17 Mardi Gras Recipes & Fat Tuesday Foods

Amy Dickerson

February 11, 2023 at 3:16 AM·5 min read

Celebrate all things Mardi Gras with these delish Fat Tuesday foods and recipes.

Mardi Gras 2023 is on Tuesday, February 21 this year and while many people think of the fun and wild parties that happen around Mardi Gras, I’m here to tell you all about the New Orleans-inspired food and drinks!

What is Mardi Gras?

The words Mardi Gras are French for Fat Tuesday and traditionally this is a time to indulge in rich foods, drinks and desserts, before the beginning of Lent. Even if you can't travel to New Orleans, you can still celebrate this joyous Carnival season with Cajun-Creole fare—and maybe some beads for good measure.

Best Mardi Gras Food Recipes to Celebrate Fat Tuesday

You won’t find more a decadent cuisine than these West African, French and Spanish-inspired dishes and these 17 Mardi Gras recipes prove that Fat Tuesday food is the best. We're talking authentic New Orleanian recipes. So, enjoy the taste of the Big Easy with Cajun Maque Choux Macaroni Salad, Creole Jambalaya, Mardi Gras Puppy Chow, Hot Pepperoni Muffaletta Dip and more.

And of course, would it even be Mardi Gras if you didn’t have at least one drink? Pour yourself a hurricane cocktail and Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler (let the good times roll)! Don your best yellow, green and purple and let’s get to cooking.