Nothing beats Mardi Gras, especially when you’re celebrating with a Fat Tuesday crawfish boil. In Louisiana, indulging in a proper seafood boil is a favorite pastime among the locals and a rite of passage for new residents and guests. It’s no surprise the tradition is closely intertwined with Mardi Gras—the holiday celebrated around the world, but especially here in the Pelican State.
With wild celebrations happening on every corner, making plans for the day (and night) can be overwhelming. Boiling up some great food with great people is the perfect way to kick things off right and enjoy an authentic Louisiana experience.
Laissez les bons temps rouler—let the good times roll!
Louisiana is a blast all year round, but on Fat Tuesday, the air is electric. The community comes together to pull out all the stops with parades, parties, music, art, costumes, masks, beads, and of course, some of the best cuisine you’ve ever tasted. Crawfish boils are synonymous with our state, so it’s no surprise that they’re so popular when Mardi Gras rolls around.
The Mardi Gras seafood boil has remained a longstanding tradition ever since the first Mardi Gras celebration on March 2, 1699.
Crawfish have long been a source of food for Louisianans. The Native Americans and Acadians (now known as Cajuns) relied on them as an affordable, readily available, and tasty food source. The Mardi Gras crawfish boil is the natural evolution of that way of life, taking a core food and elevating it from sustenance to celebration.
Today’s Fat Tuesday crawfish boil may look different from those of yesteryear, but the general idea has remained fairly consistent since the 1800s when the concept really came together.
At this time, the Acadians were adjusting their traditional Canadian lobster recipes for crawfish. Once Creole restaurants in New Orleans caught on to the trend, crawfish boils spread like wildfire throughout the Big Easy, Louisiana, and beyond.
The now-iconic seafood boil is a ritual that brings the community together—just like Mardi Gras. Hosting your own Mardi Gras crawfish boil is the perfect way to enjoy the company of your loved ones and probably meet some friendly locals, too.
While a lot has changed over the past few centuries, passing a good time with friends, family, and neighbors who inevitably turn into friends and family will always be part of our rich and vibrant culture. Mardi Gras is just an ideal excuse to host a boil, as visitors are in town and the locals are already gathering.
Every seafood boil is a special occasion, but there’s no denying that the holiday kicks them up a notch. Mardi Gras crawfish are especially tasty, as the holiday aligns with crawfish season, ensuring that you get the freshest catches.
The sights and sounds of Mardi Gras add a whole other dimension to the experience, especially if you’re near the major festivities. From street celebrations to live music to decorations, there’s a palpable sense of joy and excitement in every direction. It’s a unique and festive backdrop you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
On the other hand, hosting a Fat Tuesday crawfish boil can be a great way to take a break from the chaos and spend more intimate time with your loved ones. You can enjoy a Mardi Gras crawfish boil away from the festivities so you can party as much or as little as you desire. Some people prefer a laid-back celebration, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Hosting a seafood boil can be stressful, especially on Mardi Gras. Using the right setup will drastically improve the experience. We offer proprietary crawfish cooking supplies that eliminate the hassle and improve the quality of your food.
Explore innovative crawfish boil equipment, like our crawfish pot cooler, seafood boil paddle, and propane jet burner. And, don’t forget a seafood boil seasoning bag to bring those authentic Louisiana flavors to life. Cook your seafood perfectly with ease, and have a blast at your Fat Tuesday crawfish boil!
Seafood boils are (quite literally) steeped in Cajun tradition. Here in Louisiana, people have been getting together to boil crawfish, shrimp, and other seafood since the 1700s. Good food with good company—what better way to pass a good time? The classic crawfish boil is a classic for a reason. That said, sometimes you may want to change it up to keep things interesting.
Struggling with slow, inefficient crawfish, shrimp, or crab boil burners? Traditional designs waste time and propane, making it tough to get perfectly cooked seafood every time. But with the Boil Boss Triple Jet Burner, those days are over. We created the patent-pending Boil Boss Triple Jet Burner to take the stress out of cooking and help deliver the results you want from your boil.
South Louisiana’s Cajun seafood boils are world-famous. Much more than just a delicious and hearty meal, seafood boils are all-day events for friends and family to enjoy together. Good food and good company—you can’t beat it. While lobster isn’t traditionally the star of the show, it’s a great way to change up the classic Louisiana crawfish boil.