HONOLULU (KHON2) — Food is everyone’s favorite part of the Super Bowl.
So, here are some great ideas to make your Big Game party more authentic.
Muffulettas
A muffuletta is one of New Orleans’ signature sandwiches, and it’s the perfect option for a Big Game spread. This Italian-American creation consists of a large round loaf of sesame bread filled with layers of cured meats (like salami, mortadella, and ham), provolone cheese and a tangy, pickled olive salad.
It’s a satisfying and easy-to-serve sandwich that can be sliced and shared. This makes it an ideal dish for any gathering. Whether you buy it from the famous Quarter Master or make it at home, a muffuletta offers the perfect balance of savory, salty and tangy flavors.
Click here for a recipe.
for a traditional recipe or here for twists on the yummy recipe.
Charbroiled oysters
Oysters are a New Orleans delicacy, and charbroiled oysters are an essential dish that combines the city’s love of seafood with a smoky, garlicky twist. Fresh oysters are charbroiled with a butter-garlic sauce, topped with parmesan cheese and seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices.
The result is a rich, savory bite that’s perfect for sharing. You can easily recreate this dish at home by grilling oysters and smothering them in a garlic-butter sauce to create a memorable appetizer for your Big Game celebration.
You can click here for a recipe.
Dirty rice
Dirty rice from New Orleans is a quintessential Creole dish that brings the rich flavors of the city right to your plate. Made with seasoned rice; a mix of ground meats like pork, sausage and chicken; and a combination of vegetables such as onions, bell peppers and celery (roux), this dish is a hearty, flavorful delight. The name “dirty” comes from the way the rice absorbs the rich flavors from the meats and spices that give it a deep, savory color.
Dirty rice delivers a delicious blend of smoky, spicy and umami flavors. It’s a comforting, easy-to-make dish that can be shared which is what makes it a perfect addition to your Big Game spread.
Click here for a recipe
Hushpuppies
Though hush puppies are often linked to Southern cuisine, they’ve become a staple in New Orleans as well. These deep-fried cornmeal balls, often served alongside fried seafood, are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Their subtly sweet flavor complements the salty richness of fried catfish or shrimp. Whether you make them from scratch or buy them from a local restaurant, hush puppies are an easy, crowd-pleasing snack.
You can click here for a recipe.
Fried catfish and fried shrimp
New Orleans is known for its seafood, and fried catfish and fried shrimp are two of the city’s most beloved dishes. The shrimp are coated in a seasoned batter and fried to crispy perfection.
For a truly authentic New Orleans experience, serve these fried shrimp on a po’boy. That’s a French roll filled with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and spicy remoulade sauce. Fried catfish is another must-have, and it pairs beautifully with a side of hushpuppies.
You can click here for a fried catfish recipe. You can also click here for a po’boy recipe.
Fried okra and fried green tomatoes
No Southern-inspired spread is complete without fried okra and fried green tomatoes. These two crispy delights are staples of the region.
Fried okra, with its crunchy exterior and tender interior, is a perfect finger food, while fried green tomatoes offer a tangy, crispy bite that complements the flavors of the main dishes. Both are ideal sides to pair with fried seafood or serve as appetizers during your Big Game feast.
You can click here for a fried okra recipe and here for a fried green tomato recipe.
Gumbo
No Big Game celebration with a New Orleans theme would be complete without gumbo, a hearty, comforting dish that can be made with a variety of meats and seafood that’s akin to Asian curries.
The most popular types are chicken and sausage gumbo and seafood gumbo, with ingredients like shrimp, crab, alligator and okra in a rich, flavorful broth. The key to a great gumbo is the roux.
This is a dark, rich paste made from flour and oil that forms the base of the dish. Served over rice, gumbo is a delicious and filling to satisfy everyone enjoying your Big Game spread.
You can click here for a recipe.
Etouffee
Like gumbo, etouffee is a classic Louisiana dish; but it’s thicker and typically made with shellfish, most commonly shrimp or crawfish. The word “etouffee” comes from the French term “étouffer”, meaning “to smother”.
And that’s exactly what this dish does. It smothers the seafood in a rich, flavorful sauce made from butter, vegetables and spices. It’s served over rice which makes for a satisfying and hearty dish that will fill your guests with warmth and flavor.
You can click here for a shrimp inspired recipe and here for a crawfish inspired recipe.
Red beans and rice
A quintessential New Orleans dish, red beans and rice has deep roots in the city’s culinary traditions. Traditionally served on Mondays (the day for laundry), this dish features red beans are cooked with onions, bell peppers and spices, and served with smoked sausage (often kielbasa) or pork chops.
The dish creates a savory stew served over rice that is also akin to Asian curries. It’s the ultimate comfort food. A simple yet flavorful food that makes an excellent addition to any Big Game party.
You can click here for a recipe.
Po’boys
A po’boy is another beloved New Orleans sandwich that’s perfect for a Big Game gathering. Traditionally made with fried shrimp, oysters or roast beef, this sandwich is served on a soft French baguette and dressed with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and remoulade sauce.
The crispy fried shrimp or oysters complement the freshness of the vegetables and the tangy sauce, making it a delicious, satisfying meal.
You can click here for a fried oyster po’boy recipe, here for a fried shrimp po’boy recipe and here for a roast beef po’boy recipe.
Bonus: Desserts and sweets
For an added bonus, why not add some yummy, sweet treats inspired by New Orleans.
Beignets
New Orleans is famous for its beignets, those fluffy, deep-fried pastries that come dusted in powdered sugar. They’re as iconic as the city itself and make for a perfect treat during the Super Bowl.
Café du Monde is the most famous producers of the puffy pillow pastries; and they’re easy to make at home, too. Crispy on the outside and pillowy on the inside, beignets are a beloved indulgence that can be enjoyed at any time, especially during a Big Game party.
You can find boxes of Cafe du Monde beignet mix at Target and Wal-Mart. Or you can click here
Pralines
For dessert, pralines are a sweet treat you can’t miss. These sugary confections are made from brown sugar, butter, cream and pecans. This combination creates a rich, creamy texture with a delightful crunch.
Pralines are a beloved New Orleans candy that’s often found in local shops and bakeries, and they make for a perfect ending to your Big Game feast.
You can click here for a recipe.
King Cake
Since the Super Bowl takes place during the 2025 Mardi Gras season, King Cake is a natural choice to add to your spread. This cinnamon-filled cake is decorated in the Mardi Gras colors of purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power) and is a festive and traditional treat that is enjoyed throughout the region during Carnivale season.
It’s a seasonal favorite that brings both sweetness and fun to the occasion. The tradition of hiding a small plastic baby inside the cake adds an extra layer of excitement. Whoever finds the baby will host the next party.
Whether you choose a classic version or one filled with cream cheese or praline, King Cake is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. You can click here for a recipe or here to order a King Cake from Paul’s Patries.
If you aren’t able to find a king cake, an easy solution is to use cinnamon rolls and sprinkle purple, green and gold sugars on top of the icing.
Laissez les bon temps rouler!