13 Best Vegan Mardi Gras Recipes to Celebrate Cajun Style

If you’re searching for the best vegan Mardi Gras recipes, you’re in the right place! From the best vegan gumbo you'll ever try to the perfect vegan king cake, my collection of vegan recipes has all the flavor of a Mardi Gras celebration without any animal products!

This is the time of the year to let the good times roll, and what better way to celebrate than with some delicious vegan food!? Whether you’re throwing a Mardi Gras party or just looking for some plant based recipes to bring all the bold flavors of Louisiana classics straight to your own home, I've got you covered!

What Is Mardi Gras All About?

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a time-honored tradition rooted in feasting, music, and celebration before the Lenten season begins.

Originating from French Catholic customs, it has evolved into a worldwide spectacle, with New Orleans hosting the most famous and extravagant festivities. The Big Easy comes alive with parades, colorful beads, and an endless spread of food all around the French Quarter and the entire city.

But being vegan doesn’t mean you have to miss out! There are loads of vegan Mardi Gras recipes to pick from.

Vegan Mardi Gras Ideas

Mardi Gras is all about delicious food, celebration, and bold flavors. From spicy mains to indulgent sweets, these vegan Cajun mardi gras recipes are packed with flavor and perfect for the occasion!

1. Vegan Gumbo

No Mardi Gras meal plan would be complete without a large bowl of gumbo. My vegan gumbo swaps out all the meat and seafood for beans and plant-based sausage!

It's a dish you don't want to miss with the perfect slow cooked roux and holy trinity of onions, celery, and bell peppers to add loads of flavor. I love to serve it with fluffy white or brown rice.

Feel free to add some extra hot sauce if you like spicy foods! And if you don't like okra just use green beans. There are no rules in cooking.

2. Vegan Red Beans and Rice

Traditionally served on Mondays in Louisiana, Cajun red beans and rice is the definition of comfort food. My vegan version is made with red beans cooked at a low heat with Creole seasoning, and a hint of heat from cayenne pepper.

I normally steam my rice in my Instant Pot so it's perfectly fluffy and I can set the cook time. I love keeping vegan Mardi Gras recipes easy.

3. Vegan Muffaletta

This vegan Muffuletta is a masterpiece of vegan deli meat, dairy-free cheese, red bell peppers, and a bold, briny olive tapenade made with black olives and olive oil.

Everything is packed inside a crusty Italian loaf. It's the perfect balance of savory, tangy, and rich.

Make it ahead, slice it up, and serve for an unforgettable Mardi Gras party!

4. Vegan King Cake

This soft, sweet, and cinnamon-laced pastry is a must-have for any Mardi Gras celebration. The fun part? Hiding the plastic baby Jesus inside the cake.

Decorate with icing and colored sugar in the classic Mardi Gras colors—purple, green, and gold—to make it truly festive. It's so yummy I could eat the whole thing.

You can also make a vegan praline king cake! Either way king cake needs to be on your list of vegan Mardi Gras recipes.

5. Vegan Po’ Boy Sandwich

A New Orleans street food classic, the Po’ Boy sandwich gets a plant-based makeover with crispy, battered oyster mushrooms!

Served on a toasted baguette with a tangy vegan remoulade, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles it's an incredibly delicious and popular Southern food.

It's so good you're gonna need some paper towels for this one!

6. Vegan Jambalaya

Jambalaya is a one-pot wonder, packed with rich, smoky flavors and a mix of hearty ingredients. Traditionally made with sausage, chicken, and seafood, this vegan version keeps the spirit alive with vegan sausage and a deep, savory broth infused with Cajun seasoning.

You could also make this a jackfruit jambalaya or use soy curls or vegan shrimp! It's a really versatile recipe.

7. Cajun Tofu with Grits

Crispy, bold, and full of spicy flavor, this vegan Cajun tofu is served with creamy grits and garlicky greens.

This is an easy meal that is perfect for Mardi Gras! It captures all the deliciousness of Cajun flavors on one plate.

This recipe bakes the tofu but you could also use an air fryer!

8. Vegan Beignets

Fluffy, golden, and dusted with powdered sugar, beignets are one of the most famous treats from New Orleans.

This vegan version uses simple ingredients to create the most airy pastries when fried to perfection. They are just as good as the original recipe and perfect for dipping into chocolate or strawberry sauce!

On Mardi Gras Day, you deserve to indulge in some fatty foods.

9. Vegan Dirty Rice

Dirty rice gets its name from the way it looks—dark and speckled with spices and seasonings. This recipe brings all the depth of the traditional dish, using plant-based sausage instead of meat.

I like to think of this recipe as a healthy version of the traditional Louisiana dish. You can serve it as a side or as a main course. It's super tasty!

10. Vegan Bread Pudding

A rich, comforting dessert with deep Southern roots, bread pudding is the perfect way to use up leftover bread. This version uses coconut, cashews, and vegan butter to create the perfect taste and texture.

For extra indulgence, I serve it with my warm vegan salted caramel sauce and vegan whipped cream. Add a splash of bourbon for a grown-up twist.

11. Vegan Mushroom Étouffée

This vegan étouffée delivers all the rich flavors of Creole recipes without the seafood. It starts with a roux-based gravy infused with Creole seasoning, black pepper, and dulse seaweed flakes to create a savory broth.

Making a roux is a cooking technique worth the time and effort and this recipe makes it easy. Then oyster mushrooms add the perfect meaty texture.

Served over brown rice or white rice, this slow cooker dish is one of those must-try vegan Mardi Gras recipes!

12. Vegan Bananas Foster

This vegan bananas foster is a rich, caramelized dessert that takes just minutes of cooking! And like no prep time!

Sliced bananas are the main ingredient in a cinnamon-spiced rum sauce and served warm over creamy vegan ice cream. I love this recipe because it is a delicious treat and takes so little effort.

13. Vegan Crab Cakes

Mardi Gras is all about seafood and spice so how could I not include my vegan crab cakes recipe?! Made with a combination of heart of palm and chickpeas, the cakes are seasoned with Old Bay and incredibly good.

The recipe can also be made with jackfruit in place of hearts of palm. Both work well. And if you can't find Old Bay don't worry! You can use my copycat Old Bay seasoning recipe!

I like to serve them with a small bowl of remoulade and a squeeze of lemon.

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Wrapping It Up

As the last big feast before Ash Wednesday, Mardi Gras is all about savoring every bite. Whether you’ve spent plenty of time perfecting your vegan food spread or whipped up something quick with a short cook time, the joy of the season comes from sharing good food and good company.

From the first slice of vegan king cake to the deep, smoky spice of a slow-simmered gumbo, the best part is knowing you don’t have to miss out on any of the flavors when you have great vegan Mardi Gras recipes.

Maybe you will even discover a new favorite this year and make it again next year.

So until next Twelfth Night, enjoy every last bite and celebrate in style vegan! As they say—laissez les bon temps rouler!

❤️ One Last Thing! If you make any of my vegan Fat Tuesday recipes please leave a review and rating to let me know how you liked them! Doing so helps other readers and me too! Your feedback makes a difference.

🌟 Featured Vegan Mardi Gras Menu Idea