Mardi Gras Food Ideas

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Let the celebrations begin with these tried-and-true Mardi Gras food ideas! They’re big on bold, spicy, and zesty Creole and Cajun southern flavors — perfect for entertaining a party for Carnival or “Fat Tuesday.”

Cajun chicken with mashed potatoes

The Best Mardi Gras Food

After experiencing Mardi Gras in New Orleans, I have a new profound love for Southern food. The parties themselves down Bourbon Street or the French Quarter were out of this world. And the food I ate along the way had so much flavor. So, here I am, excited to bring a taste of New Orleans back into your kitchens with these delicious Mardi Gras recipes!

I’ll be adding more in the future, but here are a few Southern classics that are loved by all and perfect for feasting before Ash Wednesday.

Jambalaya in a big white pot

Jambalaya: A big pot of jambalaya is one of the best meals to celebrate Mardi Gras. It’s a hearty blend of chicken, sausage, shrimp, veggies, and rice — brimming with spiced Cajun and Creole flavors.

Blackened salmon in a skillet.

Blackened Salmon: This is just one of the many foods that can be “blackened”, and I can’t get enough! The salmon is moist and flakey but with a crispy crust loaded with Cajun and Creole spices.

Cajun shrimp in a pan

Cajun Shrimp: Another tasty way to use my cajun seasoning is to toss it with jumbo shrimp! It’s fast, easy, and will make your kitchen smell like you’re back in Louisiana.

A pan with fried cabbage and a large serving spoon on a table.

Fried Cabbage: This classic southern side dish takes sautéed cabbage to the next level. It’s cooked with crispy bacon, stone ground mustard, and paprika for a smoky, spiced touch.

A big pan of creamy cajun chicken

Creamy Cajun Chicken: This unique recipe came from when I was looking for ways to use my homemade cajun seasoning. And it did not disappoint! Cajun spiced chicken is seared and simmered in a deliciously creamy sauce loaded with veggies.

Cabbage soup in a bowl on a table.

Cabbage Soup: Nothing like this simple, comforting, and delicious cabbage soup to enjoy Mardi Gras at home.

I hope you enjoy these Mardi Gras recipes! If you make any of them, I’d love to hear how they turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.

Mardi Gras food.

Best Mardi Gras Food Ideas

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Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

When it comes to celebrating Mardi Gras, food takes center stage! Once of my favorite Mardi Gras recipes is this creamy cajun chicken. It's bursting with spiced and bold flavors and you'll love that it's super easy to make.

Ingredients 
 

  • 4 (7-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup diced yellow onion
  • ½ cup diced green bell pepper
  • 1 rib of celery, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream, *see note above for dairy-free options
  • ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan
  • chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions 

  • Prep the chicken. Season both sides of each chicken breast with the Cajun seasoning.
    Seasoning chicken breasts on a plate
  • Sear the chicken. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until golden. Remove the chicken from the pan to a plate and set aside.
    Cooking chicken for cajun chicken
  • Saute the veggies. In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil along with the onion, bell pepper, and celery. Saute for 3 to 4 minutes, until the veggies have softened. Add the garlic and saute for another minute.
    Cooking veggies in a pan for cajun chicken
  • Add the heavy cream and parmesan cheese, stir together, and bring to a simmer.
    Cooking cajun chicken sauce in a white pan
  • Let it simmer. Place the chicken back in the skillet and cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley before serving.
    Creamy cajun chicken in a braiser

Nutrition

Calories: 673kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 50g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 233mg | Sodium: 369mg | Potassium: 981mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3223IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 142mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Cajun
Keyword: Mardi Gras Food, Mardi Gras Recipes
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

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