What is maque choux, a Louisiana side dish often served alongside Southern and soul-food meals?

Maque choux is a Louisiana corn and vegetable dish.

The dish usually combines corn with tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and seasonings, although recipes vary. It is strongly associated with Cajun and Creole cooking and is commonly served as a side dish with meat or seafood.

Maque choux is sometimes mistaken for succotash because both are vegetable mixtures. Traditional succotash generally centers on corn and lima beans, while maque choux is identified especially with Louisiana-style corn cooked with aromatic vegetables. The name reflects the region’s layered French, Native American, and African culinary influences.