If you are celebrating Mardi Gras, you will love these delicious, tried and true Gluten Free Mardi Gras recipes. They are perfect for any fat Tuesday celebration!
What is Mardi Gras?
Mardi Gras is a fun festival in late spring that is celebrated by many people in the world including France, Brazil, and the United States (especially New Orleans).
It is traditionally celebrated on the day before Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of the Lenten season. Mardi Gras is known for its colorful parades, costumes, masks, and parties, and is often associated with wild indulgence and partying, and over-the-top revelry. It is considered almost a kick-off for the period of fasting and reflection that comes with Lent.
If you have ever been to a Mardi Gras event in New Orleans, you know how much fun it can be. The downside is that it is often difficult to find gluten free foods in New Orleans. Mr. Fearless Dining was there for a conference, and it was a struggle for him to find gluten free things to eat there.
If you are new to gluten free, I have a lot of easy gluten free resources including this easy beginner’s guide to living gluten free.
What do people eat at Mardi Gras?
During Mardi Gras, people often enjoy traditional cajun foods. Some of the more popular Mardi Gras dishes include:
- Jambalaya: a Creole dish made with rice, vegetables, and meat or seafood.
- Gumbo: a stew made with a roux base and typically containing meat or seafood, vegetables, and a blend of spices.
- Crawfish Boil: a seafood dish made by boiling crawfish, potatoes, and corn in a spicy broth. If you have never made crawfish, this is a great crawfish boil tutorial to try!
- Rice and Beans – a cajun rice and beans dish that often includes rice and beans and occasionally meat.
- Beignets: a type of deep-fried doughnut dusted with powdered sugar, often served with café au lait.
- King Cake: a sweet cake decorated with icing and sprinkles in the Mardi Gras colors (purple, green, and gold), often served during the festival season.
The Best Gluten Free Mardi Gras Recipes:
I like to start with dessert first because that is my favorite thing to make. The gluten free beignets are easy to make, and they are such a fun recipe!
There are several meals that are considered traditional to serve over Mardi Gras. Here are my favorites:
Lastly, here are a couple of easy appetizers to serve. They both have delicious cajun flavors.
