New Orleans is a city that sings with incredible music and electric energy, and the food here is some of the most mouthwatering in the whole country. So when I sat down to pull together a list of my absolute favorite recipes from this city, I won't pretend it was easy.
There are just too many amazing dishes to choose from. But I managed to narrow it down to 22 classics that I come back to again and again, from iconic gumbo and jambalaya right through to sweet, powdered sugar beignets.
1. New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp
I'm just going to come out and say it: the real stars of this dish are the spices and that incredible sauce. The shrimp itself is almost an afterthought.
Honestly, you could swap in pork, beef, or chicken under all that saucy goodness and I'd still be swooning. The spice blend of paprika, ancho chili powder, cumin, sugar, and salt hits every right note. The buttery sauce with garlic, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and a splash of water is pure magic.
2. French Quarter Cheese Spread
This cheese spread is pure decadence: creamy, crunchy, sweet, and salty all in one single bite. The base is a smooth, rich cheese, and that layer of sugared pecans on top?
It lifts everything to a whole new stratosphere. Set it out with crackers, fresh fruit slices, or crisp veggies and watch it disappear.
3. New Orleans Grillades and Grits
Tender, juicy beef cutlets swimming in a thick tomato herb sauce with sautéed vegetables, all spooned over a bed of warm grits… my stomach is growling just thinking about it. This dish does take some time to pull together, but that very first bite will confirm it was time beautifully spent.
And you won't need any sides, not a single one. It's a hearty, fill you right up kind of meal.
4. New Orleans Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
The name pretty much gives away all the goodness waiting inside. A warm, flaky crust cradles a rich, gooey filling of chocolate, bourbon, and pecans.
Imagine a chocolate pie and a pecan pie meeting up with a stiff shot of bourbon, all combined into one luscious dessert. Show up to a family gathering with this and you'll come home with nothing but a clean, empty pie pan.
5. Dirty Rice
Let me set the record straight: that boxed mix from the grocery store is nothing like real Louisiana dirty rice. Those shortcut versions completely miss the beef, pork sausage, and fresh veggies that give it its soul.
This recipe is the real deal. You'll have it on the table in just 30 minutes with barely any hands on work, and the flavor is out of this world. While it's often served as a side, I've happily devoured a whole bowl as a meal on its own.
6. Sweet Cornbread
This cornbread is everything I want: sweet, crumbly, and ridiculously delicious. You likely have all the ingredients sitting in your pantry right now, so it's a total breeze to whip up.
For an extra sweet treat, drizzle on a little syrup, honey, or a pat of butter just before serving. It also tastes incredible alongside savory dishes like rice and beans, gumbo, or even a cold glass of buttermilk.
7. New Orleans Beignets
If you know even the tiniest bit about New Orleans cooking, you've definitely heard of beignets. These pillowy, deep fried clouds showered in powdered sugar put ordinary donuts to shame.
The dough does need time to rise, so a little patience is part of the process, but the recipe itself is simple. And the payoff? Absolutely, blissfully worth it.
8. Jambalaya
Jambalaya and gumbo might share some ingredients, but trust me, they are two very different dishes. Gumbo is brothy and stew like, while jambalaya is all about that thick, hearty rice that soaks up every little bit of goodness.
Both feature familiar friends like bell peppers, onions, sausage, chicken, shrimp, and plenty more. Once you taste the difference, you'll never mix them up again.
9. Corn Maque Choux
Corn maque choux is that spicy, creamy side dish that shows up at practically every Mardi Gras celebration. Now you can bring all that festivity right into your own kitchen.
All it takes is corn, butter, onions, bell peppers, jalapeños, Cajun seasoning, salt, and a splash of heavy cream. In just a little over half an hour, it's ready to serve.
10. New Orleans Gumbo
If you haven't tasted gumbo straight from New Orleans, you're truly missing out on the real thing. The way NOLA cooks prepare it is simply unmatched anywhere else.
This is hands down the best recipe I've found for an authentic version. The chicken stays perfectly tender, the sausage is juicy and packed with flavor, and the shrimp adds that deep, savory umami that ties everything together.
11. Brabant Potatoes
These potatoes are drenched in buttery garlic flavor and honestly rank among the best I've ever eaten. With just seven ingredients (salt and pepper count as two of them) they come together in 30 minutes flat.
The skins get wonderfully crispy while the insides stay soft and tender. I personally love finishing mine with a generous sprinkle of diced scallions.
12. New Orleans French Bread
This French bread might not look all that flashy, but don't let looks fool you; it is supremely tasty. The crust bakes up to a perfect crispy golden brown, while the inside stays dense, pillowy, and wonderfully absorbent. It's exactly what you want for sopping up every last drop of gumbo, or for dunking into garlic butter or creamy Cajun sauce.
13. New Orleans Baked Mac and Cheese
Go ahead and call it baked mac and cheese, baked spaghetti, whatever feels right to you. The important thing is that it's cheesy, creamy, and carries a gentle little kick of heat.
It's not quite like any mac and cheese I've ever had, and it's not exactly spaghetti either. It's a wonderfully unique dish that's hard to pin down, but goodness, is it excellent.
14. New Orleans Pralines
Chewy, nutty, and exceptionally sweet, pralines are a true New Orleans delicacy that can be a bit tricky to master. But this recipe makes it totally doable, guiding you to perfect, golden brown candies with minimal fuss.
If the first batch or two doesn't turn out picture perfect, don't you worry. That just means you get to enjoy the delicious "mistakes" and give it another go.
15. New Orleans Muffuletta
A truly great muffuletta comes down to four things: excellent bread, a crisp and zesty olive salad, tender meat, and the ideal selection of cheeses. This recipe absolutely nails every one of them.
From top to bottom, every layer is top notch quality, nothing left out, and zero unnecessary extras. It's muffuletta perfection.
16. New Orleans Hurricane Cocktail
The Sazerac might hold the title of New Orleans' official cocktail, but the hurricane is the one everyone is actually ordering. Sure, any bar in the city can whip up a killer version, but why not shake one up in your own kitchen? All you need is some dark
17. Red Beans and Rice
Real New Orleans style red beans and rice needs about an hour from start to finish, but every single minute is completely worth it. It's earthy, herby, and delivers exactly the right kick of heat.
You can toss in some sausage for extra richness or skip it entirely. Either way, this is one comforting dish you really don't want to miss.
18. Shrimp Po’Boy
The real magic of this sandwich lives in its creamy Cajun sauce, and luckily, making that sauce is a breeze. If you grab some pre cooked shrimp, you're basically just layering everything together in a beautiful roll.
If you're starting with raw shrimp, you'll need about 20 minutes to get it all done. Either way, it's an absolutely delicious po'boy.
19. Crawfish Beignets
When you hear "beignet," you probably picture those sweet, powdered sugar dusted pillows. These crawfish beignets are a whole different story.
They're deep fried, yes, but that's the only thing they have in common with the dessert version. Each crispy bite is loaded with savory seafood goodness: onions, shrimp, crawfish, and a fiery pop of cayenne pepper.
20. New Orleans Po’Boy Rolls
A proper po'boy simply isn't a po'boy without the exact right kind of roll. This recipe walks you through exactly how to bake them yourself, using just six everyday ingredients. You'll end up with warm, fluffy rolls that are perfect for any classic sandwich filling.
21. New Orleans King Cake
You simply cannot have a roundup of New Orleans recipes without a king cake. This light, colorful cake is the absolute centerpiece of Carnival season.
Inside you'll find a gorgeous swirl, and on top, that showstopping glaze in purple, green, and gold. Just promise me you won't forget to tuck the little baby inside! Somebody you love is going to need that year of good luck.
22. Bananas Foster
This luscious dessert comes together in just about 15 minutes using only seven simple ingredients. The bananas bring that sweet, tropical brightness, and then you add ice cream and a dark rum sauce that deepens the sweetness and adds so much complexity. An already fantastic dish instantly becomes something irresistible.
