20 Amazing Cajun Recipes
On my first trip to New Orleans, I was determined to try as many Cajun recipes as my stomach would handle – and it can handle a lot! I spent the entire week eating my way around the Big Easy and came home happy as a clam. The Cajun people settled in the bayou lands of southern Louisiana a few hundred years ago, and they’ve been wowing people with their incredible cuisine ever since.
Cajun recipes are a heavenly mix of French and Southern traditions, making them strong, hearty, and loaded with flavor. No doubt you’ve tried jambalaya, and I bet you’ve had a bowl of gumbo, but have you ever had Boudin balls? How about Cajun shrimp and grits? This list of 20 outstanding Cajun recipes is the easiest way to dip your toes into this unique and incredible cuisine.
1) Authentic New Orleans Gumbo
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If you want the quintessential Cajun experience, you have to start with an authentic New Orleans gumbo. This incredible stew is the cornerstone of Cajun recipes, featuring a rich, dark roux that provides an unmistakable depth of flavor.
Packed with tender chicken, spicy sausage, shrimp, and the "holy trinity" of vegetables, this gumbo is best served over a mound of white rice. The secret lies in cooking the roux patiently until it resembles the color of chocolate pudding. It is the perfect comfort food to mop up with a side of cornbread.
2) Cajun Chicken Pasta
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Looking for easy Cajun recipes for a weeknight dinner? This Cajun Chicken Pasta is creamy, cheesy, and ready in just 30 minutes. It brings the heat of the bayou straight to your kitchen table without the long simmer times of traditional stews.
Cajun seasoning—a robust blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic, and onion powder—coats juicy chicken and smoky sausage in this dish. Combined with a rich pasta sauce, it’s a family favorite that balances spice with creamy goodness.
3) Red Beans and Rice
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In New Orleans, Red Beans and Rice is traditionally known as Monday night dinner, but this staple is one of those Cajun recipes you will want to eat all week long. It is smoky, savory, and incredibly filling.
To achieve the authentic creamy texture, the secret is mashing some of the beans against the side of the pot before serving. Adding the sausage early allows the smoky flavor to permeate the entire dish. It's a budget-friendly classic that tastes like a million bucks.
4) Cajun Shrimp and Grits
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If you think you don't like grits, this recipe will change your mind. Cajun Shrimp and Grits is a Southern classic that combines creamy, buttery textures with the sharp kick of Cajun spices.
The grits provide a soothing base that perfectly offsets the heat of the spiced shrimp. While grits are tasty on their own, topping them with zesty seafood makes for a breakfast, lunch, or dinner that feels decadent and satisfying.
5) Jambalaya
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Jambalaya is a beautiful one-pot rice dish that highlights the Spanish and French influences on Cajun cuisine. It is often compared to paella but carries a distinct Louisiana flair with its heavy use of the holy trinity: onion, celery, and bell pepper.
This recipe is a protein powerhouse, featuring a trio of shrimp, chicken, and sausage cooked directly with the rice to absorb every ounce of flavor. It is one of the most colorful and hearty Cajun recipes you can make for a crowd.
6) Smothered Chicken
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"Smothered" is a beautiful word in Southern cooking, and this Smothered Chicken lives up to the hype. The chicken is pan-fried and then absolutely covered in a rich, creamy gravy made savory with bacon grease and pan drippings.
This is pure comfort food. The combination of juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and savory gravy makes it one of the most indulgent Cajun recipes on our list. Serve it alongside biscuits or mashed potatoes to soak up every drop of that sauce.
7) Louisiana Deviled Crab Cakes
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Forget bland crab cakes; these Louisiana Deviled Crab Cakes pack a serious punch. Crab meat offers a delicate texture, but this recipe elevates it with the addition of sour cream, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a kick of cayenne pepper.
These cakes are perfect as an elegant appetizer or a light dinner served with a zesty salad. They showcase how Cajun recipes can transform simple seafood into something complex and flavorful.
8) Smothered Cabbage and Potatoes
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If you are looking for a side dish that is economical but full of flavor, Smothered Cabbage and Potatoes is the answer. It is a humble rustic dish that proves Cajun recipes don't always need expensive proteins to be delicious.
The vegetables are simmered in chicken broth until they are perfectly tender and have absorbed all the savory liquid. It is warm, hearty, and the perfect accompaniment to a spicy main course.
9) Cajun-Style Fried Deviled Eggs
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You have likely had deviled eggs, but have you ever had them breaded and fried? These Cajun-Style Fried Deviled Eggs are a unique twist on the picnic classic, featuring a crispy Panko coating seasoned with gumbo filé powder.
The gumbo filé (powdered sassafras leaves) adds an authentic earthy flavor that sets these apart. Crisp on the outside and creamy on the inside, they are a fantastic finger food for any gathering.
10) Spicy Cajun Dipping Sauce
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A great sauce can elevate any meal, and this Spicy Cajun Dipping Sauce is a refrigerator essential. It’s a creamy, zesty condiment that brings the heat of New Orleans to burgers, chicken tenders, or fries.
Making your own sauce allows you to control the spice level, but true Cajun recipes usually embrace the heat. Use this as a dressing, a dip, or a spread to instantly add a Southern kick to your standard dishes.
11) Cajun Shrimp Dip
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This Cajun Shrimp Dip is so hearty it could almost be a meal on its own. Loaded with chunks of juicy shrimp, peppers, and plenty of melted cheese, it is a show-stopping appetizer for game day or parties.
Like the best hot dips, it starts with a cream cheese base but gets a massive upgrade from Cajun-fried shrimp. Serve this with crusty bread or tortilla chips and watch it disappear in minutes.
12) Cajun Corn Maque Choux
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Maque Choux is a classic Cajun side dish that highlights corn in all its glory. It is a colorful, sweet, and spicy mixture of corn, peppers, onions, and often jalapeños, sautéed in bacon grease for maximum flavor. This dish adds a vibrant crunch to any plate. It pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken or steak and is one of those Cajun recipes that beautifully blends vegetable freshness with savory richness.
13) Boudin Balls
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Pronounced “boo-dan,” these Boudin Balls are a staple of Louisiana cuisine. They are essentially savory sausage meatballs that are breaded and fried to golden perfection, often served as a party snack or appetizer.
Using sausage meat gives these balls a head start on flavor, but adding cayenne and hot sauce takes them to the next level. Whether you make them as spheres or patties, they are a crunchy, meaty delight.
14) Authentic Cajun Dirty Rice
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Don't let the name scare you off; Dirty Rice is one of the most flavorful Cajun recipes you will ever try. The "dirty" appearance comes from the inclusion of ground pork and chicken livers, which provide a deep, rich, and savory taste.
Even if you aren't a fan of liver, it is finely minced and cooked down so that it simply adds a meaty complexity to the rice that you can't get any other way. It’s an authentic staple that deserves a spot on your table.
15) Muffaletta Sandwiches
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The Muffaletta is the ultimate New Orleans sandwich. It is a massive round loaf piled high with layers of Italian meats, cheese, and the most crucial ingredient: a spicy olive tapenade. The salty, tangy tapenade soaks into the bread, making every bite juicy and flavorful. This sandwich is perfect for feeding a crowd and is a must-try for any olive lover exploring Cajun and Creole cuisine.
16) Cajun Black-Eyed Peas
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Black-eyed peas are a nutrient-dense ingredient that shines in this simple Cajun recipe. Cooked in chicken broth with hot sauce, bay leaves, and Cajun spices, these peas are transformed from plain legumes into a smoky, savory side dish.
Finishing the dish with crumbled bacon adds a salty crunch that makes these peas irresistible. It is a quick and easy way to add fiber and flavor to your meal rotation.
17) Cajun Potato Salad
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This isn't your average picnic side. Cajun Potato Salad stands out thanks to a dressing made with blackened seasoning, mayonnaise, mustard, and vinegar. The spices give it a kick that standard mustard potato salad lacks.
Blackened seasoning is similar to Cajun blends but slightly milder, providing flavor without overwhelming heat. Served with boiled eggs and creamy potatoes, this dish will be the star of your next barbecue.
18) Hoppin’ John
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Hoppin’ John is a traditional rice and bean dish often eaten for good luck, but it’s delicious enough to eat year-round. This slow-cooked recipe features black-eyed peas, rice, and smoked ham for a beautifully smoky flavor profile.
By incorporating the Cajun holy trinity (onion, green pepper, celery), this dish gets a boost of aromatic flavor. Leftovers are fantastic fried up with hash browns for a hearty breakfast.
19) Homemade Cajun Onions
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Caramelized onions are great, but Cajun Onions are on another level. Cooked slowly in butter and Cajun spices, these onions become sweet, spicy, and incredibly tender.
They make the perfect topping for burgers, steaks, or even just a slice of crusty bread. The key is low and slow cooking to let the spices bloom without burning the onions.
20) Cajun Pan Fried Brussels Sprouts
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Even Brussels sprouts haters might convert after trying this recipe. Pan-fried with the classic Cajun veggie base and excellent seasoning, these sprouts are crispy, savory, and full of character.
The addition of bacon and onion ensures that there is nothing boring about this vegetable dish. It’s one of those healthy Cajun recipes that doesn't sacrifice an ounce of flavor.
To finish off your Cajun feast, you need something sweet. This Pineapple and Coconut Cajun Cake is a moist, fruity dessert that is impossible to resist.
It’s a simple sheet cake loaded with crushed pineapple and topped with a crunchy pecan and coconut glaze. The sweet sauce soaks into the warm cake, making it tender and decadent—the perfect end to a spicy meal.
These Cajun recipes are the perfect way to bring the flavor of New Orleans to your kitchen. If you want more ideas, checkout our other recipe posts or our random recipe generator.