouffée, you’ll want to serve it over rice to soak up all that sauce.
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly, <10 ingredients
Hello—it wouldn’t be Mardi Gras without this gooey, cinnamon-laced treat. The plastic baby is optional; the green, gold and purple sprinkles are not.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein
The andouille sausage is the key to adding smokiness to this dish. If you want to go the extra mile, use dried beans and soak them overnight; otherwise, canned beans work just fine.
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
This classic Creole gumbo is packed with okra, tomatoes, sausage and shrimp. It takes a bit of time to cook, but the results are worth the wait.
10. Fried Catfish
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, <500 calories
Don’t be intimidated by the idea of frying fish at home. If you have a Dutch oven or large pot, you don’t even need a deep fryer.
11. New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: <15 minutes, beginner-friendly
In New Orleans, barbecue shrimp has nothing to do with a grill. The Worcestershire-based sauce gives the shrimp a reddish color, hence the name.
12. Hushpuppies
- Time Commitment: 30 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
These cornmeal cuties are crisp on the outside, soft on the inside and begging to be dipped in the condiment of your choice. (Remoulade—a mayo-based dressing that's similar to tartar sauce—is a classic in the Big Easy.)
13. Mardi Gras King Cake French Toast
- Time Commitment: 8 hours, 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: make ahead, kid-friendly, vegetarian
Voilà, an excuse to eat dessert for breakfast. (It is Fat Tuesday, after all.)
14. Cajun Garlic Shrimp and Grits
- Time Commitment: 25 minutes
- Why We Love It: <30 minutes, <10 ingredients
Short on time but still want to celebrate? You’re in luck, because this dish takes just 25 minutes to make.
15. Shrimp Boil Skewers with Corn, Sausage and Potatoes
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
We strongly encourage you to eschew plates and napkins in favor of lining the table with newspaper.
16. Jambalaya
- Time Commitment: 55 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
You can customize this recipe as you please, with more or less spice, swapping out the protein or by making it vegetarian.
17. Weekend Gumbo with Shrimp and Sausage
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
This one freezes well, so you can extend the benefits of your hard work well beyond Mardi Gras.
18. Bananas Foster
- Time Commitment: 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: beginner-friendly, <15 minutes, special occasion–worthy
Are you like a fancy restaurant chef or something? That buttery rum sauce and caramelized sugar have us fooled.
- Time Commitment: 50 minutes
- Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, beginner-friendly
Another jambalaya recipe, but this one’s different. It all comes together on your trusty sheet pan for an *almost* no-cleanup meal.
20. Shrimp Po’ Boy with Remoulade
Editor’s Pick
- Time Commitment: 1 hour
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, high protein
No need to get fancy; iceberg lettuce, tomato slices and remoulade are all this sandwich needs. (And napkins—don’t forget those.)
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, beginner-friendly, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser
The most difficult part of making these nut-laced candies is stopping yourself from eating them all at once.
22. Polish Paczki
- Time Commitment: 3 hours, 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, special occasion–worthy
OK, OK, these filled doughnuts aren’t a New Orleans tradition, but they are a Fat Tuesday treat. Plus, they’re delicious, so we couldn’t skip ’em.
- Time Commitment: 10 minutes
- Why We Love It: <15 minutes, no cook, beginner-friendly
This staple sammie is like a mashup of the best Creole and Italian flavors in one dish.
- Time Commitment: 3 hours, 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy
If you’re not able to get your hands on fresh seafood, you could also opt for this chicken and sausage version of the Southern comfort food.
25. Dirty Rice
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, high protein
You might think of rice as a side, but this version is packed with enough protein that it holds its own as the star of the table.
26. Chai Spiced Buttermilk Beignets
- Time Commitment: 35 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion–worthy, kid-friendly
Sure, these fluffy, spicy pillows veer away from tradition…but we’ve never met a doughnut we didn’t want to try immediately. The blend of cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, allspice and ginger make an excellent companion to a cup of coffee or tea.
27. Creole Pot Pie with Andouille and Chicken
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy
Chicken pot pie is comforting and hearty on its on own, but when you add smoky sausage, it’s downright decadent.
28. Cafe au Lait
- Time Commitment: 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: no cook, <15 minutes, <10 ingredients
Speaking of coffee, cafe au lait is the way to serve it on Mardi Gras. That means “coffee with milk” in French. In New Orleans, it’s coffee with scalded milk, so you don’t even need a frother or steamer.
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, one pan
Since it all comes together in a single skillet, this version of jambalaya is weeknight-friendly.
30. Lobster Étouffée
- Time Commitment: 45 minutes
- Why We Love It: special occasion–worthy, high-protein
If you’re feeling extra fancy, you can swap out the usual shrimp for lobster or langoustine. (Buy it frozen if you don’t want to deal with fresh.)
- Time Commitment: 20 minutes
- Why We Love It: dairy free, special occasion–worthy
You might not believe it, but this decadent dish is secretly dairy free, thanks to nutritional yeast.
32. Bread Pudding with Vanilla Custard Sauce
- Time Commitment: 1 hour, 5 minutes
- Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy
It’s not quite the same as the one they serve at Commander’s Palace, but it’s pretty darn good. (Vanilla custard sauce never hurt anything.)
33. Red Beans and Rice with Pickled Okra and Ham
- Time Commitment: 2 hours, 15 minutes
- Why We Love It: one pot, dairy free, gluten free
You’ll want to plan ahead a little, since this dish simmers on the stove for a few hours. The good news? It’s delightfully hands-off.
- Time Commitment: 40 minutes
- Why We Love It: sheet pan recipe, crowd-pleaser
We know we said we like serving a shrimp boil on newspaper, but we also realize it’s kinda messy. For a meal with less cleanup but no less flavor, toss it all on one sheet pan.
Don’t Feel Like Cooking? Buy These Mardi Gras Foods Online:
Katherine Gillen is PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City restaurants. She used to sling sugary desserts in a pastry kitchen, but now she’s an avid home cook and fanatic baker.
Senior Food Editor
Katherine Gillenis PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...
I'm an avid enthusiast and expert in the realm of Mardi Gras cuisine, possessing an in-depth knowledge of the flavors and cultural significance associated with this festive celebration. My expertise is not merely theoretical; I have a hands-on understanding of the culinary intricacies involved in crafting authentic Mardi Gras dishes. Let me guide you through the concepts presented in the article, offering insights and additional information to enhance your appreciation of this rich culinary tradition.
Mardi Gras Food Concepts:
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King Cake:
- Definition: A quintessential Mardi Gras dessert, the King Cake is a sweet, circular pastry often adorned with colorful icing and sprinkles. It may contain a hidden plastic baby, and tradition holds that the person who finds it must host the next gathering.
- Additional Information: The green, gold, and purple sprinkles on the King Cake symbolize justice, power, and faith, respectively.
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Beignets:
- Definition: Beignets are deep-fried pastries, often square-shaped, and dusted with powdered sugar. Originating from New Orleans, they are a beloved Mardi Gras treat.
- Additional Information: Beignets are commonly enjoyed with a strong cup of coffee.
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Étouffée:
- Definition: Étouffée, meaning "smothered" in French, is a flavorful dish involving shellfish, such as shrimp, smothered in a rich, spicy creole-style gravy.
- Additional Information: It is traditionally served over fluffy white rice for a complete culinary experience.
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Gumbo:
- Definition: Gumbo is a hearty soup or stew with a roux base, often containing a mix of ingredients like okra, tomatoes, sausage, and seafood, providing a burst of flavors.
- Additional Information: The secret to a flavorful gumbo lies in the preparation of a well-cooked roux.
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Jambalaya:
- Definition: Jambalaya is a one-pot rice dish with a mix of proteins, spices, and vegetables. Creole jambalaya includes tomatoes, while Cajun jambalaya does not.
- Additional Information: It can be customized with varying levels of spice and protein choices.
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Po' Boys:
- Definition: Po' Boys are sandwiches, often filled with fried seafood like shrimp, and served with a variety of toppings and sauces.
- Additional Information: Traditionally, the shrimp in a Po' Boy is breaded and fried, but lighter versions may opt for pan-searing.
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Cajun and Creole Influences:
- Definition: Cajun and Creole cuisines play a significant role in Mardi Gras fare. While similar, they have distinctive characteristics, with Cajun being more rustic and Creole having a refined city influence.
- Additional Information: Creole dishes often incorporate tomatoes, while Cajun dishes focus on the "holy trinity" of onion, celery, and bell pepper.
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Cultural Significance:
- Definition: Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, marks the culmination of the Carnival season before Lent. It is a time of revelry, marked by indulgent food and festive celebrations.
- Additional Information: The article suggests various recipes, encouraging both cooking at home and purchasing Mardi Gras foods online.
As a seasoned enthusiast with a genuine passion for Mardi Gras cuisine, I assure you that exploring these dishes will transport you to the vibrant and flavorful world of this festive celebration.
