Southern is as Southern Does – Cajun Recipes

Jenny deRemer

Aug 01, 2025

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Welcome to “Southern is as Southern Does – Cajun Recipes,” where we celebrate the vibrant and bold flavors of the American South and Louisiana’s Cajun cuisine. Known for its unique blend of spices and hearty ingredients, Cajun cooking brings warmth and excitement to any meal. In this collection, you’ll find classic recipes like Blackened Fish, Muffaletta Sandwiches, and Jambalaya, as well as creative dishes like pastas and sheet pan recipes that showcase the versatility of Cajun flavors.

Table of Contents

Citrus Shrimp with Louis Sauce – Mardi Gras Louisiana Shrimp Recipes

A woman dipping a shrimp into sauce.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Louis Sauce is a zesty Cajun shrimp sauce that begins as a shrimp cocktail base with horseradish and gets an extra kick from chili sauce, Worcestershire sauce, grated onion, crushed red pepper, and hot sauce. Fresh shrimp are boiled with the juices from oranges, grapefruits, pineapple, lemons, and limes, plus a hefty pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to keep things lively.

Get This Recipe: Citrus Shrimp with Louis Sauce – Mardi Gras Louisiana Shrimp Recipes

Cajun Steak with Grilled Patatas Bravas

A plate featuring slices of medium-rare steak topped with grilled onions on the left, a bowl of creamy corn pudding on the top right, and golden-brown roasted potato slices on the bottom right. The food is arranged on a white plate.
Image Credit: Not Entirely Average.

Patatas Bravas is one of the most popular tapas potato dishes. Traditionally, the potatoes are boiled with baking soda, cooled, then fried, making it time-consuming for weeknights. My grilled version starts with baby potatoes pre-cooked in the microwave.

Get This Recipe: Cajun Steak with Grilled Patatas Bravas

Cajun Chicken Alfredo

Grilled and sliced chicken breast topped with grated cheese and parsley, served on a bed of pasta.
Photo Credit: A Full Living.

Cajun Chicken Alfredo combines the creamy richness of Alfredo sauce with bold Cajun seasoning, making it a standout dish for impressing guests. The hint of spice adds excitement to your dinner table. Easy to prepare, it’s an excellent choice for busy hosts. Serve over pasta for a comforting and delicious meal. Your guests will appreciate this flavorful twist.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Chicken Alfredo

Sheet Pan Shrimp and Andouille Sausage

A sheet pan filled with a colorful array of roasted vegetables and proteins, including shrimp, sliced sausage, red bell peppers, yellow squash, zucchini, and onions. Surrounding the pan are lemon slices, small bowls of seasoning, and a checkered cloth.
Image Credit: xoxoBella.

This 35-minute Shrimp and Andouille Sausage Sheet Pan Recipe combines succulent Cajun-spiced shrimp and smoky sausage with a colorful array of veggies, all roasted to perfection. It’s a taste bud delight and a cleanup breeze, making it a lifesaver for busy home cooks. Perfect for midweek meals, this dish delivers flavor and convenience in equal measure.

Get This Recipe: Sheet Pan Shrimp and Andouille Sausage

Jambalaya Recipe

Shrimp, rice, chopped green onions, and herbs in a savory sauce.
Image Credit: The Forked Spoon.

Jambalaya is a flavorful, one-pot seafood meal that’s bursting with Cajun spices, tender chicken, shrimp, and smoked sausage. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion. Serve it up for a taste of New Orleans right in your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Jambalaya Recipe

Creamy Cajun Salmon Alfredo

A fork with a bite of pasta topped with shredded cheese and pieces of salmon, over a bowl filled with the same pasta mix.
Image Credit: Bless This Meal.

This Creamy Cajun Salmon Alfredo combines rich Alfredo sauce with perfectly seasoned seafood salmon for an indulgent meal. The Cajun spices give it a kick, while the creamy sauce keeps it comforting. It’s a quick and easy dinner that’s both impressive and delicious.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cajun Salmon Alfredo

Cajun Shrimp and Grits

A plate of creamy grits topped with shrimp in a savory brown sauce, garnished with chopped herbs.
Image Credit: Dishes with Dad.

These Cajun Shrimp and Grits offer a spicy twist on a beloved Southern seafood staple. The creamy grits pair perfectly with the seasoned shrimp, creating a dish that’s both comforting and bold. It’s an easy recipe that brings a taste of the South to your table.
Get the Recipe: Cajun Shrimp and Grits

Creamy Cajun Chicken

A large skillet contains four pieces of cooked chicken topped with a creamy sauce and garnished with chopped herbs. The chicken is surrounded by a light-colored sauce with diced vegetables. A spoon rests in the skillet. A small dish of chopped herbs is nearby.
Image Credit: Downshiftology.

This Creamy Cajun Chicken is a dinner you’ll make over and over again. Cajun-spiced chicken is seared to golden perfection, then simmered in a rich, creamy sauce loaded with veggies.

Get This Recipe: Creamy Cajun Chicken

Copycat Five Guys Cajun Fries Recipe

A tray of seasoned fries garnished with parsley, accompanied by two dipping sauces—one creamy orange and the other white—placed on parchment paper.
Copycat Five Guys Cajun Fries Recipe. Photo credit: Sunglow Kitchen.

Enjoy the crispy, spicy goodness of Five Guys Cajun Fries right at home with your air fryer. The air fryer delivers a perfect crunch while keeping the seasoning just right. This recipe is ideal for those who love flavorful fries without the extra oil and mess. Your taste buds will appreciate this healthier version of a classic favorite.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Five Guys Cajun Fries Recipe

Cajun Shrimp and Crab Stuffed Shells in Vodka Sauce

A fork lifting a cheesy, baked stuffed shells adorned with herbs.
Image Credit: Erica’s Recipes.

These Cajun Shrimp and Crab Stuffed Shells in Vodka Sauce are an indulgent seafood treat. Jumbo pasta shells filled with a rich, spicy mixture of shrimp and crab, then baked in a creamy vodka sauce, are sure to impress. They’re perfect for a special dinner or a festive potluck.

Get the Recipe: Cajun Shrimp and Crab Stuffed Shells in Vodka Sauce

Best Ever Cajun Honey Butter Salmon

The image shows three pieces of grilled salmon, covered in sauce, garnished with chopped herbs, and accompanied by lemon wedges on a white plate.
Image Credit: Bless This Meal.

This Cajun Honey Butter Salmon is a sweet, spicy, and utterly irresistible seafood dish. The honey butter glaze caramelizes beautifully, creating a perfect contrast to the spicy Cajun seasoning. It’s a dish that’s sure to be a hit at any meal.
Get the Recipe: Best Ever Cajun Honey Butter Salmon

Crawfish Dip Recipe

A skillet filled with dip topped with shrimp, fresh herbs, and green onions.
Photo Credit: A Full Living.

Crawfish Dip is a creamy, cheesy seafood appetizer that’s perfect for any party. Packed with tender crawfish and spicy Cajun seasoning, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to disappear quickly. Serve it with crackers or bread for a delicious snack.
Get the Recipe: Crawfish Dip Recipe

Best Dang Shrimp Creole

A bowl with shrimp in a tomato-based sauce, garnished with chopped parsley.
Image Credit: Recipes From a Pantry.

This Shrimp Creole is a spicy, flavorful seafood dish that’s a true taste of Louisiana. The shrimp are simmered in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers, onions, and plenty of Cajun seasoning. It’s a quick and delicious dinner option that’s sure to satisfy.
Get the Recipe: Best Dang Shrimp Creole

Creamy Cajun Pasta with Shrimp

Penne pasta, seasoned shrimp, grated cheese
Photo Credit: Dishes with Dad.

This Creamy Cajun Pasta with Shrimp is a rich, spicy seafood dish that’s easy to make and full of flavor. The creamy sauce is infused with Cajun spices and tossed with shrimp and pasta for a satisfying meal. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Cajun Pasta with Shrimp

Muffaletta Sandwich

A large, overstuffed sandwich on a round loaf of bread, filled with layers of cold cuts, cheese, and chopped vegetables, cut in half and held together with skewers. In the background, a bowl of potato chips and a colorful cloth are visible.
Image Credit: xoxoBella.

The traditional Muffaletta is a perfect blend of tasty ingredients. Featuring a homemade olive spread, combined with delicious Italian deli meats and cheese, this ultimate sandwich is a must-try for anyone who loves Italian food.

Get the Recipe: Muffaletta Sandwich

Blackened Salmon

A cast iron skillet with four pieces of blackened salmon garnished with lime wedges. The skillet is on a white surface, accompanied by a small bowl of lime slices, a bowl of spices with a spoon, a striped cloth, and a white plate with cutlery.
Image Credit: Downshiftology.

Buttery, crispy, and packed with Cajun and Creole flavors, this Blackened Salmon recipe offers the perfect bite of Southern comfort food. All you need are fresh salmon filets, a handful of herbs and spices, and a sturdy skillet to achieve that delicious, blackened crust.

Get the Recipe: Blackened Salmon

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About Jenny deRemer

I am a Charleston, South Carolina-based culinary novice, an ardent authority on all things travel, a designer by trade, and the creator of Not Entirely Average. I have a weakness for farmers' markets, delight in adventures way off the beaten path, enjoy documenting my many moods through photography, and have been known to conquer the occasional yard sale with gusto!

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