Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Heather Chadduck Hillegas. To make the meal come together even faster, you can cook the rice ahead of time and reheat it before serving. Once dinner's done, all you'll need is some hot sauce and plenty of crusty bread for mopping up all the rich, velvety sauce. From the Recipe Creator: I make a soup every year for Mardi Gras. I came up with this recipe because I wanted to use lots of vegetables to keep it healthy, but wanted it to be interesting. My wife suggested adding the andouille and now it’s one of my favorite Mardi Gras recipes. —Steven Thurner, Janesville, Wisconsin 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. 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. 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. Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox. It wouldn’t be a Mardi Gras meal without a king cake. This recipe doesn't need braiding or filling, but the celebratory dessert is still topped with a simple powdered sugar, lemon juice, and water glaze, and sprinkled with purple, green, and gold sanding sugar. 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 New Orleans is known for wild parties, beautiful architecture and some of the most flavorful food in the country. From shrimp to sausage to beignets, here is our list of New Orleans recipes perfect for a Mardi Gras party or any other time you want to let the good times roll. While Fat Tuesday itself is just one day, celebrations and parades go on for weeks beforehand in New Orleans and other cities. Mardi Gras is the time of festivity and feasting leading up to Lent (the 40-day period of fasting and abstaining before Easter Sunday) so it’s customary to celebrate with pull-out-the-stops meals and plenty of King Cake. Curate a menu of Mardi Gras food for celebrations throughout the season. From hearty jambalaya to spicy gumbo, fluffy beignets, and classic cocktails, these recipes originated in New Orleans or Celebrate Mardi Gras with the best flavors of New Orleans! From classic red beans and rice to rich crawfish étouffée, spicy boudin, and sweet treats like pralines and beignets, these Mardi Gras food ideas bring the party to your kitchen during Carnival and Fat Tuesday. That goes for your Mardi Gras party menu, too! Whether it's a feast worthy of Fat Tuesday or a humble bowl of gumbo, you can't go wrong. Our selection of festive foods includes New Orleans classics, such as the muffuletta and bread pudding, peppered with nontraditional picks like Crawfish Beignets and Cajun Chicken Pasta. Host a Mardi Gras dinner party that’s more about the New Orleans’ flavors and less about the “wild” factor. Set an elegant themed tablescape and serve traditional recipes and cocktails. This is perfect for a winter theme dinner party directly inspired by our visit to New Orleans. 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. From gumbo to king cake, these Mardi Gras food ideas will bring the flavors of the French Quarter straight to your table. Message Us Login Message us or call 800-385-0675 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 Bring the spirit of New Orleans to your table with these 13 must-try Mardi Gras food ideas! From classic dishes like jambalaya, gumbo, and shrimp and grits to festive Mardi Gras appetizers and a show-stopping king cake, these recipes are perfect for any celebration. thelucaszoo. Come Mardi Gras, king cake reigns above all else. "Better than bakery's! Living and eating in New Orleans for my entire life I was a bit skeptical if I could actually pull off a king cake," writes New Orleans local and home cook Laur5270, who recommends omitting the raisins to make the recipe more traditional. Mardi Gras Party Planning MADE EASY. Mardi Gras is a fun celebration with parades, costumes, music, and yummy food! It’s the perfect chance to enjoy spicy dishes, sweet treats like King Cake, and have a great time with friends. A Mardi Gras menu made for you means no stress over what to cook—just more time to enjoy the party! The Best Mardi Gras Food. After experiencing Mardi Gras in New Orleans, I’ve developed a newfound love for Southern food. The parties on Bourbon Street and in the French Quarter were unforgettable and the food was truly incredible. Each dish was packed with delicious flavor, and I admired the rich history and culture behind every bite.
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