18 Mardi Gras-Inspired Recipes Made for a NOLA-Style Party

Jocelyn Delk Adams
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Mini King Cakes

Mark Twain once said, "An American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi Gras in New Orleans." and I wholeheartedly agree. There is no party like Mardi Gras; New Orleans has the most magical and wonderful energy that you'll ever find in the U.S.

Related: Top Things to do in New Orleans

And a huge part of that energy is because of the food. Call it "Big Snack Energy," because the food culture of NOLA is serious. Especially around Mardi Gras.

Related: 14 Mardi Gras Recipes To Enjoy At Home

Mardi Gras Recipes

These Mardi Gras-inspired recipes are perfect for pretending like you're celebrating in NOLA—or anywhere else in the world. From gumbo, beignets, king cake, hurricanes...these New Orleanian classics are ready to spice up your menu.

Related: Savory King Cakes Are the Latest Mardi Gras Trend

Best Mardi Gras Recipes

<p>Parade</p><p>Whoever finds the plastic baby has to make the king cake next year!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/645844/parade/get-ready-for-mardi-gras-with-mini-king-cakes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Mini King Cakes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Mini King Cakes</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/845080/jessicawellington/10-king-cake-inspired-desserts-perfect-for-mardi-gras/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:10 King Cake-Inspired Mardi Gras Desserts;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">10 King Cake-Inspired Mardi Gras Desserts</a></strong></p>
<p>iStock</p><p>A Mardi Gras and New Orleans tradition, this gumbo is packed with flavor and perfect to indulge in on Fat Tuesday!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/267050/sarahdigregorio/big-easy-bash-celebrate-mardi-gras-with-shrimp-and-sausage-gumbo/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo</a></strong></p>
<p>Jocelyn Delk Adams</p><p>Filled with traditional spices, andouille sausage and so much Cajun flavor, you will swear you just stepped onto the streets of NOLA.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/1159946/jocelyndelkadams/andouille-and-blackened-chicken-jambalaya-skillet/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Andouille and Blackened Chicken Jambalaya Skillet;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Andouille and Blackened Chicken Jambalaya Skillet</a></strong></p>
<p>Parade</p><p>Creole seasonings, Worcestershire sauce, lemon and ginger come together to give this shrimp dish abundant flavor on so many levels.<br></p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/841623/communitytable/ginger-scented-shrimp/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Ginger-Scented Shrimp;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Ginger-Scented Shrimp</a></strong></p>
<p>Joy the Baker</p><p>Who says only the sweet version of this traditional Mardi Gras cake can have all the fun? Put a tasty twist on it this year with savory flavors like smoked sausage.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/994895/kelli-acciardo/savory-king-cake-with-smoked-sausage-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Savory King Cake;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Savory King Cake</a></strong></p>
<p>Teresa Blackburn</p><p>Instead of a skillet, this recipe is cooked on the grill for an extra layer of flavor.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/1211897/alison-ashton/al-roker-new-orleans-style-grilled-shrimp/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Al Roker's New Orleans-Style Shrimp;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Al Roker's New Orleans-Style Shrimp</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: </strong><strong><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/al-rokers-spicy-chicken-wings-153000402.html" data-ylk="slk:Al Roker's Spicy Chicken Wings Are So Good, You'll Want to Make Them Every Week;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Al Roker's Spicy Chicken Wings Are So Good, You'll Want to Make Them Every Week</a></strong></p>
<p>Husk Charleston</p><p>A classic Southern dish that is perfect for Fat Tuesday, or any other day of the week.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/993068/kelli-acciardo/how-to-make-shrimp-and-grits/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shrimp and Grits;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Shrimp and Grits</a></strong></p>
<p>Organic Banana, New Orleans</p><p>True to New Orleans' fun reputation, this yummy cocktail actually contains no banana!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/841625/communitytable/banana-frozen-daiquiri/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Banana Frozen Daiquiri;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Banana Frozen Daiquiri</a></strong></p>
<p>iStock</p><p>This muffuletta sandwich recipe is as authentic as you can get, if you don’t happen to live in the crescent city. With a tasty muffuletta mix of briny olive salad, sliced cheeses and a smorgasbord of cold cuts, this isn’t a mere sandwich. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: </strong><strong><span>Muffuletta Sandwich</span></strong></p>

iStock

This muffuletta sandwich recipe is as authentic as you can get, if you don’t happen to live in the crescent city. With a tasty muffuletta mix of briny olive salad, sliced cheeses and a smorgasbord of cold cuts, this isn’t a mere sandwich.

Get the recipe: Muffuletta Sandwich

<p>Grandbaby Cakes</p><p>These New Orleans beignets are the real deal! Heavenly morsels of dough are deep-fried to golden brown perfection and topped with powdered sugar making you feel like you stepped off the plane right into NOLA! </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: </strong><strong><a href="https://grandbaby-cakes.com/new-orleans-beignets/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:New Orleans Beignets Recipes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">New Orleans Beignets Recipes</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/845058/melissasperka/18-new-orleans-inspired-dishes-worthy-of-a-celebration/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:18 New Orleans-Inspired Recipes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">18 New Orleans-Inspired Recipes</a></strong></p>
<p>A Worthey Life</p><p>Celebrate Mardi Gras with our take on the classic hurricane cocktail. Mixed with spiced rum, coconut rum, mango passion fruit juice, and bourbon-spiked Maraschino cherry syrup, and a few other ingredients, this is a celebratory cocktail worth making over and over again. Turn up! Cheers!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: </strong><strong><a href="https://www.awortheyread.com/the-hurricane-cocktail/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Classic Hurricane Cocktail;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Classic Hurricane Cocktail</a></strong></p>
<p>Grits and Pinecones</p><p>This flavorful dip is a tantalizing app with tasty green olives, salami, provolone cheese, and tangy giardiniera.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe:</strong><a href="https://www.gritsandpinecones.com/easy-mardi-gras-hot-muffuletta-dip/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Hot Muffuletta Dip;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link "> <strong>Hot Muffuletta Dip</strong></a></p>
<p>Savory Experiments</p><p>A spicy Cajun shrimp dish that is perfect for dinner or celebrating Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe:</strong><a href="https://www.savoryexperiments.com/voodoo-shrimp-creole/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Voodoo Shrimp Creole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link "> <strong>Voodoo Shrimp Creole</strong></a></p>
<p>Ramshackle Pantry</p><p>The classic sazerac recipe is so tasty and has so much character. It brings together Rye Whiskey and Absinthe in a New Orleans drink mainstay that is so darn delicious.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe:</strong><a href="https://ramshacklepantry.com/best-sazerac-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Classic Sazerac;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link "> <strong>Classic Sazerac</strong></a></p>
<p>Grandbaby Cakes</p><p>This generations-old seafood gumbo recipe is chock-full of tender shrimp, oysters and crab meat swimming in a spiced broth that began with a deep medium flavorful roux! This has that spicy kick that will warm you up all year round! </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: </strong><strong><a href="https://grandbaby-cakes.com/seafood-gumbo-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Seafood Gumbo;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Seafood Gumbo </a></strong></p>
<p>Sense & Edibility</p><p>This Mardi Gras king cake is great for dessert, coffee or breakfast. It’s best enjoyed a day or two after baking. Three days tops.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: </strong><strong><a href="https://senseandedibility.com/mardi-gras-king-cake/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:King's Cake for Mardi Gras;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">King's Cake for Mardi Gras</a></strong></p>
<p>This Ole Mom</p><p>This milkshake is crazy big with crazy big flavors. Of course, you wouldn’t expect anything less from a milkshake that has been named after a day like Fat Tuesday.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: </strong><strong><a href="https://www.thisolemom.com/mardi-gras-king-cake-milkshake/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:King Cake Milkshake;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">King Cake Milkshake</a></strong></p>
<p>Grandbaby Cakes</p><p>This is the BEST shrimp etouffee recipe online! Homemade and delicious, made with an authentic creole flavor and down-home taste. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe:</strong><a href="https://grandbaby-cakes.com/shrimp-etouffee/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Shrimp Etouffee;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link "> <strong>Shrimp Etouffee </strong></a></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/1325505/parade/shrimp-recipes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:111 Greatest Shrimp Recipes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">111 Greatest Shrimp Recipes</a></strong></p>

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