10+ Mardi Gras Recipes to Celebrate with Flavor

Mardi Gras is a lively celebration filled with music, parades, and delicious food.

As you prepare to join in the festivities, it’s important to have some tasty recipes on hand.

These Mardi Gras recipes will help you bring the spirit of New Orleans into your kitchen, allowing you to enjoy the flavors of the season.

Whether you are hosting a party or enjoying a quiet night at home, embracing the culinary delights of Mardi Gras can elevate your experience.

From classic dishes to sweet treats, there’s something for everyone to enjoy as you celebrate this vibrant occasion.

1) Bisquick Beignets

Making Bisquick beignets is quick and easy. You can enjoy these fluffy treats with a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top. They are perfect for a Mardi Gras celebration or a sweet snack anytime.

To start, mix Bisquick and milk until a dough forms. Then, heat oil in a deep fryer or pan over medium heat.

Once the oil is hot, grab bite-size amounts of dough and drop them in.

Cook for about 2-3 minutes until they turn a golden brown.

Remove them from the oil and dust with powdered sugar. Enjoy your delicious homemade beignets!

Ingredients

• 2 cups Bisquick mix
• 2/3 cup milk
• Oil for frying
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix Bisquick and milk in a bowl to form a dough.
2. Heat oil to about 350°F (175°C).
3. Drop small pieces of dough into the hot oil.
4. Fry for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
5. Remove and dust with powdered sugar before serving.

2) French Quarter Cheese Spread

French Quarter Cheese Spread is a delicious addition to any Mardi Gras celebration. This creamy treat is perfect for spreading on crackers or bread.

You’ll start with a base of softened cream cheese. Adding minced garlic and grated onion gives it a nice flavor.

For a sweet touch, top it with a mixture of toasted pecans and brown sugar.

This spread brings together savory and sweet flavors, making it a hit at parties. Serve it warm for an extra special touch.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon grated onion
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 cup (57 grams) butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup (30 grams) toasted pecans
• 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix cream cheese, onion, and garlic until smooth.
2. In a small pan, melt butter and mix with brown sugar.
3. Add pecans to the butter mixture and stir.
4. Pour the pecan mixture over the cream cheese spread.
5. Serve warm with crackers or bread.

3) Creole Shrimp Boil

A Creole shrimp boil is a fun and flavorful dish that’s perfect for gatherings. You get shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn all cooked together in one pot. It’s an easy way to bring a taste of the South to your table.

To make this dish, you’ll start by boiling water with spices. Then, add your potatoes and let them cook until they’re tender.

Next, toss in the corn and sausage, followed by the shrimp.

Cook everything until the shrimp turns pink and opaque.

This meal is wonderful for sharing and can be served right on the table. Enjoy it with friends, and don’t forget the dipping sauce!

Ingredients

• 1 pound shrimp, cleaned
• 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
• 2 cups small potatoes
• 2 ears of corn, cut into pieces
• 4 tablespoons Creole seasoning
• 1 lemon, halved
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
2. Add Creole seasoning and potatoes.
3. Cook potatoes until tender, about 15 minutes.
4. Add corn and sausage to the pot.
5. Cook for another 5 minutes.
6. Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 3-5 minutes.
7. Serve with lemon wedges.

4) Classic Gumbo with Andouille Sausage

Classic gumbo is a rich stew that brings warmth and flavor to your table. This dish features andouille sausage, which adds a smoky taste. You can also include chicken or seafood to make it even heartier.

To start, make a dark roux by mixing flour and oil. This gives the gumbo its signature flavor and color.

Next, sauté onions, bell peppers, and celery to create a solid base.

Add your andouille sausage and let it cook with the vegetables. Then stir in the broth and seasonings.

Allow it to simmer until all the flavors combine.

Serve your gumbo over rice for a complete meal. Enjoy every spoonful of this classic dish!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 lb andouille sausage, sliced
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked rice (for serving)

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat.
2. Whisk in the flour and stir until the roux is dark brown.
3. Add the onion, bell pepper, and celery, and cook until softened.
4. Stir in the andouille sausage and cook for a few more minutes.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and add Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
7. Serve over cooked rice. Enjoy!

5) Strawberry and Cream Cheese King Cake

This Strawberry and Cream Cheese King Cake is a tasty twist on the classic recipe. The fluffy cake is filled with a creamy mix of strawberries and cream cheese, creating a delightful flavor.

To start, you’ll want fresh strawberries for the filling. The cream cheese adds a rich, smooth texture that pairs perfectly with the fruit.

The cake gets a sweet glaze on top, making it even more tempting. As you prepare this treat, you can enjoy the wonderful smells filling your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 package of King Cake dough
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Icing for glaze

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Roll out the dough and spread the cream cheese mixture on top.
4. Add chopped strawberries evenly over the cream cheese.
5. Roll the dough and shape it into a wreath.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden.
7. Let cool and drizzle with icing.

6) New Orleans Shrimp Étouffée

New Orleans Shrimp Étouffée is a delicious dish that you can easily make at home. This recipe brings together the flavors of shrimp, vegetables, and spices in a rich sauce. It’s perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras or any occasion.

You’ll use a mix of ingredients like onions, bell peppers, and celery, known as the “holy trinity” of Cajun cooking. The dish gets its flavor from a blend of Cajun seasoning and a nice tomato base.

Cooking this dish is straightforward, and it will fill your kitchen with wonderful aromas. Serve it over rice for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil or lard
• 1/4 heaping cup flour
• 1 large rib celery, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 to 2 jalapeño peppers, chopped
• Fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
2. Stir in the flour to make a roux, cooking until it turns golden brown.
3. Add the chopped vegetables and sauté until soft.
4. Mix in the shrimp and cook until they are pink.
5. Serve over rice, and enjoy!

7) Homemade Muffuletta Sandwich

A homemade Muffuletta sandwich is perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras. This classic New Orleans sandwich is packed with layers of meats and cheeses. You will enjoy the mix of flavors that come from the olive salad.

Start with a round Italian loaf, cut it in half. Layer Genoa salami, capicola, and provolone cheese on the bottom half. Then, add an olive salad made from chopped olives, peppers, and garlic for that authentic taste.

Press down the top half of the bread gently. Cut the sandwich into wedges for serving. This dish is great for parties or a festive meal.

Ingredients

• Round Italian loaf
• Genoa salami
• Capicola
• Provolone cheese
• Olive salad (chopped olives, roasted peppers, garlic)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the Italian loaf in half.
2. Layer the salami, capicola, and provolone on the bottom half.
3. Spread the olive salad over the meats.
4. Place the top half on the sandwich.
5. Press down gently and cut into wedges.

8) Bananas Foster with Vanilla Ice Cream

Bananas Foster is a delicious dessert, perfect for Mardi Gras. This warm treat combines caramelized bananas with a rich rum sauce and is served over creamy vanilla ice cream. It’s a crowd-pleaser that is sure to impress your guests.

To make this dish, start by melting butter in a skillet. Add brown sugar and cinnamon, stirring until combined.

Next, slice your bananas and add them to the pan. Cook until they are tender.

Finally, add dark rum to the mixture and let it flambé for a dramatic touch. Serve the warm bananas over scoops of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy this sweet indulgence!

Ingredients

• ¼ cup butter
• ⅔ cup dark brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 3 bananas, sliced
• ¼ cup pecan halves
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
• 4 scoops vanilla ice cream

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Stir in brown sugar and cinnamon until dissolved.
3. Add sliced bananas and cook until tender.
4. Pour in dark rum and ignite to flambé.
5. Serve the banana mixture over vanilla ice cream.

9) Spicy Cajun Jambalaya

Spicy Cajun jambalaya is a vibrant and hearty dish that brings the flavors of Louisiana to your kitchen. This one-pot meal combines meat, rice, and spices for a satisfying dinner.

To start, you’ll need smoked andouille sausage and chicken for a protein boost. The Cajun seasoning adds that famous kick, while bell peppers and onions provide freshness.

As you cook, the rice absorbs the rich flavors from the meats and spices. It’s simple to prepare and perfect for gatherings.

Ingredients

• 9 ounces smoked andouille sausage, sliced
• 6 ounces chicken, diced
• 1 cup long-grain rice
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add sausage and chicken, cooking until browned.
3. Stir in onion and bell pepper, cooking until soft.
4. Add rice and Cajun seasoning, mixing well.
5. Pour in chicken broth, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the rice is cooked.

10) Oyster Stew

Oyster stew is a classic dish that brings the flavors of the sea right to your bowl. It’s rich, creamy, and perfect for any Mardi Gras celebration. With just a few ingredients, you can create a warm and comforting meal.

The key ingredients for this stew include fresh oysters, milk, and some seasonings. You can also add vegetables like celery and green onions for extra flavor.

To make it, start by cooking your vegetables in butter. Then, add in the oysters and their liquor, along with milk. Heat everything gently until the oysters are cooked.

Ingredients

• 64 ounces fresh oysters with liquor
• 1 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup sliced celery
• 1 cup green onion
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt butter in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add celery and green onion, cooking until soft.
3. Pour in the oysters and their liquor.
4. Add milk and season with salt and pepper.
5. Heat until the oysters are cooked through.