30 Best Mardi Gras Foods to Celebrate Fat Tuesday in the Most Delicious Way
Get the party started with these traditional and comforting New Orleans recipes.
If there’s one image we associate with Mardi Gras in New Orleans, it’s parades. The dancing, the floats and the seas of purple, yellow and green are enticement enough to hightail it straight to the French Quarter come Fat Tuesday. But that’s not the only parade we’re thinking of: There’s also the endless stream of incredible dishes, many of which draw influence from French, African and Caribbean cuisines, among others. If you can’t make it to Bourbon Street this year though, you can at least try your hand at some of these iconic Mardi Gras recipes.
Consider this list our ode to the big flavors of the Big Easy, from comfort food like fried oyster-stuffed po-boys and rib-sticking stews to classic cocktails. You'll also find tons of fresh seafood, bountiful rice dishes and hearty sandwiches. End the day on a sweet note with treats like sugar-dusted beignets and bananas foster.
Not sure where to start? If you're only going to make one thing, try king cake, a Mardi Gras tradition. According to the Christian faith, Jesus first appeared to the Three Wise Men on the night referred to as the Epiphany (also known as Three Kings Day or Twelfth Night). This is the day Mardi Gras season officially kicks off, and when revelers start eating king cake. Some bakers put a miniature plastic baby, symbolizing the baby Jesus, inside of the cake. While you can eat almost all of these dishes any time of year, this colorful ring-shaped cake is a true Mardi Gras food — meaning some consider it sacrilege to eat it before Three Kings Day. So study up on some quintessential Mardi Gras facts, then get your grocery lists ready: It’s almost Fat Tuesday.
King Cake
This sweet, yeasted King Cake recipe is a classic for Mardi Gras. Plastic baby optional!
Get the King Cake recipe.
Saucy Creole-Inspired Shrimp
Sweet, succulent shrimp simmered in zesty Creole seasoning makes for an unbeatable combination.
Get the Saucy Creole Shrimp recipe.
RELATED: 28 Healthy and Delicious Ways to Eat All the Shrimp
Brioche Bread Pudding with Bourbon-Caramel Sauce
Bread pudding wasn’t invented in NOLA, but they sure know how to do it right. This version goes over the top with a buttery bourbon-spiked caramel sauce.
Get the Brioche Bread Pudding with Bourbon-Caramel Sauce recipe.
Mint Julep
This refreshing bourbon cocktail is the perfect match for a spicy Creole or Cajun feast.
Get the Mint Julep recipe.
Oysters with Mustard-Horseradish Relish
Oysters are a staple of the Gulf. Try topping them with this fresh, spicy horseradish-based sauce.
Shaved Ice
Snowballs are a popular treat in New Orleans, made from shaved ice flavored with sweet syrups. Try this lemon-raspberry option!
Get the Shaved Ice recipe.
Blackened Fish with Green Rice
Cajun spices like paprika, garlic powder and cayenne bring the Big Easy's bold flavors to this tilapia dish.
Pecan Pralines
No Mardi Gras fete's menu would be complete without a pecan-filled treat, and these pralines hit the spot after a spicy meal.
Get the Pecan Pralines recipe.
New Orleans Cajun Beef and Grits
While it may be spring in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, many parts of the country are still stuck in winter. Warm up with this cozy, comforting dish.
Ramos Gin Fizz
Egg white and heavy cream make for a frothy, creamy-textured drink. This one feels ultra old-school — and very New Orleans.
Get the Ramos Gin Fizz recipe.
Easy Beignets
Beignets buried in powdered sugar are worth the trip to New Orleans alone. Tide yourself over with these equally drool-worthy homemade ones.
Get the Easy Beignets recipe from Delish.
Hurricane Cocktail
A New Orleans classic made with rum, fresh citrus and passionfruit juice, this sweet cocktail gets the party started.
Get the Hurricane Cocktail recipe from Delish.
Gumbo
The official dish of Louisiana, gumbo generally consists of meat or shellfish simmered in stock and thickened with flour. Our hearty version uses chicken and sausage.
Get the Gumbo recipe from Woman's Day.
Muffuletta
This massive sandwich is a NOLA original, and is typically filled with cold cuts, cheese and olive salad. The only rule? Don't skimp on the filling!
Get the Muffuletta recipe from Woman's Day.
Jambalaya
This dish comes from 18th century Spanish settlers in Louisiana, who tried to replicate their familiar paella. The result mixes in French and African influences, and is completely delicious.
Get the Jambalaya recipe from Woman's Day.
Po Boy Style Shrimp Burgers with Cajun Spiced Tots
Pair juicy Cajun-seasoned shrimp burgers with spicy tots for a fun, New Orleans-inspired dinner.
Get the Po Boy Style Shrimp Burgers with Cajun Spiced Tots recipe from Woman's Day.
RELATED: 33 Unique, Homemade Burger Recipes to Cook on Repeat
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
With Creole seasoning and two types of sausage, this delicious stew does not shy away from flavor.
Get the Chicken and Sausage Gumbo recipe from Woman's Day.
Bananas Foster
This iconic dessert of bananas flambeed with rum and sugar owes its creation to the legendary Bourbon Street restaurant Brennan’s. Serve with vanilla ice cream — for historical accuracy, of course.
Get the Bananas Foster recipe from Delish.
Crawfish Boudin Balls
This crispy fried snack is typically stuffed with meat and rice, but our version uses crawfish (you can sub shrimp if you'd like!) for a true taste of the Big Easy.
Get the Crawfish Boudin Balls recipe from Country Living.
RELATED: 50+ Easy Appetizers and Snacks to Get the Party Started
Drunk Grasshoppers
Tujague's restaurant in New Orleans is credited with inventing this sweet and minty cocktail... that doubles as dessert.
Get the Drunk Grasshoppers recipe from Delish.
Samantha (she/her) is the Senior Editor at Delish, where she edits the most-talked-about food news and features on the internet. In her previous role as Assistant Editor in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, she taste-tested hundreds of products and recipes (tough job!). A graduate of Fordham University, she considers the kitchen to be her happiest place.
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