These recipes make any day a party, whether you're whipping up New Orleans classics like shrimp étouffée or an unexpected mash-up like warm gumbo dip. No collection of Mardi Gras recipes would be complete without sweets, like our Praline-Cream Cheese King Cake or King Cake Beignets. Take a look through our recipes for best Fat Tuesday recipes Mardi Gras refers to events of the Carnival celebration leading up to the Christian period called Lent. A direct contrast to Lent's self-reflective, sacrificing feel, Mardi Gras celebrates the joy of life through music, revelry, and most importantly, food. These recipes are great for the Mardi Gras season and beyond. True, these are the best recipes for celebrating the Mardi Gras season—but these simple and reliable recipes for New Orleans classics like gumbo, étouffée, po' boys, jambalaya, and Bananas Foster are perfect for any Tuesday of the year (not just Fat Tuesday). If you're looking to get creative with your Mardi Gras foods, try Ree Drummond's twist on Cajun pasta or whip up some Mardi Gras desserts like the spritz cookies that look like mini king cakes. And while Mardi Gras falls on March 4 in 2025, you can also enjoy these delicious New Orleans-inspired dishes for your family dinners all year long. Get a taste of the Big Easy with the best recipes for Mardi Gras. Whether it's king cake, beignets or muffuletta, these classic Mardi Gras recipes are so good, you'll be making them long after Fat Tuesday is over. When Mardi Gras rolls in, the streets of New Orleans come alive with jazz, parades, and pure energy. And what’s a celebration without incredible food? From bold Creole flavors to hearty Cajun classics, these 32 New Orleans-inspired recipes bring the taste of the Big Easy straight to your kitchen. 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. March 4 is Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday), the last day of Carnival season just before Lent, which is the 40-day period during which many people spend in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Naturally Serve this muffuletta-style olive spread with crackers, cheese, and deli meat to create the ultimate Mardi Gras charcuterie board. "A nice addition to a pasta salad, a cheese board, or spooned on to grilled fish, pork, or chicken," recipe creator lutzflcat says. With these easy Mardi Gras recipes, you can bring the fun of Bourbon St. and the colorful festivities of Carnival to your own backyard. Mardi Gras is a day for feasting and celebration, when you should let loose and enjoy literally EVERYTHING New Orleans has to offer – and that goes double for the food! Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry. Serve fresh veggies and peel-and-eat shrimp with Old Bay rémoulade for a light, tasty appetizer as an ode to summer days by the water. Mardi Gras Hot Muffuletta Dip. Cheesy Chicken and Shrimp Jambalaya Hot Dip. King Cake Cheese Ball for Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras Snack Mix. Muffuletta Deviled Eggs. Muffuletta Pinwheels. Glazed Chicken Minis. Oysters Rockefeller. Mardi Gras Grilled Oysters. Smoked Andouille Sausage and Cream Cheese Rolls. Crawfish Beignets With Cajun Dipping Sauce These Mardi Gras appetizer recipes will keep you out of the kitchen, are sure to get your party started, and will keep the good times rolling all night long. 25 Easy Mardi Gras Desserts 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. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1 lb andouille sausage, sliced; 1 onion, chopped; 1 bell pepper, chopped; 2 celery stalks, chopped Store and/or access information on a device. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Mardi Gras foods are all about rich, comforting, and flavorful Southern dishes that bring people together. Classic New Orleans favorites include red beans and rice, crawfish étouffée, jambalaya, and gumbo —all packed with bold Creole and Cajun spices. Transport your party to New Orleans with these Mardi Gras desserts. Yes, beignets and king cake are classic options, but there are plenty of other rich foods that capture the Big Easy vibe! Celebrate Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras with 35 of our favorite recipes, including gumbo, jambalaya, and bananas foster. Don't skip the beignets and bananas foster for dessert. Whether you call it Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, or Shrove Tuesday, here, food and religion marry together for one last pre-Lent hurrah. Feel free to take your pick from these recipes—just indulge responsibly.
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