10+ Louisiana Recipes to Savor and Share

Louisiana recipes bring a unique blend of flavors and traditions to the table, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of the region. The dishes reflect the culture, history, and diverse ingredients that make Louisiana cooking so special. From Cajun to Creole influences, the vibrant tastes will excite your palate and inspire your home cooking.

Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just looking for a cozy meal at home, Louisiana recipes offer something for everyone. You can easily find classic dishes that are both delicious and approachable, making it simple to bring a taste of Louisiana into your kitchen.

1) Gumbo with Andouille Sausage and Shrimp

Gumbo is a famous dish from Louisiana, known for its rich flavors. This version includes andouille sausage and shrimp, creating a tasty combination. The hearty stew is perfect over rice, making it a filling meal.

To start, you’ll need to prepare your ingredients. Chop vegetables like onions and bell peppers, and slice the sausage. The key to great gumbo is the roux, a mixture of flour and oil, cooked until brown.

Add your andouille sausage and cook until it’s browned. Then, include shrimp and let it simmer. The mix of spices enhances the flavor and gives it that traditional gumbo taste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 12 oz andouille sausage, sliced
• 1 pound medium shrimp, deveined
• Spices (like Cajun seasoning)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, heat the oil and whisk in flour. Cook until brown.
2. Add onion and bell pepper; sauté until soft.
3. Stir in andouille sausage and cook until browned.
4. Add shrimp and spices; simmer until shrimp is cooked through.
5. Serve over rice.

2) Classic New Orleans Beignets

New Orleans beignets are a delicious treat. These fried pastries are light, fluffy, and dusted with powdered sugar. Enjoy them warm, and they’re even better with a cup of coffee.

Making beignets is simple and fun. The dough requires basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and yeast. Once the dough rises, you can cut it into squares and fry them until golden brown.

The best part is the powdered sugar on top. It adds sweetness and makes them look authentic. Beignets are perfect for breakfast or dessert, bringing a taste of New Orleans to your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 cup warm whole milk (100°F or 37°C)
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• Oil for frying
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
2. Add flour, sugar, and salt to the bowl. Stir until combined.
3. Knead the dough for about 5 minutes until smooth.
4. Let the dough rise for 1-2 hours, until doubled in size.
5. Roll out the dough and cut into squares.
6. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
7. Fry the squares until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
8. Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy warm.

3) Creole Jambalaya

Creole jambalaya is a flavorful Louisiana classic. It combines rice with a mix of ingredients like chicken, shrimp, and andouille sausage. This dish is known for its rich taste and colorful appearance.

To make jambalaya, you’ll sauté vegetables like bell peppers and onions. Then, add your proteins and spices. Finally, combine everything with rice and let it cook until done.

This dish is perfect for gatherings and is customizable with your favorite ingredients. You can serve it with a side of crusty bread for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken, diced
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cups rice
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• Spices: paprika, thyme, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat.
2. Add onion and bell pepper; cook until soft.
3. Stir in chicken and sausage; cook until browned.
4. Add shrimp and cook until pink.
5. Mix in rice, broth, and tomatoes.
6. Add spices and bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes.
8. Fluff the rice and serve hot.

4) Authentic Crawfish Étouffée

Crawfish Étouffée is a classic dish from Louisiana. It features crawfish tails in a thick, flavorful sauce. This dish is perfect served over rice.

To start, make a roux by cooking flour and butter until it turns a nice golden brown. Then, add onions, bell peppers, and celery, known as the “holy trinity” in Cajun cooking. Stir in spices to build flavor.

Next, you will add the crawfish and let them cook in the sauce. Serve the étouffée hot over the rice for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup butter
• ½ cup flour
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 3 cups crawfish tails
• 4 cups chicken broth
• Spices (like cayenne and paprika)
• 3 cups cooked rice

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Stir in flour to make a roux, cooking until golden brown.
3. Add onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook until soft.
4. Mix in spices and crawfish tails.
5. Pour in chicken broth and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Serve hot over rice.

5) Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage

Red beans and rice with smoked sausage is a classic Louisiana dish. This meal is hearty and filled with flavor, making it a perfect choice for any day.

To start, you’ll need red beans, smoked sausage, and some spices. The combination brings a comforting taste that many love.

You can cook this dish slowly to really develop the flavors. Letting it simmer allows the beans to become creamy while absorbing all the smoky goodness from the sausage.

This recipe can be easily made in a single pot, making cleanup quick and easy. It’s a great meal to share with family or friends.

Ingredients

• 1 cup red beans
• 1 pound smoked sausage (like andouille)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 4 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked rice for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse and soak the beans overnight.
2. In a pot, cook the sausage over medium heat until browned.
3. Add onion and garlic, cooking until soft.
4. Stir in Cajun seasoning and soaked beans.
5. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat and let simmer for about 1.5 hours until beans are tender.
7. Serve over cooked rice. Enjoy!

6) Classic Buttermilk Pie

Classic buttermilk pie is a delicious dessert, perfect for any occasion. The pie has a flaky crust and a creamy, custard-like filling. It’s easy to make and is sure to please your family and friends.

To make this pie, you will need a few simple ingredients. The buttermilk provides a unique flavor that sets this dessert apart. You can enjoy it plain or topped with whipped cream for extra sweetness.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar together until smooth.
3. Add the eggs and mix well.
4. Stir in the buttermilk, flour, vanilla, and salt.
5. Pour the mixture into a pie crust and bake for 30-35 minutes.
6. Let it cool before serving. Enjoy!

7) Spicy Cajun Shrimp Boil

A spicy Cajun shrimp boil brings a taste of Louisiana right to your kitchen. This dish is colorful and full of flavor, perfect for gatherings or family meals. You’ll enjoy the mix of shrimp, sausage, and fresh vegetables.

Start with a large pot and add water, seasoning, and all your ingredients. You can use shrimp, andouille sausage, potatoes, corn, and eggs. The key is to let everything boil together to absorb the delicious spices.

When ready, serve it all on a big tray for everyone to enjoy! Don’t forget to have some napkins handy—it’s going to get messy but delicious.

Ingredients:

• 3 gallons water
• 1 cup Cajun seasoning
• 2 lbs shrimp
• 1 lb andouille sausage
• 4 ears of corn, cut in half
• 6 medium potatoes
• 4 eggs, hard boiled

Cooking Instructions:

1. Boil water in a large pot.
2. Add Cajun seasoning and stir.
3. Add potatoes; cook for 10 minutes.
4. Add sausage; cook for 5 minutes.
5. Add corn and eggs; cook for 5 minutes.
6. Finally, add shrimp; cook until they turn pink.

8) Traditional Boudin Sausage

Boudin sausage is a delicious Cajun dish that combines pork, rice, and spices. This flavorful sausage is packed with the essence of Louisiana cuisine.

You start by cooking finely diced pork and mixing it with rice, green onions, bell peppers, and spices like cayenne. Some recipes include chicken or pig’s liver for added richness.

Boudin is typically stuffed into a natural casing and cooked until it’s fully done. You can enjoy it on its own or use it as a filling for other dishes.

Ingredients

• 1 pound cooked pork
• 1 cup cooked rice
• ½ cup green onions, chopped
• ½ cup bell pepper, diced
• ½ cup celery, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Salt to taste
• 1 pound sausage casings (if using)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pork, rice, green onions, bell pepper, celery, and cayenne.
2. Mix everything well and season with salt.
3. Stuff the mixture into casings if desired.
4. Cook in boiling water at 190°F (88°C) for 20-30 minutes until done.

9) Creole Shrimp and Grits

Creole shrimp and grits is a delicious dish that brings a taste of Louisiana to your table. This recipe combines spicy shrimp with creamy, cheesy grits for a satisfying meal.

Start by cooking the grits until they are thick and creamy. While the grits cook, prepare your shrimp with Creole seasoning for that authentic flavor.

Sauté onions, peppers, and spices in a pan. Then, add the seasoned shrimp and cook until they are pink and cooked through.

Serve the shrimp over the grits and drizzle with a bit of sauce for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons Creole seasoning
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water in a pot and add a pinch of salt.
2. Slowly whisk in grits and reduce heat.
3. Cook grits for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
5. Sauté onions and bell peppers until soft.
6. Add shrimp and sprinkle with Creole seasoning.
7. Cook shrimp until pink, about 3-5 minutes.
8. Stir cheese into cooked grits.
9. Serve shrimp over grits and enjoy!

10) Stuffed Whole Flounder with Gulf Shrimp

Stuffed whole flounder is a classic Louisiana dish that brings together fresh Gulf shrimp and delicious flavors. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare this savory meal.

To start, clean and prepare the flounder. Then mix your shrimp with spices, breadcrumbs, and herbs for a tasty stuffing. Stuff the flounder generously with this mixture before baking it.

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 30 to 35 minutes. The fish will be tender, and the stuffing will be perfectly seasoned.

Ingredients

• 1 whole flounder, cleaned
• 1 cup Gulf shrimp, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup celery, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Lemon slices, for garnish

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Clean and pat dry the flounder.

3. In a bowl, mix chopped shrimp, breadcrumbs, onion, bell pepper, celery, parsley, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.

4. Stuff the flounder with the shrimp mixture.

5. Place the stuffed flounder in a baking dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

6. Garnish with lemon slices before serving.