Mardi Gras is a religious holiday that celebrates the last day before Lent. Also called Fat Tuesday, it’s a time for giant celebrations, age-old traditions and of course, delicious dishes! Mardi Gras isn’t just popular in the states though, people all around the globe celebrate Fat Tuesday by frying up sweet and savory pastries. From New Orleans classics like kings cake or etouffee, to international delectables like German fasnacht or Swedish semlor, make this Mardi Gras the best one yet with these 14 scrumptious Fat Tuesday recipes:
Cajun Jambalaya
If you haven’t ever had the chance to try Jambalaya before, you are sorely missing out! Jambalaya is a Louisiana original dish with European and West African influences. It’s mostly made of meat and vegetables, and it’s a Mardi Gras-must. The Cajun seasoning gives it that extra kick that makes it so flavorful. Bonus: It’s super easy to make!
Shrimp Etouffee
Etouffee is another classic Mardi Gras dish that comes from New Orleans. Originally, etouffee comes from Cajun and Creole recipes, but now the dish is known all over the world! You can’t have Mardi Gras without etouffee, and this delicious shrimp etouffee recipe is the perfect way to celebrate it!
Gumbo
Gumbo is a token symbol of the city of New Orleans. In fact, it’s actually Louisiana’s state cuisine! There are probably 1000 different ways you can make gumbo – chicken, shrimp, sausage, vegetables – try this recipe for instant pot gumbo that’s bursting with flavor!
Dirty Rice and Shrimp
A truly authentic Louisiana cuisine, dirty rice gets the name “dirty” from all of the delicious ingredients that it’s cooked with. Chicken, beef, vegetables, spices and seasonings all add to the delicious flavor. Try this recipe for dirty rice with shrimp!
Red Rice and Beans
Not that great at cooking? Don’t want to spend hours on one dish? Try cooking red beans and rice! Red beans and rice is another delicious Mardi Gras dish that comes from Louisiana, but it’s super easy to make and takes no time at all!
Kings Cake
If there’s one pastry you’re gonna try for Mardi Gras, let it be Kings cake. Kings cake isn’t just a dessert, it’s a tradition that people all over the world celebrate! Not only is it absolutely delicious, but it also brings families together to celebrate. Plus, it has a super interesting story behind it!
Beignets
Mardi Gras originally started as an excuse to eat as much sugary, sticky, fried food as possible before the season of Lent. What’s a better food for Mardi Gras than beignets? In New Orleans these light, fluffy delicacies are served for breakfast, dessert, or even just a quick snack! You can make beignets right at home with this easy recipe!
Bread Pudding
While bread pudding is served all over the world, in the states, particularly in Louisiana, it’s especially sweet! The sugary sprinkles and the sweet sauce topping make it the perfect dessert for Mardi Gras!
Milk Punch
Milk punch, coming from the saying “milk with a punch” is a classic New Orleans cocktail. The city of New Orleans may not have invented milk punch, but they definitely perfected it! The brandy and bourbon mixed with the sugar and nutmeg make it the perfect beverage for the Mardi Gras season!
Paczki
Also known as Polish donuts, Paczki has been a part of Polish cuisine since the middle ages, and since then they’ve become a huge part of Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday meals. In fact, they even have their own holiday, known as Paczki Day, for people to make and enjoy paczki before Lent. They come in a bunch of different flavors, and you can make your own here.
Swedish Semlor
In Sweden, Semlor are a delicious Fat Tuesday tradition that goes back ages. Semlor are sweet rolls that are topped with whipping cream and powdered sugar, perfect for a Fat Tuesday celebration!
Italian Bowties
Cioffe, frappe, angel wings, there are probably 1000 different words for the same thing: these light, fluffy Italian pastries. Italian bowties are pastries made for Carnevale, which is the celebration of Mardi Gras in Italy. These heavenly pastries would make the perfect recipe for a Mardi Gras celebration!
Fasnacht
Want to try a German recipe? Try fasnachts! Fasnachts are traditional German pastries that are usually served during Mardi Gras (or Fasching, in Germany). They’re similar to donuts, but much tastier!
Pancakes
You can’t talk about Mardi Gras recipes without mentioning pancakes! Pancakes are the original traditional Fat Tuesday pastries. In some parts, Mardi Gras is actually called pancake day! You can celebrate by frying up your own hot cakes, or you can use this Fat Tuesday Pancake Recipe!