Cajun and Creole cuisines are among our favorites. With their generous seasonings, it’s inevitable that their food would be amazingly tasty.
To help you recreate these New Orleans flavors in your own kitchen, we’ve compiled this list of Creole and Cajun Recipes from GypsyPlate and around the internet.
From their seafood delicacies, hearty stews, hefty sandwiches, amazing sweets and more, you’ll find it all here. One thing is for sure, none of these dishes are lacking in flavor!
What is the Difference Between Cajun and Creole?
They both seem similar and blend well together, but have slight variations. Creole is what you find in cities, while Cajun lingers in the country.
Creole dishes tend to be more soupy and tomato based compared to Cajun food. Both cuisines are famous for their heavy handed spicing of dishes with exotic spices and herbs.
Many of these dishes are found in both cuisines, with their own unique variations.
The BEST Cajun and Creole Recipes:
1. Shrimp Creole
This New Orleans classic is a great way to start our list of Creole and Cajun recipes. Plump juicy shrimp drenched in a tomato based sauce with my beloved Creole flavors.
You’ll make this one again and again!
2. Jambalaya
If you’re on the lookout for a perfect company meal to feed a crowd, this Jambalaya recipe is it!
One of America’s most iconic dishes, this rice comes fully loaded with sausage, chicken, shrimp, veggies and a whole world of big flavors.
It may look intimidating, but trust me, you’ll master our surprisingly easy jambalaya recipe in no time!
3. Shrimp Po’ Boy Sandwich
Are you noticing a lot of Cajun recipes? That’s because they know how to cook their shrimp! This po boy is a great example. Crispy fried shrimp in a nice bun and drenched in remoulade sauce.
4. Grillades and Grits
Grillades ‘n’ Grits, a Creole delight. Tender medallions of meat simmered in a tomato based gravy over creamy, cheesy grits. This is one of our favorite Creole recipes!
5. Yakamein
Ya-Ka-Mein… Never heard of it? Well, you’re not alone. It is one of New Orleans’s best-kept secrets.
Yakamein is not quite pho, not quite ramen and definitely not just soup. It’s not like anything you’ve ever had before.
6. Louisiana Style Red Beans and Rice
Beans and rice are a staple cheap dinner option. This Louisiana style red beans and rice recipes takes the flavors to a whole new level!
It’s surely one of our favorite Cajun recipes!
7. Jambalaya Soup
Jambalaya Soup! This hearty soup is boldly flavored with great Creole seasoning and is loaded with meats and veggies. It’s great on the stovetop, or in a slow cooker or instant pot.
8. New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
These are nowhere near what you would think BBQ shrimp would taste like. They’re called BBQ shrimp, but actually have nothing to do with a BBQ.
Delicious, plump gulf shrimp are cooked in a rich, buttery sauce spiked with Cajun seasoning. All you need is warm crusty bread to mop up this dish in minutes… Delicious!
9. Cochon de Lait
Cochon de Lait is a delicious pulled pork recipe from Louisiana. Traditionally, it was an all day pig roast event for a crowd.
This recipe shows you the crockpot method and instant pot methods. The end result is succulent Cajun deliciousness…
10. Dirty Rice
Dirty Rice is a famous dish in Creole and Cajun cuisines. White rice gets a “dirty” color from bits of meat and a generous dose of seasonings.
It’s a super delicious recipe that’s packed with flavor. And although it’s usually served as a side dish, we love it as a main.
11. Homemade Creole Seasoning
Homemade Creole Seasoning is a great addition to your pantry. This flavor enhancer is great for Creole recipes but also enhances so many other dishes!
It only takes 5 minutes, and you probably already have all the ingredients. So much better then store bought.
12. Jambalaya Pasta
Jambalaya Pasta, aka Pastalaya, is a super tasty dish featuring shrimp, chicken and sausage smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce full of Louisiana flavors.
It’s like everyone’s favorite jambalaya, but with pasta instead of rice. How cool!
13. Maque Choux
Give your corn a Louisiana style makeover with this Cajun Maque Choux! Corn is sautéed in bacon grease with Cajun or Creole seasoning, along with other flavor enhancers.
This recipe is perfect for summer, when corn season is at its peak. It will become the new star side dish at your cookouts and potlucks.
14. Eggs Cochon
Eggs Cochon – Meet this amazing benedict variation out of New Orleans…
A fluffy buttermilk biscuit topped with Cajun pulled pork, a poached egg and hollandaise sauce. Pure heaven!
15. Creole Coleslaw
This creamy Creole Coleslaw is a great variation on that classic potluck side dish. Your traditional slaw gets a zippy upgrade.
Bring this to your next get together and guests will be asking for your secret slaw recipe!
16. Cajun Shrimp and Grits
Shrimp and grits is a Lowcountry southern classic. This recipe featured Cajun spiced shrimp atop a bed of creamy cheese grits. Oh, there’s bacon!
17. Louisiana Style Remoulade
This is Louisiana style remoulade. If you like tartar sauce or cocktail sauce, get ready for a big upgrade.
I am going to introduce not just one, but two versions of this saucy side of Louisiana.
18. Shrimp Remoulade
This recipe is a famous appetizer in New Orleans. Plump boiled shrimp drenched in a creamy, tangy and slightly spicy remoulade sauce.
19. Beignets
If you’ve never had a beignet, you’re in for a real treat. These famous New Orleans creations are like freshly cooked doughnuts without the hole, and loaded up with powdered sugar.
Even if you’re not in NoLa, you can easily make them right in your own home!
Get the Recipe @ bakerbynature
20. Crawfish Boil
Crawfish are one of the unique highlights of Louisiana cuisine. The most popular way to eat them is a crawfish boil.
The crawfish are cooked with corn, red potato and smoked sausage, and plenty of Cajun seasonings!
21. Creole Mustard
Add a pop and vibrancy to anything and everything for your taste buds. This mustard is irresistible… the Creole way!
It may become your new favorite condiment.
22. Muffuletta Sandwich
The Muffaletta Sandwich is a delicious New Orleans invention filled with olive salad, cheese, and a variety of meats, all on a loaf of Italian bread. It’s quite hefty and loaded with meats.
This huge sandwich can feed a crowd!
23. Gumbo
Bring the flavors of New Orleans to your kitchen with this authentic Gumbo recipe!
It is made with a dark roux, fresh veggies including okra, and your choice of meat, making every spoonful of this Gumbo so delicious and comforting.
Get the Recipe @ gimmesomeoven
24. Oysters Rockefeller
In this classic dish, the Rockefeller name refers to the dollar bill-green color of the sauce, and its richness, as it’s loaded with butter, garlic, spinach and herbs.
Another New Orleans invent since 1889. We approve of it big time. Yummy…
25. Pralines
A signature sweet of New Orleans, Pralines are unique candied treats adored by natives and visitors alike.
They are kinda like fudge, made with candied pecans and melt deliciously in your mouth.
Get the Recipe @ houseofnasheats
26. Crawfish Étouffée
When it comes to crawfish, our favorite dish is Étouffée. Crawfish étouffée is a delicious dish of sweet and meaty crawfish served up in a rich and flavorful gravy that is made from a quick roux.
So comforting over some warm rice, it’s one of the very best Cajun recipes.
Get the Recipe @ thecaglediaries
27. Louisiana Crab Cakes
Give your crab cakes a Cajun makeover with this amazing recipe! They’re spicier than Maryland style, and breaded before frying.
Give this amazing recipe a try, you’re going to love it!
Get the Recipe @ southerndiscourse
28. Blackened Redfish
Imagine a tender, succulent fish fillet coated in Cajun spices and then seared on a hot pan with tons of butter… that’s blackened redfish.
If you can’t get ahold of redfish, you can also make the recipe with other species, such as catfish.
Get the Recipe @ stacylynharris
29. Cajun Fried Gator Tail
If you’ve never eaten gator, this is the very best way to try it. A Louisiana classic, this fried gator tail is a Cajun delicacy.
Get the Recipe @ themccallumsshamrockpatch
30. King Cake
We’re wrapping up this list of Creole and Cajun recipes with the famous king cake. It’s a true Mardi Gras tradition.
This sweet treat is like a cross between a cinnamon bun and a coffee cake, and gets topped with colorful icing.
Get the Recipe @ savortheflavor
So many great Cajun and Creole recipes to cook. No wonder it’s one of the most famous cuisines in the world!
Check out these other recipe collections!
American Recipes
British Recipes
French Recipes
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30 BEST Cajun and Creole Recipes
This collection of authentic Cajun and Creole Recipes will give you a great taste of classic Louisiana fare. For starters, try this easy homemade Creole seasoning:
Ingredients
- 6 Tbsp paprika
- 1/2 - 1 Tbsp cayenne
- 3 Tbsp onion powder
- 3 Tbsp garlic powder
- 2 Tbsp oregano
- 2 Tbsp basil
- 2 Tbsp thyme
- 1 Tbsp parsley
- 2 Tbsp black pepper
- 1 - 1.5 Tbsp granulated or sea salt
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well with a dry spoon so everything is well combined.
- Store in an airtight spice jar and keep it in a pantry.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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