Welcome to our blog post dedicated to the best soul food recipes! Soul food is not just a type of cuisine; it's a celebration of culture, history, and flavor. From rich and hearty dishes to comforting and indulgent treats, soul food has a special place in our hearts and on our plates.
In this post, we will explore some of the most beloved and mouthwatering soul food recipes that will transport you to a place of warmth and nostalgia. So put on your apron and get ready to embark on a culinary journey filled with soulful delights!
1. Soul Food
Soul Food offers a delightful array of classic Southern dishes that are sure to satisfy and warm your soul. From brunch to dessert, this collection of recipes includes favorites like Southern Baked Mac and Cheese, Chicken and Waffles, Cajun Shrimp and Grits, and Hoppin' John.
For dinner, indulge in comforting dishes such as Chicken Pot Pie, Southern Fried Chicken, and Red Beans and Rice. And don't forget to try the delectable snacks and desserts like Fried Okra, Sweet Potato Pie, and Peach Cobbler. These mouthwatering and easy-to-make recipes are perfect for celebrating National Soul Food Month or any time you crave a taste of true Southern comfort.
2. Easy Southern Soul Food Mac N Cheese
The Easy Southern Soul Food Mac N Cheese recipe is a delicious and comforting dish that captures the essence of soul food. With a creamy and cheesy texture, this mac and cheese is seasoned perfectly with garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
It combines three types of cheese – cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Colby – to create a rich and flavorful dish. Baked to golden perfection, it's a must-try for anyone craving classic Southern comfort food.
3. Soul Food Soup
Soul Food Soup is a delicious and comforting dish that combines traditional soup ingredients with good luck soul food. This recipe includes pork, black-eyed peas, greens, and a flavorful blend of seasonings. It is perfect for starting the New Year off on a positive note.
Whether made in a slow cooker or an Instant Pot, this soul food soup is easy to prepare and full of rich flavors. It incorporates ingredients that are traditionally eaten for good luck and prosperity, such as pork and black-eyed peas. Overall, Soul Food Soup is a hearty and satisfying dish that brings together the flavors of soul food in a comforting soup.
4. Black Folks Cornbread Dressing
Black Folks Cornbread Dressing is a classic soul food dish that is a must-have on any Thanksgiving menu. Made with fluffy cornbread, fresh herbs, and vegetables, this Southern delicacy is rich in flavor and comforting to the palate.
The addition of butter, chicken stock, and an egg adds a creamy and moist texture to the dressing. Whether you prefer it with shredded baked chicken, turkey, oysters, or sweet corn, this dish is a true African American staple that has stood the test of time.
5. Soul Food Macaroni and Cheese
Soul Food Macaroni and Cheese is a delicious and creamy dish that captures the essence of soul food. Made with six different cheeses, including gouda, havarti, cheddar, mozzarella, and colby jack, this mac and cheese is rich and flavorful.
The addition of evaporated milk and half & half creates a velvety texture, while the seasonings of onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika add a depth of flavor. This recipe is a true soul food classic that will transport you back to your childhood.
6. Southern Style Cornbread Dressing
Southern Style Cornbread Dressing is a savory and flavorful side dish that is perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with cornbread, onions, celery, garlic, and sage, this dressing is a classic soul food recipe. It is moist and delicious, with a hint of herbs and spices.
The addition of cream of chicken soup and chicken broth adds richness and depth of flavor. Overall, this cornbread dressing is a must-try for anyone looking to add a traditional Southern touch to their holiday table.
7. Southern Fried Chicken
Southern Fried Chicken is a classic soul food recipe that is a must-try for any food lover. This dish features a crunchy and flavorful outer coating, while the meat inside remains juicy and tender.
It is a staple in Southern cuisine and is often enjoyed with sides like mashed potatoes, collard greens, or macaroni and cheese. If you're looking for a delicious and comforting meal, Southern Fried Chicken is definitely worth a try.
8. Soul Food Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey
Soul Food Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey is a classic southern dish that is full of flavor. Made with tender collard greens and smoked turkey, this recipe is a must-try for any soul food lover.
The combination of the smoky turkey and the natural taste of the greens creates a delicious and satisfying dish. Serve it with hot sauce and vinegar for an extra kick. This recipe is perfect for Sunday dinners or holiday gatherings.
9. Baked Candied Yams
The Baked Candied Yams recipe is a classic soul food dish that is perfect for holiday dinners or any time you're craving a sweet and buttery side dish. Made with garnet yams, the yams turn out tender and vibrant in color.
The candied mixture, consisting of butter, sugar, and spices, creates a delicious caramelized glaze that adds a festive touch. Overall, this recipe is easy to make and delivers mouthwatering results.
10. Authentic Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
This recipe for Authentic Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese is a true gem. It delivers a creamy and delicious mac and cheese that is perfect for any occasion. With its rich and cheesy flavor, it is a soul food classic that will leave you wanting more.
The recipe uses real ingredients and avoids any artificial additives, resulting in a truly authentic taste. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or reheated the next day, this mac and cheese maintains its creamy texture and mouthwatering flavor. It is a must-try for anyone looking to experience the best of Southern cuisine.
11. Peach Cobbler
The Soul Food Peach Cobbler recipe is a delicious and classic dessert that captures the essence of southern cuisine. Made with canned peaches and a blend of spices, this cobbler is full of sweet flavor.
The recipe also includes store-bought crust for convenience. With its dumplings and ample cobbler juice, it stays true to the soul food tradition. A quick and fool-proof dessert, this Peach Cobbler is perfect for any occasion.
12. Soul Food Turnip Greens
Soul Food Turnip Greens are a delicious and addictive side dish that is full of flavor. Cooked in a savory chicken broth with onions, garlic, smoked turkey, red pepper flakes, and a splash of hot sauce, these turnip greens have no bitterness.
The addition of liquid smoke and baking soda helps to further lessen any bitterness. This recipe is a must-try for soul food lovers.
13. Collard Greens
Collard greens are a staple in traditional Southern soul food cuisine. This recipe, popular among Black folks, combines collard greens with various meat additions such as bacon or smoked ham hock for a rich and flavorful dish. The greens are braised in a savory liquid with vinegar, salt, and red pepper flakes, resulting in tender and delicious leaves.
Collard greens are often served alongside dishes like fried chicken or pork chops, making for a satisfying and comforting meal. Overall, this soul food recipe showcases the versatility and deliciousness of collard greens in Southern cooking.
14. Soul Food Potato Salad
Soul Food Potato Salad is a classic southern dish that is creamy, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. Made with Yukon Gold potatoes, eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, green onions, celery, pimientos, and a hint of sweetness, this potato salad is a must-try for soul food enthusiasts.
The addition of chicken base adds a unique and delicious flavor to the dish. Overall, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser and a great addition to any BBQ, cookout, potluck, or family reunion.
15. Southern Stewed Chicken
Southern Stewed Chicken is a classic soul food dish that is rich in flavor and comforting to the soul. Made with well-seasoned chicken that falls off the bone and a luscious homemade gravy, this dish is a labor of love. Browning the chicken adds an extra layer of flavor and texture, while the low and slow simmering process ensures a thick and flavorful gravy.
Optional additions like potatoes soak up the delicious chicken flavor, making this dish even more satisfying. Serve it over rice or noodles, and pair it with a green vegetable and cornbread for a complete soul food experience.
16. Soul Food Style Pork Neck Bones
Soul Food Style Pork Neck Bones is a flavorful and succulent dish that is perfect for Sunday dinner. The recipe uses pork neck bones cooked in a slow cooker with a combination of seasonings and onions.
The result is tender, fall-off-the-bone meat that is sure to satisfy. It is an easy and affordable recipe that pairs well with rice and collard greens.
17. Southern Black-Eyed Peas
Southern Black-Eyed Peas is a classic soul food dish that is hearty, comforting, and full of flavor. This recipe features smoky bacon, spicy sausage, and aromatic seasonings like garlic and thyme.
The addition of collard greens adds a nutritious element to the dish. Perfect for New Year's Day or any cold weather day, this recipe is a must-try for soul food lovers.
18. Hoppin John
Hoppin John is a classic soul food dish consisting of black-eyed peas, collard greens, and rice. This African American recipe is packed with Southern flavors and is often served with cornbread and pork jowl bacon.
It can be made vegetarian or vegan by substituting ingredients. Hoppin John is a comforting and hearty dish that is perfect for New Year's celebrations.
19. Buttermilk Fried Chicken
Buttermilk Fried Chicken is a classic soul food recipe that delivers tender, juicy chicken with a flavorful, crispy skin. The secret lies in the buttermilk marinade, which infuses the chicken with a rich, tangy flavor.
The chicken is then coated in a seasoned flour mixture before being fried to perfection. This recipe is a must-try for anyone craving a taste of Southern comfort.
20. Smothered Chicken
Smothered Chicken is a classic soul food dish that combines juicy chicken with a rich and flavorful onion gravy. The combination of bone-in and boneless chicken thighs creates a moist and tender texture.
The recipe calls for pantry-staple ingredients such as olive oil, onions, chicken bouillon, water, flour, and a variety of seasonings. The chicken is first seared to perfection and then cooked in the onion gravy, allowing it to absorb all the delicious flavors. Serve this dish with rice or mashed potatoes for a satisfying and comforting meal.
21. Vegan Southern Bowls
Vegan Southern Bowls are a hearty and comforting soul food recipe that is perfect for using up leftover black eyed peas. This recipe features sautéed collard greens, warm white rice, and southern-style vegan black eyed peas.
Topped with sliced red onion, spiralized zucchini pickles, and green onion, these bowls are packed with flavor. Whether enjoyed by the campfire or in the comfort of your own home, Vegan Southern Bowls are a delicious and satisfying meal option.
22. Southern Smothered Oxtails
Southern Smothered Oxtails is a soul food recipe that delivers comfort and flavor. The oxtails are slow-cooked until they are fall-off-the-bone tender and smothered in a homemade onion and garlic gravy.
This simple recipe uses basic ingredients like garlic, kosher salt, and onions to season the oxtails and gravy. The use of a slow cooker makes it easy to prepare, allowing the flavors to develop over time. Overall, this recipe is a must-try for anyone craving a delicious and comforting soul food dish.
23. Southern Style Pigs Feet
Southern Style Pigs Feet is a traditional soul food dish that is slow-cooked to perfection. The recipe calls for pigs feet, onions, garlic, seasonings, and water, which are cooked in a slow cooker for six hours.
The result is tender and flavorful pigs feet that fall off the bone. This dish pairs well with southern sides like potato salad and fried cabbage. Overall, Southern Style Pigs Feet is a delicious and authentic soul food recipe.
24. Southern Candied Yams
Southern Candied Yams is a classic soul food dish that is a must-have for any holiday or Sunday dinner. Made with sweet potatoes cooked in a sweet and buttery syrup, these yams are tender and glazed, bursting with rich and flavorful goodness.
This authentic recipe captures the essence of traditional Southern cooking and will leave you craving more. A true soul food staple that brings comfort and nostalgia to every bite.
25. Black Folks Southern Potato Salad
Black Folks Southern Potato Salad is a beloved soul food recipe that is a must-have at any African American gathering. It features a creamy and tangy dressing with a perfect balance of soul food seasonings and flavors.
This iconic dish is cherished for its flavorful taste and is often enjoyed alongside other cookout favorites like BBQ, fried chicken, and macaroni and cheese. It is a true crowd-pleaser and a staple in Black cuisine.
