These Famous Louisiana Foods include beignets, po’boys, King cake, gumbo, jambalaya, andouille sausage, and praline pecans. These popular recipes will remind you of the best part of being in Louisiana.
Check out our 50 states unit study for some fun states info!

Don’t forget to check out this Louisiana Unit Study as well to learn more about fun state facts and history.
Louisiana is known for its jazz music, Creole and Cajun food, swamps, and the Mardi Gras festival. New Orleans, is filled with people from all different cultures which truly makes for a melting pot of foods.
These 10 food categories include three recipes each from notable professional chefs and home chefs with the recipe testing and dish development done for you. All you need to do is enjoy the wonderful combinations that make these dishes uniquely Louisiana.
Beignets
Beignets are dough fried in oil which puffs up into big square balls and then topped with powdered sugar. They are best served hot with a cup of chicory coffee.
Po’boy
These sandwiches are served on a long hoagie roll and stuffed with meat and topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles. While shrimp is the most popular filling for a Po’boy, you can also get fried oysters or beef and gravy as well.
Muffuletta Sandwich
Muffuletta sandwiches are made with round loaf Italian bread, olive salad, deli ham, salami, mortadella, mozzarella, and provolone.
- Classic New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich Recipe
- Authentic New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich Recipe
- Muffuletta Sandwich Recipe
King Cake
King cake is the traditional cake made to celebrate Mardi Gras. It’s a sweet bread, rolled in cinnamon sugar and decorated with green, purple, and gold icing and sugar. It’s often filled with cream cheese, chocolate, praline, coconut, or strawberry jam. The most unique thing about this cake is the tiny toy baby baked in the cake. The person who finds the baby is named the “king” or “queen” for the day.
Etouffee
This dish is made with shrimp, simmered in a roux, and onions, bell peppers, celery, tomatoes, green onions, and parsley. It’s often served on top of rice.
Gumbo
This famous Louisiana food is a thick and hearty stew is made with chicken, sausage, and shrimp in a dark roux, veggies, and served over rice. It’s often spicy and always delicious!
- Authentic New Orleans Style Gumbo
- Cajun Gumbo with Chicken and Andouille Sausage
- Favorite Gumbo Recipe!
Boudin Balls
These small fried balls are made with boudin sausage shaped into balls, breaded, and then fried. It’s often served with dipping sauce.
- Boudin Balls Recipe – How to Make Boudin Balls
- Boudin Balls (Fried Cajun Appetizers)
- Fried Boudin Balls With Remoulade Sauce Recipe
Andouille Sausage
This spicy sausage is delicious in Jambalaya, stuffed peppers, or skillet pasta.
- Cajun Sausage and Rice Skillet
- One Pot Andouille Sausage Skillet Pasta
- Andouille Sausage with Red Beans and Rice
Jambalaya
This spicy dish is made with celery, onions, green peppers, chicken, shrimp, and andouille sausage, tomatoes, okra, seasonings, and white rice.
Pralines
These candied pecans are made with sugar, butter, baking soda, salt, vanilla, and cream. They are a no-bake dessert that are delicious little snacks.

Gail
Monday 13th of June 2022
A few omissions here...crawfish etouffee needs to be on the list.
Hoagie roll??? Get outta town.
French bread for a po boy...nothing else even comes close.