Mardi Gras is a celebration that goes by many names, such as Fat Tuesday and Carnival. It’s the day before Ash Wednesday, which begins the religious observation of Lent. Because Lent typically involves fasting, this celebration revolves around drinking and eating in excess. Even if you’re not religious, attending Mardi Gras can still be an indulgent, rowdy time, similar to Thanksgiving.

History of Mardi Gras Traditions and Cuisine

If you’re wondering why Mardi Gras is also called Fat Tuesday, that’s because it’s the English translation of the French phrase. Even though Mardi Gras takes place on the 47th day before Easter, the season itself lasts longer. The season starts on Jan. 6, which is when the Christian holiday of Epiphany takes place. You may know this day as the 12th Day of Christmas or Three Kings Day. 

Some countries use the term “Carnival” to refer to the period between Jan. 6 and the day of Mardi Gras. This word loosely translates to “farewell to meat,” which refers to the food traditions surrounding this observation. 

Mardi Gras traditions go back to when pagans celebrated the coming of spring and the fertility it symbolizes. Catholics then made this holiday theirs by adding religious elements of banning sex, alcohol and eating meat.

However, not only Christians and Catholics observe Mardi Gras. Secular people have made this celebration about partying with as much food and alcohol as possible, which can mean an exciting break from daily, working life.

The history of Mardi Gras cuisine in Baton Rouge and throughout Louisiana is rich in tradition. Typically, Mardi Gras dishes are heavy on meat, dairy and fat, which makes sense, since Lent traditionally bans foods like these until Easter. Let’s dive in and explore some classic Mardi Gras recipes.

1. King Cake

While king cake’s origins are uncertain, it likely comes from the melting pot of cultures that converged in New Orleans, including French and Spanish immigrants and enslaved Africans. Traditionally, king cake is a scrumptious, ring-shaped dessert made from cinnamon dough topped with purple, yellow and green icing. Nowadays, king cake fillings can include anything from toasted coconut to praline, and the cakes come in many different shapes and sizes. Become part of the history of king cake with the recipe below.

Pastry

• ¼ cup of butter
• 2 eggs
• ⅔ cup of warm water
• ½ teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg
• ½ cup of white sugar
• 2 0.25-ounce packages of active dry yeast
• 1 ½ teaspoons of salt
• 5 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of milk

Filling

• 1 cup of packed brown sugar
• ½ cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon
• ½ cup of melted butter
• ½ cup of raisins
• ⅔ cup of chopped pecans

Frosting

• 1 tablespoon of water
• 1 cup of confectioners’ sugar

2. Pancakes 

Pancakes are another central Mardi Gras tradition. The day before Ash Wednesday, or Shrove Tuesday, is also known as Pancake Day. Traditionally, Shrove Tuesday is when Christians in England confess to their sins to receive forgiveness. Why did pancakes become synonymous with this devout observation? The recipe incorporates many foods that are taboo during Lent, such as fat, dairy products and eggs. 

Below is a tasty recipe for strawberry Greek yogurt pancakes.

Pancakes

• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 2 cups of vanilla Greek yogurt
• 1 egg
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste or extract
• 1 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries
• 2 tablespoons of butter or cooking oil

Strawberry Topping

• 1 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries
• ¼ cup of granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla bean paste or extract
• ½ cup of water

3. Doughnuts

Depending on where you live, the doughnuts at your Mardi Gras celebration might feature whipped cream, jelly, jam or another delicious filling. Even pączki, or traditional Polish doughnuts, are a Mardi Gras favorite. These deep-fried doughnuts typically have a chocolate, lemon curd, jam or custard filling. Look below for a tasty recipe for pączki.

• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup of lukewarm milk
• Powdered sugar for coating
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1 teaspoon of instant yeast
• Fruit preserves for filling, such as raspberry or strawberry jam, custard or lemon curd

4. Crawfish Boil

If you like seafood, corn and potatoes, you’ll appreciate an authentic New Orleans crawfish boil. Crawfish boils are all about fostering the sense of community that Mardi Gras is all about. An example of a crawfish boil recipe is waiting for you below.

• 8 medium onions, quartered
• 8 ears of corn, shucked and cut into thirds
• 2 pounds of salt
• 10 lemons, halved
• 6 heads of garlic, halved horizontally
• 3 pounds of small red potatoes
• 1 4 ½-pound bag of Louisiana crawfish, shrimp and crab boil seasoning
• 40 pounds of medium crawfish

5. Jambalaya 

Jambalaya is a beloved comfort dish in New Orleans that originated from the Spanish rice dish paella. Check out some ingredients that might go into your Mardi Gras jambalaya below.

• 1 5-pound duck, cut into 8 pieces and trimmed of fat
• 1 pound of small shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 quarts of chicken stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth
• ½ cup of chopped celery
• ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup of chopped red bell peppers
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
• 1 pound of spicy smoked sausage, diced
• 1 cup of chopped green onions
• 2 cups of chopped yellow onions
• ½ cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 cups peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 3 bay leaves
• ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• 3 cups of long-grain white rice
• 2 teaspoons of minced thyme leaves
• ½ cup of chopped green bell peppers

6. Hurricane

If you’re down in the French Quarter for some Mardi Gras parade madness, you’ll likely see the hurricane featured on many beverage menus. What’s in a hurricane? Let’s take a look.

• 1 1⁄2 ounces amaretto liqueur
• 1 ounce of dark rum
• 1 ounce of light rum
• 1 dash of grenadine
• 1 orange, sliced into rounds
• 6 ounces of pineapple juice
• 6 ounces of orange juice
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 1 maraschino cherry

7. Shrimp Po’Boy

If you’re looking for a portable food you can walk around with during your Mardi Gras celebrations, you might try the recipe below.

• 1 pound of medium peeled and deveined shrimp
• ¼ cup of hot sauce, divided
• 1 cup of buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon of kosher salt, plus more to taste
• ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup of shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1 cup of all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup of yellow cornmeal
• ½ teaspoon of dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon of dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
• ¼ cup of mayonnaise
• 2 10-inch po’boy rolls or French hero rolls, halved lengthwise
• 1 beefsteak tomato, thinly sliced
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 2 tablespoons of thinly sliced cornichons, for garnish

8. Beignets

If you’re looking for more indulgent Mardi Gras desserts and you want a deep-fried sweet treat with powdered sugar on top, check out the recipe for beignets below.

• 1 ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• ⅛ teaspoon of kosher salt
• ½ cup of granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, separated
• Powdered sugar, for dusting
• 1 tablespoon of melted butter
• Vegetable oil, for frying

9. Cajun Orzo With Sausage

Why not indulge in a creamy, savory treat when you’re celebrating Mardi Gras this year? If you want to make a Cajun recipe from scratch, look at the ingredients below.

• 1 ½ cups of orzo
• ½ teaspoon of dark chili powder
• ¼ cup of heavy cream
• ½ cup of diced onions
• Cajun seasoning, to taste
• 1 tablespoon of oil
• 3 ½ cups of chicken stock
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 14 ounces of sliced smoked sausage
• Scallions, to garnish

10. Shrimp Etouffee

If you’re a fan of shrimp and rice, you won’t regret trying this shrimp etouffee recipe.

• 1 tablespoon of oil
• 1 ½ cups of orzo
• ½ cup of diced onions
• 14 ounces of smoked sausage, cut into quarter-inch slices
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• Scallions, to garnish
• Cajun seasoning, to taste
• ½ teaspoon of dark chili powder
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 ½ cups of chicken stock
• ¼ cup of heavy cream

Visit The Gregory During Baton Rouge Mardi Gras Celebrations

Now that we’ve looked at some recipes for Mardi Gras cuisine, let’s explore why you should visit Baton Rouge for Mardi Gras. The Fat Tuesday celebrations here are delicious and authentic. More than that, our city has friendly places where you can find the ingredients for the best Mardi Gras recipes.

When you visit The Gregory during Baton Rouge Mardi Gras celebrations, we’ll provide you with a memorable fine dining experience. There are no wrong choices on a menu full of Southern classics with a twist.

If you want to learn more about us or make reservations, give us a call at 225-532-6854.