The Best Vegetarian Mardi Gras Foods to Buy at the Grocery Store

Talk to you later, tasso! Adios, andouille! Catch you on the flip side, crab! These are the best vegetarian foods to buy for Mardi Gras.

Whether you’re totally plant-based, trying to cut down on meat, or stocking the fridge for your vegan cousin who’s coming to visit, these vegetarian products are perfect for Mardi Gras. That being said, I stash these in the freezer and enjoy them anytime I’m looking for meatless alternatives for Creole and Cajun recipes.

Daring Cajun Plant Chicken Pieces: Daring is one of the few plant-based brands making a chicken alternative that’s specifically Cajun flavored. I love that! The flavor is nice and the vegan chicken is tender. These “chicken” pieces would be great chopped up and thrown into a jambalaya or tossed on top of a salad with some Cajun ranch dressing.
Blue Runner Creole Cream Style Red Beans: This is my favorite canned product of all time. Any time I go back to visit New Orleans, I pack fewer clothes so I can fill my suitcase with cans of Blue Runner. Top buttered rice with these beans and you have the perfect dinner. The ingredients are simple, but red beans just don’t taste the same if you make them at home. I promise. Buy a whole case of these on Amazon. It’s worth it.
Gardein Plant-Based F’sh Filets: Vegan fried shrimp still isn’t readily available at the grocery store. That means making one of my favorite foods, a fried shrimp po’boy, is nearly impossible. Luckily, Gardein makes these really tasty fried “fish” filets! Dressed (lettuce, mayo, tomato, pickles)? On warm French bread? Some Louisiana hot sauce? Yes, please. Go ahead and stock your freezer with these because they’re also perfect for Lent.
Simple Truth Plant-Based Black Forest Ham Style Deli Slices: These plant-based deli slices will convert a meat eater to a vegan. And on nice bread with provolone and olive salad, they makes a mean vegetarian muffuletta. Vegan ham muffulettas were a staple in my house growing up because we lived in New Orleans and my parents didn’t eat meat. Anyone can do it now that olive salad is more accessible. If you want to go full New Orleans, though, you can order Central Grocery’s olive salad on Amazon.
Impossible Spicy Sausage Links: This is not vegan andouille. Unfortunately, vegan andouille is not widely available. This is a spicy vegan sauce that doesn’t taste “Italian” and isn’t chorizo. It’s a pretty neutral-but-flavorful plant-based sausage. This is the best option for your pastalaya or gumbo if you’re meat-free. It’s not perfect, but it’s close enough and really tasty!