These flavorful Cajun-inspired side dishes will transport you straight to Louisiana! With dishes like cornbread and red beans and rice, these simple recipes are packed with bold flavors.
New Orleans is a city where you could easily spend an entire day indulging in its incredible food, and for good reason—it’s nothing short of amazing!
Cajun sides are known for their vibrant flavors, simple preparation, and the use of fresh ingredients.
They make the perfect accompaniment to anything from pork chops to roasted chicken, offering a colorful and sometimes spicy twist that will steal the spotlight at your dinner table.
Since we can’t always make our way to the Big Easy, try out these 20 mouthwatering Cajun side dishes to add some zest to your next meal!
Contents
20. Cajun Potatoes and Onions Quick and Easy Side Dish
If you’re looking for a super quick and easy side dish packed with flavor, this recipe is just what you need! It serves about 4-6 people, making it perfect for a small gathering or family meal.
A couple of tips: Make sure to measure with care! The Creole seasoning contains a good amount of salt, so it’s important not to add too much. If you’re not sure, start with a little and taste as you go.
This will ensure you don’t end up with a dish that’s too salty. With just the right amount of seasoning, you’ll have a flavorful side that complements any main dish perfectly.
19. Cajun Cooking: Corn Salad
Grilling season is finally here, and a great side salad is a must for any meal off the grill. Corn salads are perfect for hot summer days and pair wonderfully with just about any grilled meat, especially when combined with southern or Cajun flavors.
While you could experiment with other vegetables, this particular mix is ideal for complementing Cajun dishes. For the best texture, make sure to chop everything small—except the tomatoes.
Opt for small tomatoes and simply cut them in half; the larger pieces add a nice contrast. This way, the salad has a balanced texture that perfectly complements the grilled flavors.
18. Cajun-spiced Smothered Green Beans
These Cajun-seasoned green beans are the ideal smoky, flavorful side dish to elevate your main courses.
I can’t get enough of them! The blend of sweet brown sugar, savory bacon, creamy butter, umami-rich soy sauce, and fragrant garlic transforms simple canned green beans into something extraordinary.
The spices bring out a depth of flavor that pairs perfectly with everything from grilled meats to hearty casseroles.
Once you try them, you’ll never look at green beans the same way again—this dish is a game-changer, turning an everyday veggie into a standout star of your meal.
17. Easy Cajun Remoulade Sauce for Dipping or Drizzling
The sauce is a flavorful mix of mayo, grainy mustard, garlic, horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and fresh parsley.
Simply combine all the ingredients and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve.
What I love most about this remoulade is its versatility. It’s the perfect match for Cajun chicken, adding a creamy, tangy kick that enhances the spices in the dish.
But it’s not just for chicken—this sauce is fantastic for dipping, or spreading on sandwiches, crab cakes, fried pickles, and so much more.
16. Creamy Coleslaw for Cajun Chicken or Andouille Sausages
When you’re serving something as spicy as Cajun chicken, you’ll want a cooling, creamy slaw to balance out the heat, and this recipe does just that!
It’s creamy without being too heavy, sweet yet tangy, and the cabbage stays delightfully crisp.
The dressing comes together in minutes, using mayonnaise, a pinch of sugar, vinegar, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Just toss it with the packaged coleslaw mix and let it chill for an hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
It’s the perfect refreshing side to complement your Cajun chicken and cool things down!
15. Easy Creole Style Vegan Jambalaya Recipe
Jambalaya is the ultimate one-pot wonder! This Louisiana comfort food classic is hearty, with a rich, satisfying texture and a nice spicy kick.
A cornerstone of Creole and Cajun cuisine, jambalaya is built on Louisiana’s holy trinity—onion, celery, and bell pepper—creating the perfect base for the dish.
While traditional jambalaya typically includes both meat and seafood, like andouille sausage, shrimp, or chicken, we love making this version as a flavorful rice dish on its own for a simple vegan twist (though it also works wonderfully as a side dish alongside meat).
14. Fried Okra – Authentic Cajun Food to Serve with Gumbo
No summer is complete without a few batches of homemade fried okra, coated in flour and fried to crispy, golden perfection. These crispy nuggets with bits of green peeking through are so tasty, they don’t need anything more than a light sprinkle of salt.
I’m a big fan of okra in every form—whether it’s grilled, roasted, added to gumbo, or smothered in tomatoes. Each way brings out its unique, delicious flavor.
13. Cajun Maque Choux – Traditional Side Dish from Louisiana
This simple vegetable side dish is packed with layers of flavor and loved all year long. Fresh corn is braised in a savory onion and pepper mixture, then stewed with a splash of stock until everything becomes tender and flavorful.
Despite its simplicity, maque choux delivers a surprisingly complex taste. While it’s traditionally made in summer and fall with fresh, sweet corn, it’s a staple on Louisiana dinner tables year-round.
You’ll often find maque choux as a side dish during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, adding a touch of Southern comfort to any celebration.
12. Homemade Beignets
You haven’t truly experienced New Orleans until you’ve had a fresh batch of warm beignets from Café du Monde.
These square doughnuts are deep-fried to perfection and generously dusted with powdered sugar, making for one indulgent treat.
What I love about beignets is that they don’t need to be perfectly shaped—the irregular edges are just as delicious as the neat little squares.
While you can fill them if you like, they’re so amazing on their own that you really don’t need anything extra—except maybe a hot coffee and some live jazz to complete the experience.
11. Make at Home Crispy Fried Cajun Chicken Tenders
No matter how old we get, chicken tenders will always be a guilty pleasure.
Though I do occasionally wonder which part of the chicken they actually come from!
Making your own takes away the guesswork and seriously boosts the flavor.
Be sure to add your spices to the flour before dipping the chicken into the egg mixture—it really makes a difference.
For an extra kick, dust the tenders with some additional Cajun seasoning right after they come out of the hot oil.
Serve them with a side of Cajun ranch dressing, and you’ve got all the spice you can handle!
10. Flavor-packed Grilled Cajun Shrimp Skewers
With their mild flavor, shrimp are the perfect canvas for Cajun seasoning.
They only need 30 minutes to marinate and cook in less than 10 minutes!
Since shrimp cook quickly, you don’t have to worry about the seasoning burning during the process.
The bold, kicked-up marinade really brings these shrimp to life, making them incredibly flavorful. Serve them over rice and don’t forget to squeeze those charred lemons on top—this adds an extra burst of brightness and makes every bite even more delicious.
9. Make in Slow Cooker Cajun Ham & Beans
I honestly don’t know why we don’t have beans more often as a side dish.
They’re hearty, affordable, and when cooked properly, they’re packed with flavor.
Using dried beans is a great way to keep the cost down, but if you’re short on time, canned beans can work just as well for a quicker version.
Diced ham adds a lovely salty kick, giving the beans a chunky texture, but you can’t go wrong with bacon or sausage as alternatives. Each option brings its own delicious twist to the dish!
8. Cajun Coleslaw with Flavorful Dressing
As much as I love using a fresh vegetable medley in this recipe, you can always use a store-bought mix to save time.
The dressing’s ingredient list might seem long, but chances are you already have ketchup, lemon juice, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce tucked away in your fridge.
The key to achieving a smooth dressing is to slowly incorporate the oil while continuously whisking in the other ingredients.
For the best flavor, try to prepare the dressing about an hour ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld together.
7. Cajun Crab Dip with Horseradish, Cream Cheese, and Sour Cream
This creamy dip is packed with horseradish, cream cheese, sour cream, and crab meat, making it a rich, flavorful treat.
The Cajun spice and hot sauce add a nice kick, and it’s served hot, making it extra comforting.
Even though it’s incredibly creamy, you might think it needs more hot sauce, but trust me, the horseradish holds its own and delivers plenty of heat!
That said, for those die-hard hot sauce fans, feel free to drizzle a little extra on top for an added boost of spice.
6. Spicy Cajun Chicken Wings
I’m a huge fan of spicy foods, but I often find hot sauce to be a bit too acidic for my taste.
It’s just a little too sharp for my liking, which is probably why I’m drawn to Cajun spice so much. It offers a beautiful, steady heat with a warmth that doesn’t come with that tangy bite.
The combination of paprika, cayenne, garlic, and other seasonings gives it a complex flavor that builds without overwhelming your taste buds. If you have the time, letting your wings marinate overnight will really let those spices settle in and develop.
Trust me, it’s worth the wait for that extra boost of flavor!
5. Traditional Cajun Red Beans and Rice
This might be more of a main dish, but I just had to include it.
The simplicity of red beans, cooked with the holy Cajun trinity of celery, onion, and peppers, is absolutely mouthwatering—especially when paired with the smoky goodness of andouille sausage!
As the recipe suggests, I prefer to cook the sausage right along with the beans, allowing its rich flavor to infuse the whole dish.
If you’re looking for a thicker consistency, simply mash some of the beans and stir them back in. This adds a creamy texture while still keeping that hearty, flavorful essence.
4. Cajun Summer Garden-fresh Vegetables
If you’re anything like me, you love the idea of roasted veggies but often end up disappointed by how bland they can taste.
The good news is, Cajun spice can take even the most basic vegetables and turn them into something exciting!
Just make sure to toss the veggies in the Cajun seasoning at the end, so the spice doesn’t burn during the cooking process.
If you don’t have a grill wok or basket, you can easily use a disposable foil pan. Simply poke holes in the bottom with a meat fork to allow any excess liquid to drain, and you’ll have perfectly roasted veggies every time.
3. Southern Louisiana Dirty Rice
There’s a long-standing tradition in Louisiana—Monday is for laundry and red beans and rice.
I’ll never forget my first time in New Orleans, over 15 years ago. I arrived at my hostel and was immediately handed a big plate of red beans with dirty rice and a cold beer on the side.
That moment, I knew New Orleans was the place for me.
While “dirty rice” might not sound all that appealing, it’s packed with ground pork and beef, mixed with celery, peppers, onions, and plenty of herbs for flavor.
Traditionally made with chicken livers, you can easily swap those out for sausage meat if you prefer a slightly different twist.
2. Cajun Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Garlic Salt, Paprika, Oregano, Thyme, and Cayenne Pepper
Can we all agree that fries are one of the best foods out there? There’s something about that crispy, golden exterior and soft, fluffy interior that just hits the spot every time.
If you’ve ever had any doubt, this recipe for Cajun sweet potato fries will certainly sway you.
These fries are anything but bland! The combination of garlic salt, paprika, oregano, thyme, and cayenne pepper creates an irresistible flavor profile that’s smoky, savory, and just the right amount of spicy.
The sweetness of the potatoes balances beautifully with the bold, Cajun seasoning, giving you the perfect contrast of flavors. Trust me when I say—you’ll need to make double because these fries will disappear faster than you can say “delicious”!
They’re perfect on their own or as a side to your favorite dish.
1. Make Maque Choux with Corn, Peppers, and Onion
I absolutely love corn, so much that I’ll add it to just about anything I can—yes, even cake!
While I’m happy to enjoy it on its own with just a little salt and butter, I really enjoy discovering new ways to serve this sweet, crisp veggie.
Maque Choux is a perfect blend of corn, peppers, and onions, with a delightful kick from jalapeños and Cajun seasoning. The best part? It’s cooked in bacon fat, which gives it a rich, savory flavor that brings the whole dish to life.
This vibrant and flavorful side dish is guaranteed to be a hit at your next meal, adding that perfect balance of heat and sweetness!
20 Delicious Cajun Side Dishes: Exploring Maque Choux and More from Louisiana
Discover 20 flavorful Cajun side dishes, including authentic maque choux and more! Cook up traditional Cajun delights to complement your gumbo and jambalaya.
Ingredients
- Cajun Potatoes and Onions
- Corn Salad
- Cajun-spiced Smothered Green Beans
- Cajun Remoulade Sauce
- Creamy Coleslaw
- Creole Style Vegan Jambalaya Recipe
- Fried Okra to Serve with Gumbo
- Cajun Maque Choux
- Beignets
- Crispy Fried Cajun Chicken Tenders
- Grilled Cajun Shrimp Skewers
- Slow Cooker Cajun Ham & Beans
- Cajun Coleslaw
- Cajun Crab Dip
- Cajun Chicken Wings
- Red Beans and Rice
- Cajun Summer Vegetables
- Louisiana Dirty Rice
- Cajun Baked Sweet Potato Fries
- Cajun Corn Maque Choux
Instructions
- Choose any Cajun Side Dishes from the post that you like
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best Cajun Side Dishes and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
I’m Anastasia and I’m a full-time blogger, online entrepreneur, and Pinterest marketing strategist. I help digital entrepreneurs and bloggers drive targeted traffic from Pinterest either through my online courses or through Pinterest consultancy.