African American Soul Food Recipes - Soul Food and Southern Cooking (2024)

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African American Soul Food Recipes - Soul Food and Southern Cooking (1)African American Soul Food Recipes

Hey there, food lovers! 🍗🍲 Welcome to our little corner of the internet where we celebrate the rich, flavorful world of African American Soul Food. So, let's get right to it—what's your go-to comfort dish? With such an incredible array of options, it's like choosing your favorite child, isn't it?

Ah, fried chicken—crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. It's a classic that never fails to hit the spot. Pair it with some collard greens cooked to perfection with a hint of smoky bacon, and you've got yourself a plate of heaven. And let's not forget the creamy, cheesy goodness of macaroni and cheese. It's the side dish that often steals the show!

But hey, maybe you're more of a chitterlings kind of person? No judgment here! Chitterlings, or "chitlins" as they're affectionately known, have a special place in soul food history. Served alongside fluffy white rice, crumbly cornbread, and black-eyed peas that are seasoned just right—this is a meal that speaks to the soul.

Or perhaps you're in the mood for smothered pork chops? Imagine tender pork chops, smothered in a rich, savory gravy, accompanied by cabbage that's cooked until it's just tender but still has a bit of crunch. Add some buttery lima beans, and you've got a meal that's fit for Sunday dinner. And let's not forget about pigs' feet, pinto beans, and that ever-so-comforting combo of rice and cornbread.

For those of you who love firing up the grill, we've got you covered too! There's nothing like the smoky aroma of barbecued chicken and ribs wafting through the air. Pair them with a side of baked beans that have been simmering in a blend of spices and a potato salad that's the perfect balance of creamy and tangy. Trust us, your taste buds will thank you.

Now, what's a soulful meal without the perfect drink to wash it all down? Whether you're sipping on some classic iced tea, enjoying freshly squeezed lemonade, or opting for a glass of orange juice, we've got the ideal beverage to complement your feast.

So, as you can see, when it comes to African American Soul Food, the options are endless and the flavors are out of this world. We can't wait for you to dig in and explore all the deliciousness we have to offer.

Bon appétit!

Below you will find photos and links to some of our most popular soul food recipes. Pick and choose your favorites until you have yourself a meal. With recipes in hand, you only need to do a little grocery shopping to get all the ingredients you need to cook a mouthwatering meal just like Grandmama. Enjoy!

African American Soul Food Recipes - Our Favorites

Fried Chicken

Creamed Corn

Salmon Croquette Patties

Black-eyed Peas

Fried Catfish

Homemade Biscuits

Chitterlings

Homemade Meatloaf

Collard Greens

Smothered Pork Chops

Lima Beans

Potato Salad

Banana Pudding

Sweet Potato Pie

Tomato Soup

Sweet Tea

Well after looking at our favorites list above you might be thinking, everything looks and sounds so good so what should I eat?

If you ask me, I like them all.

I don't have just one African American soul food recipe favorite. I like to say, I enjoy eating and feasting on them all. You don't have to try them all in one weekend. We recommend that you pass yourself. At least give yourself a month or two to work you way through the list of African American soul food recipes you see below.

There are some awesome African American cooks all around the country who love to get in the kitchen and whip up delicious meals. Are you one of these cooks? If so, look below for a fewAfrican American recipefavorites.

More Soul Food Recipe Favorites

Drink and Southern Beverage

  • Homemade Pink Lemonade
  • Sun Tea
  • Sweet Tea

==> More beverage recipes

Bread, Rolls, and Biscuits

  • Corn Bread
  • Homemade Biscuits
  • Fried Hush Puppies
  • Cinnamon Bread Rolls

==> More rolls and biscuits

Soups and Chili

  • Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
  • Vegetable Soup
  • Cabbage and Chicken Soup
  • Tomato Soup
  • Oxtail Soup

==> More savory homemade soups

Sides

  • Soul Food Macaroni and Cheese
  • Candied Yams
  • Southern Style Potato Salad
  • Herbed Cole Slaw

==> More side dishes

Desserts

  • Soul Food Sweet Potato Pie
  • Soul Food Peach Cobbler
  • Red Velvet Cake
  • Banana Pudding

==> More Soul Food Desserts

Meats

  • Fried Catfish
  • Honey Baked Ham
  • Southern Fried Pork Chops
  • Oven Baked Ribs
  • Chitterlings and Hog Maws
  • Salmon Croquette Patties
  • Liver and Onions
  • Neck Bones and Rice
  • Southern Fried Chicken

==> More meats

Vegetables

  • Collard Greens
  • StuffedBell Peppers
  • Boiled Cabbage
  • Buttered Mashed Potatoes
  • Creamed Corn

==> More vegetable recipes

Beans

  • Blackeyed Peas
  • Lima Beans
  • Pinto Beans
  • Red Beans and Rice

==> More Beans and Legumes

Traditional Soul Food Cooking Methods

There are several traditional techniques that make up soul food cooking methods, including:

  1. Slow-cooking: Many soul food dishes are cooked low and slow to allow the flavors to meld together and create a rich, savory taste.
  2. Frying: Deep-frying is a popular technique for preparing chicken, fish, and other meats in soul food cuisine. The crispy exterior contrasts with the juicy meat inside.
  3. Braising: This involves searing meat on high heat then simmering it in liquid for an extended period of time to produce tender and flavorful results.
  4. Seasoning: Soul food relies heavily on seasoning blends like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, and other spices to add depth of flavor.
  5. Using animal fats: Lard or bacon grease is often used in cooking instead of vegetable oil or butter as it adds richness to the dish.

These techniques have been passed down through generations and continue to be an integral part of soul food cooking today.

Well that should be enoughsoul food recipes to keep you busy in the kitchen for a little while. Be sure visit us again because we add new southern cooking recipes all the time.

This soul food recipes page is a celebration of the rich history and culture of African American cuisine. By sharing these favorite recipes, I am preserving important traditions and helping to keep them alive for future generations to enjoy.

Not only is soul food delicious, but it also has a deep connection to the African American experience in the United States. By exploring the unique flavors and techniques that make up this style of cooking, visitors to this page can gain a greater appreciation for the resilience and creativity of enslaved people who created these dishes out of necessity.

This page serves as an important resource for anyone looking to learn more about African American soul food or wanting to try their hand at making some classic dishes themselves. Whether it's fried chicken, collard greens or macaroni and cheese, our recipes offer something for everyone to savor and enjoy.

African American Soul Food Recipes - Soul Food and Southern Cooking (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between soul food and Southern cooking? ›

And yet, the term “soul food” came to represent the food of black Southerners, and “Southern” or “country” the food of white Southerners — even when the dishes were exactly the same.

What is a traditional black southern meal? ›

Soul food often uses ingredients like collard greens, okra, cornmeal, and meats like pork and chicken. Soul food recipes include fried chicken, cornbread, collard greens, black-eyed peas, and sweet potato pie.

What are five examples of foods dishes popular in African American cuisine that are of African origin? ›

Jambalaya (mixed rice, meat and vegetables), feijoada (black beans and meat), gombo(okra), and hopping johns (peas) are all dishes that have been re-adapted from Senegal, Nigeria, Guinea and Benin. You will find variations of these dishes in America and the Caribbean region.

Is Southern food white or black? ›

Southern food encompasses the cultural identity of three races: African, Native American, and White. Throughout the years from the beginning of the Americas to present day, Southern food has taken the influences from these races and evolved around them.

What sets soul food apart from Southern food? ›

Soul food uses cooking techniques and ingredients from West African, Central African, Western European, and Indigenous cuisine of the Americas. Soul food came from the blending of what African Americans ate in their native countries in Africa and what was available to them as slaves.

What food did African slaves eat? ›

Maize, rice, peanuts, yams and dried beans were found as important staples of slaves on some plantations in West Africa before and after European contact.

What items would be on a typical black Southern menu? ›

Chicken and pig also appear in many dishes. Their popularity is most likely due to the fact that these animals could easily be raised on small farms without requiring special feed. Other soul food essentials include catfish, and vegetables with African origins like okra, sweet potatoes, greens, cabbage, and beans.

What is the most famous black food? ›

Jambalaya is a Creole/Cajun rice dish traditionally filled with chicken, andouille sausage, shrimp, okra, celery onion, bell pepper, tomatoes, and garlic, all cooked in one pot in spices and oil to taste. This dish pulls from French, Spanish, Indigenous, and West African traditions in cooking.

What drink goes with soul food? ›

The best wines to pair with heavy spiced southern dishes are full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. These types of wine have been known to stand up to bold flavors from coffee, chocolate, peppers, and herbs.

What's a good Sunday soul food meal? ›

28 Authentic Soul Food Recipes From The Queen of Soul Food...
  • Mac and Cheese. Mac and Cheese is my ultimate favorite. ...
  • Collard Greens. Collard Greens are a staple of Soul Food Cuisine. ...
  • Fried Chicken. Who does love Fried Chicken? ...
  • Fried Cabbage. ...
  • Shrimp and Grits. ...
  • Fried Catfish. ...
  • Seafood Gumbo. ...
  • Candied Yams.
Aug 18, 2023

What is traditional soul food? ›

A typical soul food meal would feature: Sides: black-eyed peas, candied yams (dark-fleshed sweet potatoes), macaroni and cheese, and stewed greens (cabbage, collard greens, kale, mustard, or turnip); Entree: chicken (fried or smothered), fried fish, or pork (smothered chop or "chitlins," which are pig intestines);

What is the white dough in African food? ›

According to historian Miller, "the word Fufu literally means white in Twi." and is likely derived from the whitish colour of the cassava component in Ghanaian fufu. In Ghana, it is made out of pieces of boiled cassava and/or other tubers such as plantain or cocoyam.

What foods did slaves bring from Africa to America? ›

These crops included several basic starches central to the African diet, for instance rice, okra, tania, black-eyed peas, cassava, yams, and kidney and lima beans. Other crops brought from Africa included peanuts (originally from South America), millet, sorghum, guinea melon, liquorice, watermelon, and sesame (benne).

What is a common African meal? ›

A typical West African meal is made with starchy items and can contain meat, fish as well as various spices and herbs. A wide array of staples are eaten across the region, including fufu, banku, kenkey (originating from Ghana), foutou, couscous, tĂ´, and garri, which are served alongside soups and stews.

What is considered Southern cooking? ›

A traditional Southern meal may include pan-fried chicken, field peas (such as black-eyed peas), greens (such as collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, or poke sallet), mashed potatoes, cornbread or corn pone, sweet tea, and dessert—typically a pie (sweet potato, chess, shoofly, pecan, and peach are the most ...

What defines Southern cooking? ›

Southern cuisine is a rich and diverse culinary tradition that reflects the history and culture of the American South. It is a fusion of African, Native American, European, and Caribbean flavors and techniques, with a focus on comfort foods, such as soul food, cajun, and BBQ dishes.

What is considered Southern food? ›

It is often full of classic comfort dishes like fried chicken, collard greens, black-eyed peas, baked macaroni and cheese, candied yams, cornbread, sweet iced tea, and some type of cake or pie, like a 7-up pound cake or pecan pie to round off the meal!

What is Southern cooking called? ›

A traditional meal, often called “soul food” or “comfort food,” might consist of pan-fried chicken, greens, mashed potatoes, cornbread, sweet tea, and a dessert. CONTENT SUMMARY AND. TEACHING STRATEGIES. Objective 1: Summarize southern regional cuisine and its influences.

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