10+ Soul Food Recipes to Savor and Share

Soul food is a culinary tradition that celebrates rich flavors and comforting dishes. It reflects the history and culture of African American communities, offering recipes that have been passed down through generations.

These recipes often feature ingredients like collard greens, black-eyed peas, and cornbread. Each brings unique tastes and stories.

As you dive into this delicious world, you’ll find dishes that satisfy your appetite and connect you to a broader community.

1) Mac and Cheese with Creamy Cheese Sauce

Mac and cheese is a classic soul food dish loved for its rich and creamy cheese sauce. This comfort food is perfect for family gatherings or cozy nights at home.

Use a mix of cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, and cream cheese for great flavor. These ingredients create a smooth, velvety sauce that coats each macaroni piece.

Add spices like garlic powder or a hint of cayenne pepper to enhance the taste. These spices give it a bit of a kick.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 2 cups milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions; drain.
3. In a large bowl, mix cheeses, milk, eggs, and spices.
4. Combine the macaroni with the cheese mixture.
5. Pour everything into a baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.

2) Southern Fried Chicken with Crispy Coating

Southern fried chicken is known for its crunchy coating and juicy interior. The secret to the perfect crispy skin lies in the seasoning and frying technique.

Start by marinating the chicken in buttermilk to tenderize the meat and add flavor. Coat each piece in seasoned flour for the signature crunch.

Fry the chicken in hot oil at about 350°F (175°C). Cook it until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Ingredients

• 4 pieces of chicken (legs or breasts)
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate chicken in buttermilk for at least 2 hours.
2. Mix flour, salt, pepper, and paprika in a bowl.
3. Remove chicken from buttermilk and coat with flour mixture.
4. Heat oil in a large skillet to 350°F (175°C).
5. Fry chicken for about 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally.
6. Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
7. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.

3) Collard Greens Slow-Cooked with Smoked Ham

Collard greens slow-cooked with smoked ham make a delicious and hearty dish. The smoky flavor from the ham adds depth, making these greens rich in taste.

Start with fresh collard greens, cleaning and chopping them into bite-sized pieces. Use a ham hock to add flavor while cooking.

A good chicken broth enhances the taste and keeps everything tender. Cooking the greens on low heat for several hours helps them absorb all the flavors.

Seasoning with garlic and onion makes your kitchen smell amazing.

Ingredients

• 1 large bunch of collard greens
• 1 smoked ham hock
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Clean and chop the collard greens.
2. In a slow cooker, add collard greens, ham hock, chicken broth, onion, and garlic.
3. Cook on low for 8-9 hours (180°F / 82°C).
4. Stir occasionally and enjoy once tender.

4) Shrimp and Grits with Garlic Butter

Shrimp and grits with garlic butter bring comfort and flavor to your table. Creamy grits provide a perfect base for the tender shrimp.

Cook the grits in chicken broth for extra flavor. Add cream and cheese to make them creamy and delicious.

While grits cook, season shrimp with garlic, salt, and pepper. Sauté the shrimp in garlic butter until they are pink and cooked through.

Serve the shrimp over the grits and drizzle any remaining garlic butter on top.

Ingredients

• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 tablespoons garlic butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil chicken broth in a pot.
2. Slowly add grits and stir. Cook for about 20 minutes.
3. Stir in heavy cream and cheddar cheese.
4. In another pan, melt garlic butter.
5. Add shrimp and season. Cook until pink.
6. Serve shrimp over grits and drizzle with remaining garlic butter.

5) Fried Catfish with Cornmeal Batter

Fried catfish with cornmeal batter is a classic dish. The crunchy coating enhances the flaky texture of the fish.

The cornmeal gives the catfish its signature crispy crust. Season it well for extra flavor.

Heat your oil to 350°F (175°C) for the best results. Fry the fish until it’s golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side.

Serve your fried catfish hot, paired with sides like coleslaw or cornbread.

Ingredients

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• ⅓ cup flour
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 teaspoons seasoning salt
• Catfish fillets
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix cornmeal, flour, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and seasoning salt in a bowl.
2. Dredge catfish fillets in the mixture until fully coated.
3. Heat oil in a skillet to 350°F (175°C).
4. Fry catfish for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
5. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

6) Sweet Potato Pie with Cinnamon and Nutmeg

Sweet potato pie is a Southern dessert that combines the flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg. These spices bring warmth and depth to the dish.

Start with boiled sweet potatoes and mash them until smooth. Mix in the spices along with sugar and eggs for the perfect filling.

When the pie is done, let it cool before serving. Enjoy a slice with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

• 2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 unbaked pie crust

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Boil sweet potatoes until tender and mash them.
3. In a bowl, mix mashed sweet potatoes with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, eggs, and milk.
4. Pour the mixture into the unbaked pie crust.
5. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until set.
6. Let cool and serve.

7) Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Southern baked macaroni and cheese is a comforting dish you can enjoy as a side or a main course. It’s creamy, cheesy, and baked to perfection.

You will need pasta, cheese, and a few other ingredients to create that rich flavor. The combination of different cheeses adds depth to the taste.

Customize your macaroni with spices or add proteins like chicken or bacon. Bake until it’s bubbly and golden on top.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups macaroni pasta
• 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, and smoked cheddar)
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions and drain.
3. In a bowl, mix the eggs, milk, cheese, salt, and pepper.
4. Combine the cooked macaroni with the cheese mixture.
5. Pour into a greased baking dish and bake for 30 minutes until golden.

8) Smothered Pork Chops with Onion Gravy

Smothered pork chops are a true soul food classic. These chops are pan-fried to perfection and then cooked in a rich onion gravy.

To start, season your pork chops with salt and pepper. In a skillet, brown the chops until they’re golden brown.

Make the onion gravy by cooking sliced onions until soft and adding broth for richness. Serve these tender chops over a bed of rice or with creamy mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

• 4 pork chops
• Salt and pepper
• 2 onions, sliced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon flour

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper.
2. In a skillet, heat butter and brown the pork chops on both sides.
3. Remove the chops and add onions to the skillet. Cook until softened.
4. Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir well.
5. Gradually add chicken broth, stirring until smooth.
6. Return the pork chops and simmer for 20 minutes.
7. Serve hot with gravy over rice or mashed potatoes.

9) Fried Okra with Seasoned Crispy Coating

Fried okra is a classic soul food dish that’s tasty and easy to make. This version has a seasoned crispy coating for extra flavor and crunch.

First, slice fresh okra into bite-sized pieces. Mix flour and cornmeal with spices to prepare the breading.

Heat oil in a frying pan to 350°F (175°C). Coat the okra pieces in the breading, then add them to the hot oil.

Fry the okra until golden brown, about 2 to 4 minutes. Serve the fried okra warm.

It works well as a side dish or a snack.

Ingredients

• 1 to 1 1/2 pounds fresh okra
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the okra into bite-sized pieces.
2. In a bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat oil in a frying pan to 350°F (175°C).
4. Coat okra pieces in the breading mixture.
5. Fry okra for 2 to 4 minutes until golden brown.
6. Remove and drain on paper towels. Serve warm.

10) Southern-Style Black-Eyed Peas

Southern-style black-eyed peas are a delicious and hearty dish. People often serve them on New Year’s Day for good luck.

This recipe is simple and full of flavor. Use dried black-eyed peas, which are easy to find at most grocery stores.

Add smoked ham or sausage for a richer taste. Season with onions, garlic, and spices.

Soak the peas overnight to make cooking easier. Simmer them until tender with your choice of meat.

This dish goes well with cornbread or rice.

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried black-eyed peas
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound smoked ham or sausage
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak black-eyed peas in water overnight.

2. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.

3. Sauté onions and garlic until they become soft.

4. Add peas and meat to the pot.

5. Pour in enough water to cover the ingredients.

6. Bring everything to a boil.

7. Lower the heat and cover the pot.

8. Simmer for 45 to 60 minutes until the peas are tender.

9. Add salt and pepper before serving.