Stovetop Cajun White Beans

When you wanna season a pot of white beans in one fell swoop, rely on our White Bean Flavor Infusion. Whether you prefer Great Northerns, Navy Beans, Limas, or Cannellinis, you’ll be good to go.

Stovetop Creole Red Beans

Our Red Bean Flavor Infusion is a tried-and-true blend of authentic Creole spices and vegetables that’ll season a pot of red beans to perfection. You won’t believe how easy it is to get great flavor — just add beans!

Instant Pot Red Bean Soup

Enjoy the traditional flavor of red beans and rice, but in soup form! This recipe involves sautéing vegetables and sausage, then pressure-cooking with red beans, ham hock, and flavorful seasonings. After cooking, the soup is served over rice for a hearty and satisfying meal.

Slow Cooker Beef & Black Bean Chili

This slow cooker beef and black-bean chili is easy, hearty & flavorful, and it’s certain to become a gameday favorite.

Instant Pot White Bean Chili

A fast, comforting, and delicious Instant Pot white chicken chili recipe that’s great for weeknights as well as game day get-togethers.

What began as a wonderfully creative way to celebrate Mardi Gras in 2021 (when parades were cancelled due to the pandemic), “house floats” blossomed into a beloved showcase of our collective New Orleans carnival spirit. Some homes were lovingly decorated by our talented local artisans, while others were enthusiastically transformed by residents who poured their hearts into creating magical displays (with all the joy they’d normally bring to their Mardi Gras costumes). Visitors were delighted by these enchanting house floats from near and far, and the movement brought our community together in a way that touched everyone’s hearts. The spirited Krewe of House Floats even made it their beautiful mission to raise money to support friends, neighbors, local culture-bearers, and artists who were most affected by the drop in tourism.

While we see fewer house floats gracing our streets in 2025, those magical months when our homes became canvases for carnival joy will forever hold a special place in our hearts. The few cherished house floats that still appear each carnival season remind us of how our beloved city came together to keep our Mardi Gras spirit shining bright during challenging times. Among these dedicated creators, Stronghold Studios continues to bring their artistic magic to this evolving tradition, crafting spectacular displays that keep this beautiful chapter of New Orleans culture alive.

Want to experience the wonder for yourself? Check out the Official 2025 House Float Map to find these delightful displays throughout the city, or fill out the House Float Request Form to bring some carnival magic to your own home!”

Mardi Gras “House Floats”

Call it a habit, a hobby, maybe even a sport; many of us are on a mission to sample as many king cakes as possible during Mardi Gras. And whether we’re interested in the inventive newcomers to be discovered at bakeries and pop-ups across New Orleans, or the traditional childhood favorites we love returning to again and again, there’s no shortage of sugar and carbs out there for anyone who can’t seem to get enough.

Back in the day, if we wanted a king cake in New Orleans during Carnival season, we had only a few choices – namely Gambino’s, Haydel’s and McKenzie’s – and they were basic rounds of brioche dough topped with sugar crystals and the occasional maraschino cherry. But over the years, the variety of dough, flavors, fillings, stuffings, and toppings has reached a fevered pitch, and the creativity and imagination involved never cease to surprise and delight. Can you tell we’re giddy from a sugar high?

Any way you slice it, ask a dozen New Orleanians which king cake they like best, and you’ll get a dozen different answers. We all have our favorites, of course, (and some of us keep lists of the ones we want to try before the season ends).  So in the name of pure fun, let’s take a look at an unscientific sampling of king cakes around town — and what makes them special.

Wishing Town

Wishing Town is a bakery and a café in Metairie — with an Uptown location opening soon — offering everything from noodle soups and dim sum to beautiful whole cakes and tarts. And now, their own Instagram-worthy king cake, too. (I don’t know how they create the nearly fluorescent glaze colors, but wow, what a swipe-stopper.) Made with Asian milk bread style dough and your choice of coconut, pumpkin, or sweet red bean paste fillings, it’s decorated with a house made cream cheese glaze. With a super light and fluffy texture, Wishing Town’s king cake is not nearly as sugary as you might expect. So, if you don’t have a huge sweet tooth and want to try something totally unconventional, this could be for you.

Brennan’s 

Like other restaurants, Brennan’s jumped on the king cake bandwagon in 2021 — when we were all attempting to make up for a lack of Mardi Gras parades with an abundance of king cake. This year, the legendary Bananas Foster dessert that was created at the restaurant in the 1950’s has been re-invented in king cake form. Featuring a creamy, banana liquor-flavored filling inside a cinnamon and brown sugar dough, the outside is decorated with a boozy icing made with butter rum, drizzled chocolate, and a sprinkle of crunchy golden spheres. It’s worth noting that the banana flavor is mild — and my krewe actually tasted more of the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and rum. Beautiful to look at and an interesting riff on their famous dish!

Celtica

Celtica French Bakery is an exciting Parisian-inspired café and bakery in Lakeview, the latest venture from the former chef of La Boulangerie on Magazine Street. And on the average day, Celtica’s croissants steal the show. (It’s truly difficult to drive by the airy, modern spot without stopping in for a quick Pain au Chocolat.) But its traditional French king cakes, or galette des rois, are a beautiful sight to behold and a wonderful way to celebrate the season. With delicate flaky layers and a frangipane filling (also known as almond cream), this is one of the prettiest French king cakes I’ve ever seen, and a delicious alternative to the sugar-laden brioche styles around town. Pro tip: get a whole cake, or buy it by the slice.

Gambino’s & King Cake Hub

The King Cake Hub, a one stop shop that sells roughly 60 varieties of king cake from 15 different bakery partners, is a godsend for king cake lovers. And the Epiphany King Cake, a special collaboration with Gambino’s, offers up a little bit of the old and the new. Only available at the Hub, the Nutella Epiphany is a traditional brioche style king cake filled with the ever-popular hazelnut cocoa spread, iced with a generous schmear of white frosting, and dusted with purple, green and gold sprinkles. Chocolate lovers will unite on this one, for sure!

McKenzie’s

This king cake has a storied history, a cult following, and hails from a beloved bakery chain that’s no longer in business. Supposedly the original Mckenzie’s king cake recipe was sold to Tastee Donuts, whose area stores trot it out only during carnival season. The aroma brought back childhood memories as soon the bag was opened, but the texture was not exactly as we remembered it. It seemed more doughy, less brioche-like. With no cinnamon or fillings running through the cake and no icing on top, this cake goes the minimalist route with simple coverings of tri-colored sugars. For those who revere history and tradition, this one’s for you.

Manny Randazzo’s

While I was hoping to buy Manny Randazzo’s Pecan Praline version of its king cake, which won the 2012 Times-Picayune/NOLA.com King Cake Crown, the only flavor left in the bakery was the traditional Cinnamon version. (This place really churns ‘em out. Every time I’ve been there, there’s a line out the door.) Thankfully, the Cinnamon king cake did not disappoint. It runs through a very moist braided cake, which is topped by colored sugar, lots of gooey icing and purple, green and yellow sprinkles. Their philosophy seems to be ‘more is more’, so if you live by that credo as well, treat yourself to this one. And if you’re willing to pay the price, you’re in luck, because you can order online and get the traditional Cinnamon version or their Cream Cheese version shipped anywhere in the US.

Dong Phuong

A French Vietnamese bakery at the eastern edge of the city, in the New Orleans East neighborhood, Dong Phuong is a hike for those who live closer into town. But now you can get a Dong Phuong King Cake without making the trip, as they’ve partnered with local retailers across town (details are here). Featuring a horseshoe shape and a delicious brioche dough that’s rolled in shortening to create layers, the Dong Phuong king cake tastes like a flaky croissant with cinnamon threaded through it. Slathered with cream cheese icing and a sprinkling of house-colored sugars, its beautiful golden brown edges will make you want to dig in. Don’t miss this one.

Hi-Do

Another Vietnamese bakery called Hi-Do, located in Gretna on the West Bank of New Orleans, makes a traditional brioche king cake with a sugar glaze (no icing) and house-colored sugars. It’s available plain or with your choice of a long list of fillings. But because the woman at the register told me that the half cream cheese/half Bavarian cream combo is their best seller, that’s what I chose. Developed by the bakery’s owner in order to emulate McKenzie’s original recipe, their recipe has McKenzie’s beat with a richer, more tender crumb. So yes, it’s worth the trip across the Mississippi River bridge. And if you order ahead, you can choose from an array of cake shapes like a crawfish, crab, or fleur de lis. Be forewarned – they take cash or checks only.

Gracious Bakery

An artisanal bakery making a national name for itself in magazines like Travel and Leisure and Food and Wine, Gracious offers a chocolate-filled king cake made with a sweet dough that’s glazed and sprinkled with purple, green and gold decorative sugar. And you can tell from the taste that the chocolate is the high quality stuff. This one is deliciously light and flaky, through and through – and quite pretty, too. It’s pricier than the average king cake, but considering the flavor and texture, many will believe it’s worth it. The conclusion? It’s a real winner. It’s worth noting that in addition to the chocolate-filled king cake, Gracious now offers a daintier “queen” cake flavored with almond paste, plus occasional one-off flavors for limited time periods. Order online, and get the chocolate-filled version shipped anywhere in the US.

Do you have a favorite king cake? Tell us – we want to know!

Written by Julie K. – food lover, proud New Orleanian and creator of the donut day blog

“When you sit around Johnson’s table… you’re not supposed to fiddle with your phone. You talk. You meet people. You drink. You eat. You remember what it’s like to connect with strangers over a meal.” –  The Washington Post

Pableaux Johnson leads the “shenanigans” and serves his guests Red Beans & Rice made with Camellia Brand Red Kidney Beans.

RED BEANS ROAD SHOW “TEXAS TWO-STEP” POP-UP SUPPERS:

August 18  – San Antonio, Texas: Cured at Pearl  

On August 18, 2019, Pableaux Johnson will make his way to the heart of San Antonio, collaborating with chef Steve McHugh of Cured at Pearl, for a one-night-only, New Orleans-style gastronomic gathering. A homecoming of sorts – Johnson is an alumnus of Trinity University – the family-style feast commences at 6:30 p.m., with the sit-down, 3-course feast beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets for the Red Beans Roadshow at Cured are available for $55++ per person, and include a home-style, three-course meal, featuring an appetizer of Fried Quail Legs with Local Honey and Rosemary, followed by Red Beans and Rice, Cornbread, Fried Apple Cajeta Hand Pie for dessert, and wine and beer. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available, upon request. Seating is limited. Purchase tickets in advance online here.

Keeping community first, a portion of the evening’s proceeds will go to support Cured’s current Gastro Giving recipient, Say Sí – a leading youth development organization that is committed to creating a premier, inclusive, dynamic, and nurturing educational environment for San Antonio’s young people

August 20 – Dallas, Texas: Café Momentum

On August 20, Pableaux Johnson will make his way to the heart of downtown Dallas, collaborating with host chefs Chad Houser and Aaron “Fuzz” Collins of Café Momentum, for a one-night-only, New Orleans-style gastronomic gathering. The family-style feast commences at 6:30 p.m., with the sit-down, 3-course feast beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets for the Red Beans Roadshow at Café Momentum are available for $55++ per person, and include a home-style, three-course meal, featuring starters of Deviled Eggs Two Ways: Classic and State Fair Style, and Crab Cakes with Creole Rémoulade, followed by Red Beans and Rice, Cornbread, Louisiana Bread Pudding with Bourbon Crème Anglaise for dessert, beverages from Austin East Ciders, as well as wine and beer. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available, upon request. Seating is limited. Purchase tickets in advance online here.

Keeping community first, a portion of the evening’s proceeds will go to support Café Momentum’s mission, dedicated to transforming young lives by equipping the community’s most at-risk youth with life skills, education, and employment opportunities to help them achieve their full potential.

Hungry for more details? Here’s everything you need to know about the Red Beans Road Show:

Good, Simple Food & New Friends

Louisiana food writer, photographer and “general n’er-do-well” Pableaux Johnson meets up with local restaurant chefs in each town or city he visits, to host an informal, family-style feast featuring “good, simple food, camaraderie and appropriate misbehavior.” 

Pableaux Is a Hoot!

Buy your tickets and show up to eat, drink and shoot the breeze with culinary and culture enthusiasts. As ringleader and organizer of the shenanigans, Pableaux gives a short presentation on Louisiana foodways that will leave you hankering for all things Louisiana, and then it’s a fun night of breaking bread (Pableaux’s grandpa’s skillet cornbread, that is), eating down-home, delicious food and drinking a cold beer with a roomful of friendly strangers. 

Local Chefs Are in on It

Pableaux cooks his signature Red Beans & Rice made with Camellia Brand Red Kidney Beans, and his local chef partners serve up a simple starter (like deviled eggs or hand pies) and a dessert (like bread pudding or homemade pie).