7 Vegetables That Go with Cajun Food

Cajun food is known for its bold and spicy flavors.

But what vegetables go with Cajun food?

From okra to sweet potatoes to corn, I’ve rounded up the 7 best vegetables to pair with Cajun dishes.

Cajun food is a cuisine that’s rich in flavor and history.

It’s a style of cooking that originated in Louisiana and is influenced by French, African, and Native American cultures.

Cajun dishes are typically made with a trinity of vegetables, which includes bell peppers, onions, and celery.

And of course, no Cajun dish is complete without a good dose of spice.

If you’re looking to add some vegetables to your Cajun dish, you’ll want to choose ones that will complement the bold flavors.

What Vegetables Go with Cajun Food?

Some vegetables that go well with Cajun food are corn, potatoes, green beans, and squash. These vegetables can be cooked in various ways, such as boiled, roasted, or grilled. The reason these vegetables go well with Cajun food is because they can absorb the bold flavors of the spices used in Cajun cuisine.

Here are 7 of the best vegetables to pair with Cajun food:

Potatoes

Potatoes have always been one of my favorite vegetables to eat with cajun food.

I usually just bake them, but sometimes I’ll fry them up as well. Sweet potatoes also go well with cajun food, and they can be baked, grilled, or even roasted.

If you’re not sure how to cook them, I’d suggest you start with baking or roasting, as those methods are pretty foolproof.

Carrots

Next on this list of veggies is carrots.

These orange little guys are a great source of Vitamin A and potassium.

They also happen to pair really well with cajun food.

So, if you’re looking for a healthy and tasty way to round out your next cajun meal, carrots are a great option.

Here are some ideas for how to prepare them:

• Grilled carrots: Toss carrots with olive oil and a little bit of salt. Then, grill them over medium-high heat until they’re slightly charred and tender.
• Carrot slaw: Shred or julienne carrots and toss with a vinegar-based dressing. This makes a great side dish or topping for grilled meats.
• Roasted carrots: Cut carrots into uniform pieces and toss with olive oil and your favorite herbs or spices. Roast in a preheated oven until tender and lightly browned.

Celery

Celery might come as a surprise to some, but it is actually a great vegetable to pair with cajun food.

The reason being is that celery has a bit of a peppery flavor to it that helps to enhance the spices in cajun dishes.

If you’re not sure where to start, try adding some celery to your next jambalaya (See Also: What Salad Goes With Jambalaya?) or gumbo recipe.

Here are 5 ways to add celery to your cajun dishes:

1. Sautéed celery – Add some chopped celery to your next dish of sautéed vegetables.
2. Celery in gumbo – Add some diced celery to your next gumbo recipe.
3. Celery slaw – Make a simple slaw by adding shredded celery, mayonnaise, and vinegar.
4. Celery and beans – Add celery to your next pot of beans for extra flavor.
5. Celery soup – Make a creamy celery soup by adding celery, potatoes, and milk to a pot and simmering until the vegetables are soft.

Onion

Onions are a very hardy vegetable and can withstand the strong flavors of cajun food.

They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, and pungencies, so there is an onion for every palate.

They can be sweet or sour, soft or crisp, tangy or dripping with umami, and they add extra depth to any dish.

Onions are a perfect complement to the bold flavors of cajun cuisine.

Here are 5 ways to cook with onions:

1. Sauté them: Sautéed onions are a classic way to add flavor to any dish. They can be used as a base for soups and stews, or as a topping for burgers and sandwiches.
2. Caramelize them: Caramelized onions are a great way to add sweetness and depth to savory dishes. Try them in a grilled cheese sandwich, on top of a pizza, or in a savory omelet.
3. Roast them: Roasted onions are a great way to add flavor to roasted meats and vegetables. Try them alongside a roast chicken (See Also: What Herbs Go with Roast Chicken? 12 Herbs for Roast Chicken), in a vegetable soup, or on top of a salad.
4. Grill them: Grilled onions are a great way to add flavor to grilled meats and vegetables. Try them on top of a burger, in a kebab, or alongside grilled chicken or fish.
5. Pickle them: Pickled onions are a great way to add flavor and acidity to dishes. Try them in a salad, on top of a sandwich, or in a Bloody Mary.

Garlic

Oh yes, garlic is a must-have for any Cajun dish.

This veggie is not only easy to use, but it also packs a flavorful punch that enhances any dish it’s added to.

Plus, it’s good for you!

That’s right, garlic has been shown to improve cholesterol levels, making it a heart-healthy addition to your meal.

So whether you’re cooking up a pot of gumbo or whipping up a batch of jambalaya, be sure to add some garlic to the mix.

Your taste buds will thank you!

Here are 5 recipes where I think garlic can truly shine in a Cajun dish:

1. Cajun Garlic Shrimp: This dish is so easy to make and is packed with flavor. Simply saute some shrimp with garlic, Cajun seasoning, and butter. Serve over rice for a complete meal.
2. Cajun Garlic Chicken: This chicken dish is full of flavor and perfect for a weeknight meal. Season chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning, garlic, and paprika. Then, cook in a skillet until golden brown and cooked through. Serve with rice and a side of veggies for a complete meal.
3. Cajun Garlic Potato Soup: This soup is hearty and filling, and the garlic really adds a nice depth of flavor. Simply saute some diced potatoes and garlic in a soup pot with some Cajun seasoning. Add chicken broth and simmer until the potatoes are tender. Serve with a side of bread for dipping.
4. Cajun Garlic Rice: This rice dish is a great side to any Cajun meal. Simply cook rice according to package instructions. Then, saute garlic in a tablespoon of butter. Add the garlic and butter to the cooked rice and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Cajun Garlic Bread: This bread is the perfect addition to any Cajun meal. Simply toast some bread and then spread with a garlic-infused butter. Season with Cajun seasoning, and serve warm.

Green Bell Peppers

You might be wondering why green bell peppers would be a good choice for cajun food.

After all, cajun food is known for being spicy, and bell peppers are fairly mild in comparison.

However, what bell peppers lack in spice they make up for in flavor and nutrition.

Bell peppers are high in iron, which is essential for carrying oxygen in the blood.

They’re also rich in Vitamin C, which helps the body heal and fight infection.

And while bell peppers have a slightly bitter flavor, that actually works well with the spices used in cajun food.

Plus, bell peppers are easy to use. You can chop them up and add them to just about anything.

So if you’re looking for a healthy, flavorful vegetable to add to your cajun dishes, green bell peppers are a great choice.

Here are 3 ways to add this specific vegetable to your cajun food:

1. Sauté them: Sautéed bell peppers are a great way to add flavor and color to any dish. Just chop them up and add them to your pan when you’re sautéing your other ingredients.
2. Roast them: Roasting bell peppers brings out their natural sweetness. You can roast them whole or chop them up first, depending on how you want to use them.
3. Add them to a gumbo: Bell peppers are a classic ingredient in gumbo. They add flavor and thickness to the dish, and they’re also a great way to add color and nutrition.

Zucchini

One of the mildest veggies out there, zucchini makes for a perfect pairing with cajun food.

The long, cylindrical shape of this veggie also makes it ideal for Cajun dishes.

And while zucchini can become bitter when overripe, that’s not usually a problem since Cajun cuisine typically uses this veggie when it’s young and fresh.

So if you’re looking for a veggie to complement your Cajun food, zucchini is a great choice!

I often use this veggie in my own Cajun dishes.

I’ll slice it up into thin rounds and sautee it with some Cajun spices. It’s a great way to add some extra veggies to your meal without overpowering the other flavors.

Plus, the pale greenish-white color of zucchini flesh looks beautiful when paired with the vibrant colors of Cajun food.