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Here are 20 New Orleans-inspired recipes for a Taste of the Big Easy that are easy, delicious, and will have you saying “laissez le bon temps rouler!” From classic Shrimp Creole and jambalaya to crab beignets and red beans and rice, these recipes capture the vibrant flavors of Cajun and Creole cuisine, bringing the spirit of Mardi Gras to your table year-round. Don’t forget the Creme Brulee for dessert!
If you love restaurant-quality flavor but want approachable, doable recipes at home, these New Orleans–inspired starters deliver big personality without complicated techniques. Let’s bring a little Bourbon Street energy to your appetizer table!
5 from 5 votes
Crab and Artichoke Beignets with Jalapeno Remoulade
Big Easy-inspired Crab and Artichoke Beignets with Jalapeno Remoulade are super easy and will be the hit of any get-together! Sweet crab and artichokes with a buttermilk batter fry up crisp and golden on the outside and tender and delicious on the inside. They pair perfectly with a spicy remoulade!
Shrimp Cocktail with Sriracha Remoulade is an updated, spicy twist on the classic New Orleans favorite for a summer appetizer everyone will love! You'll also love this remoulade with crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, fried pickles, roasted potato wedges and so much more!
Shrimp Cocktail Louis harkens back to an era when shrimp cocktail was the ultimate in elegance! This modern twist which includes Sriracha hot sauce is the perfect party food!
These New Orleans–inspired soup recipes are rich with layered flavor with smoky sausage, the “holy trinity” of onion, celery, and bell pepper, hearty beans, and just enough spice to keep things interesting.
5 from 5 votes
Black-Eyed Pea Soup
Black-Eyed Pea Soup with greens and ham is wholesome, flavorful, and more than a New Year's good luck dish–it's a nutritional powerhouse! Make it any time you need some good, healthful comfort!
Few cities cook with as much heart and history as New Orleans. Bold, soulful, and layered with global influence. These New Orleans–inspired main dishes deliver big personality without unnecessary fuss. Pour yourself something festive, turn up the jazz, and let your dinner table feel like a celebration!
4.86 from 7 votes
Buttery Blackened Steak Bites with Gorgonzola
Buttery Blackened Steak Bites with Gorgonzola is perfect for an easy, casual dinner or make a fun appetizer! Tender, succulent pieces of steak are tossed in a flavorful blackening mix, seared to perfection then glazed with melted butter and Gorgonzola cheese!
Cajun-Smothered Pork Medallions are the delicious Big Easy way to spice up the night with your loved one! Lean pork tenderloin is cut into "medallions" for quick, even cooking, rubbed with Cajun seasoning then smothered in a spicy sauce!
Traditionally a dish that takes all day, this simplified version of the Louisiana classic can be ready in a little over an hour. Easy Red Beans and Rice is the ultimate budget, pantry and freezer-friendly dish that really satisfies!
Try this Blackened Halibut recipe for a healthy dinner idea for two with a tropical twist! Mild, fresh halibut is coated in a homemade blackening spice mixture, seared to form a lightly charred crust, then topped with a lively mango and avocado salsa.
Shrimp Burgers with Jalapeno Remoulade are a tasty New Orleans-inspired alternative to traditional beef burgers. A jalapeno remoulade is the perfect, delicious accompaniment!
This spicy Shrimp and Grits Casserole is a tried-and-true twist on a Southern comfort food classic. Creamy grits, tender shrimp, melted Gouda, and a little heat come together in an easy, oven-baked dish that’s perfect for weeknights or casual entertaining. It’s the kind of crowd-pleasing dish that feels right at home on any table!
Smothered Shrimp with Andouille Sausage and Creamy Parmesan Peppercorn Grits
Smothered Shrimp and Andouille Sausage with Creamy Parmesan Peppercorn Grits is decadent, delicious and the perfect way to enjoy a New Orleans-inspired dinner at home! The Cajun seasoning, fire-roasted tomatoes and Andouille sausage give this smothered shrimp dish an amazing depth of flavor without having to make a time-consuming roux.
Baked Catfish Pecan Meuniere and Spicy Sauteed Greens
Baked Catfish Pecan Meuniere combines the comforting flavors of the South with a touch of elegance. This delightful recipe takes tender catfish fillets, coats them in a crunchy pecan crust, and bakes them to golden perfection—all while keeping things light and flavorful. Inspired by the classic French meuniere style, with a buttery, lemony sauce.
This beloved New Orleans dish is super easy to make, doesn't require a roux, and can be on the table in about 45 minutes for a taste of the Big Easy any night!
Low Carb Jambalaya with Chicken Shrimp and Sausage
Low Carb Jambalaya with Chicken, Shrimp and Sausage is a healthful and nutritious twist on the New Orleans classic that's made with cauliflower "rice."
In this flavor-packed city, sides aren’t an afterthought; they’re essential to the meal. These sides deliver that unmistakable Louisiana spirit. Add one, or both, to your table and turn any meal into a celebration!
5 from 1 vote
Fondant Sweet Potatoes
Fondant Sweet Potatoes look fancy, but they’re very easy! Inspired by a classic French technique, this version adds a subtle Cajun kick that turns buttery, caramelized rounds of sweet potato into something truly impressive. Whether you’re planning a holiday menu or dressing up a weeknight dinner, these belong on your table!
Carol is a personal chef with 22 years of experience cooking food people want to eat! Here, you'll find expert techniques, time-saving tips, and flavor-packed dishes you'll be proud to serve family and friends.
Hi, Robin, Thanks so very much and sure hope you do! I do say they’re “inspired,” but I’d love to know what you think! Thanks again and hope you enjoy!
I am from New Orleans and these all look really delicious. Will definitely try. Robin
Hi, Robin, Thanks so very much and sure hope you do! I do say they’re “inspired,” but I’d love to know what you think! Thanks again and hope you enjoy!
All your recipes look delicious. I can’t wait to try all of them!
Hi, Janet, Thanks so very much and I hope you do!