Emilee Unterkoefler
This Fat Tuesday, feel free to take it easy at home and whip up any of these Mardis Gras-inspired meals in your fave kitchen sidekick, the Instant Pot!
New Orleans’ food is full of passion and culture, which sometimes means the traditional recipes take hours to make before you can take that first bite. While these traditional steps should usually never be rushed, we’ve discovered a few pressure-cooker tweaks that can save you some time. Then, you can enjoy those soul-satisfying flavors much sooner!
Instant Pots are all about making cooking convenient. They’re fantastic for busy, task-filled days, so if you haven’t yet jumped on the bandwagon, what are you waiting for?
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo
Gumbo is a famous dish filled to the brim with flavorful ingredients and mouthwatering aromas. This quintessential Southern dish is normally simmered over several hours, which gives it those heartfelt flavors we love most.
However, the pressure cooker is a quick fix for enjoying this delicious meal without standing at your stove and stirring for hours. We love how the author of this recipe tells her readers to take their time to make the dark roux, an imperative part of traditional gumbo.
Get the Recipe: Amy + Jacky
Jambalaya
Save on cleanup and cooking time with this tasty jambalaya recipe. Made with shrimp and andouille sausage, you’ll get all the spicy comforting flavors of a traditional jambalaya, with the modern convenience of using your pressure cooker.
You’ll notice this recipe calls for tomatoes, and you start off cooking the sausage, rather than the famous holy trinity (onion, celery, and bell peppers). However, these differences incorporate both the Creole and Cajun cooking methods into one.
Get the Recipe: Boulder Locavore
Shrimp Étouffée
Shrimp étouffée (pronounced eh-too-fay) is another Mardis Gras classic that’s typically simmered for hours and thickened with a dark roux. The author guides you through detailed steps filled with tips and tricks for creating this quick, flavorful dish.
Scroll past the recipe to see helpful tutorial images and notes for extra guidance.
Get the Recipe: Dad Cooks Dinner
Red Beans and Rice
If you’re looking to make a classic New Orleans masterpiece, you’ve found one! Stuffed with andouille sausage, red beans, and all the comforting flavors of a slow-cooked meal, the whole family will love it. The best part is you don’t have to wait for this dish to simmer all day before enjoying the phenomenal flavor in every bowl.
The prep work takes about 15-20 minutes, then the Instant Pot works its magic to finish this delectable dish in style. You’ll love the authentic flavors of this satisfying meal.
Get the Recipe: Paint the Kitchen Red
Creamy Cajun Pasta with Andouille Sausage
Looking for a meal that’ll be ready in under 30 minutes? This is it! This recipe isn’t exactly traditional, nor has it been passed down from one generation to the next. However, it does feature multiple New Orleans flavors, like Cajun seasoning, andouille sausage, and more!
Get the Recipe: Simply Happy Foodie
Shrimp Po’ Boys
If you happen to own an air fryer or the attachment for your Instant Pot, these Shrimp Po’ Boys are a must for your Mardi Gras celebration. After marinating the shrimp with Creole-seasoned buttermilk, you dip it in fish fry, then let your air fryer do the rest.
Then, just assemble your sandwiches and enjoy every crunchy flavor-packed bite. This New Orleans treat is usually stuffed with fried shrimp, crawfish, crab, or (sometimes) roast beef, with tomatoes and lettuce as a finish.
What really brings this delicious sandwich together, though, is the scratch remoulade and warm crusty French bread.
Get the Recipe: Stay Snatched
King Cake Cheesecake
It ain’t Mardis Gras if you don’t have King Cake for dessert. This Instant Pot recipe transforms the traditional cake into a creamy, decadent cheesecake. What we love most about it is the quick, tasty cinnamon roll crust!
Be sure to add the purple, green, and gold sanding sugar for some appropriately themed (and delicious) décor.
Get the Recipe: Food Is a Four Letter Word
Bananas Foster Cheesecake
Banana’s Foster cheesecake is our final pick for traditional and tasty Fat Tuesday treats. This delicious dessert originated in New Orleans in the 1950s, and it’s still popular today, especially because of the rum sauce you generously spoon over the top.
Enjoy indulging in this delicious Instant Pot version you finish off with Bananas Foster topping. Be sure to grab a glass of water (or milk) because this dessert is sweet as can be.
Get the Recipe: Monday Is Meatloaf
You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to get a taste of Mardis Gras this year! Let your Instant Pot do the work, while you celebrate with a Hurricane or two!
