These soul food recipes are about so much more than comfort—they're the very soul of the Black community. Here's the list, complete with tips from Black chefs and creators.
25 Soul Food Recipes That Shaped Southern Cooking
Updated on Apr. 08, 2025
1/25
Southern Mac and Cheese
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
No down-home meal is complete without southern mac and cheese. Three types of cheese and a squirt of mustard make this comforting dish sing! —Katie Sloan, Charlotte, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 830 calories, 45g fat (30g saturated fat), 213mg cholesterol, 1368mg sodium, 67g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 3g fiber), 39g protein.
One of the most well-known soul food recipes, the original baked mac and cheese was created by James Hemings, an African American enslaved at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello plantation. Serve this mac with other southern comfort foods, like fried chicken or pulled pork sandwiches.
2/25
Collard Greens with Bacon
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Collard greens are a staple vegetable of southern cuisine. This side dish is often made with smoked or salt-cured meats, such as ham hocks, pork or fatback. —Marsha Ankeney, Niceville, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 157 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 651mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 7g protein.
Chef Darnell Reed from Luella’s Southern Kitchen in Chicago’s Logan Square points out the link between foods of Africa and the recipes we enjoy today: “It is said that collard green recipes in the U.S. came from slaves working the fields and this was one traditional meal, but I know it dates back before then. One of our Ethiopian team members showed me the similarities between my collard green recipe and Ethiopian gomen, which had almost identical ingredients. Then when you research the word gomen, you realize it’s Greek and they’ve harvested collard greens for thousands of years!”
3/25
Sweet Potato Pie
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This creamy sweet potato pie is subtly spiced and slices beautifully! We suggest baking up a few sweet potato pies around the holidays to give to friends and family. —North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 372 calories, 18g fat (9g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 300mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
This is one of the best-loved desserts in the family of soul food recipes. Maya-Camille Broussard, owner of Justice of the Pies, bakes a well-known sweet potato and plantain pie. But you don’t have to go to soul food restaurants to enjoy it. To make a similar dessert, Broussard says, “Bake the potatoes, which allows them to caramelize and makes things even sweeter. You can add in any type of plantain, but use a very ripe one and fry it for three to four minutes until golden brown.”
4/25
Fried Catfish
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My son told me he once had fried catfish with Cajun aioli, so I set out to re-create it for him. It was a huge hit with him and my husband. The aioli is also great as a dip for sweet potato fries. —Pattie Prescott, Manchester, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1 fillet with 3 tablespoons aioli: 754 calories, 56g fat (8g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 916mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 30g protein.
Fried catfish was frequently requested by customers at Gladys Luncheonette, an eatery that hosted neighborhood folks as well as famous people during its 50+ years in business. If you don’t live in the South, it’s easy enough to make the iconic fried catfish at home with a coating made from Cajun seasoning, all-purpose flour and white cornmeal.
5/25
Black-Eyed Peas
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I find that pork is the secret to a good black-eyed peas recipe. A double dose of ham for flavor and slow, gentle cooking creates this perfect side dish. —Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 359 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 788mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 14g fiber), 20g protein.
Black-eyed peas are a global legume, eaten in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America. You can find black-eyed peas all year, but they take on star status for New Year’s Day menus. Folklore attributes good luck throughout the year to those who eat black-eyed peas or hoppin’ John on the first day of the new year.
6/25
Candied Yams
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
55 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My town is known as the yam capital of the United States. This is a simple recipe that goes well with baked ham or roasted turkey. —Essie Nealey, Tabor City, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 248 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 59mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 4g fiber), 2g protein.
My (Charla Draper’s) grandmother was the primary holiday cook when I was growing up, but she and her next-door neighbor partnered on some foods. My grandmother would make her a pound cake and the neighbor would make us candied sweet potatoes (aka candied yams). Richly flavored with butter and the perfect balance of granulated sugar, brown sugar and spices, oh, my gosh, they were so good!
7/25
Spice Rubbed Ribs
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For grilling, here's the rub I recommend. It's made with a wonderful blend of spices. If you have some left after making ribs, put it in a shaker and use it another day on pork or beef roasts, tenderloins, steaks and more. It's great alone or under sauce. —Cheryl Ewing, Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 pound: 792 calories, 62g fat (23g saturated fat), 245mg cholesterol, 1864mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 51g protein.
Most folks know someone they will swear makes the best baby back ribs. That may be true, but pitmaster Rodney Scott is one that everyone can take a lesson from. Scott cooked his first hog at the age of 11, working at his family’s business in Hemingway, South Carolina. He is now the owner of Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ. In his book, Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ, Scott shares his recipes, advice and cooking tips to help the amateur pitmaster.
Here’s one essential tip for cooking spareribs: Remove the membrane that runs along the back of the rib so that all the spice rub can get into the meat.
8/25
Fried Green Tomatoes
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My grandmother came up with her own version of easy fried green tomatoes years ago. Our family loves it. It's a traditional taste of the South that anyone anywhere can enjoy! —Melanie Chism, Coker, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
2 pieces: 166 calories, 11g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 317mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
Nicole A. Taylor, author of Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations, planned to distance herself from the soul foods she grew up eating. However, after her husband’s job transferred them to New York, Taylor missed that home cooking. “When I moved to New York City, all of this food just came back to me. … I started making black-eyed peas and putting ham hocks in it,” she says. “Everything I grew up with, the memories, the taste, the cravings, all just came back.”
9/25
Smothered Chicken
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As with many classic dishes, recipes for smothered chicken vary from person to person. Here is our take on the comforting entree. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 353 calories, 26g fat (9g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 1108mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein.
This is one versatile, comforting soul food dish! You can make smothered chicken with fried chicken or lightly sauteed chicken, bone-in or boneless, dark meat or white meat—plus the seasonings of your choice. Aaron Hutcherson, aka The Hungry Hutch, thinks of the dish as more technique than exact recipe.
10/25
Peach Cobbler
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother received this peach cobbler recipe from a friend of hers many years ago, and fortunately she shared it with me. Boise is situated right between two large fruit-producing areas in our state, so peaches are plentiful in the summer. —Ruby Ewart, Boise, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 224 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 46mg cholesterol, 83mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
Now, I (Charla Draper) am a peach enthusiast and the best peach cobbler is made with fresh juicy peaches—you know, the kind of peaches that have juice oozing all over your fingers while you’re slicing them up! Every family has a version of peach cobbler, and this recipe is heavenly.
11/25
Fried Okra
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Golden brown with a little fresh green showing through, these okra nuggets are crunchy and addictive! My sons like to dip them in ketchup. —Pam Duncan, Summers, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 200 calories, 12g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 430mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein.
Okra has a reputation—some can’t get enough of it and others give it a thumbs down. It can be grilled, pickled, fried or simmered in soups and stews. JJ Johnson—James Beard Award-winning chef, author of Between Harlem and Heaven: Afro-Asian-American Cooking for Big Nights, Weeknights, and Every Day, and owner of Fieldtrip in New York—confesses that he used to hate okra: “As I kid, I thought it was slimy and terrible. My first taste of okra fries didn’t do much to dispel my childhood aversion. But I kept thinking, how can I make okra fries good? You never get crispy okra fries.”
We resolve that issue in this recipe by slicing the okra into small pieces and battering it in cornmeal and all-purpose flour. After a few minutes in a deep fryer, it’s nice and crisp.
12/25
Buttermilk Biscuits
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 biscuits
From the Recipe Creator:
The recipe for these four-ingredient homemade buttermilk biscuits has been handed down for many generations. —Fran Thompson, Tarboro, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 biscuit: 222 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 508mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
Cheryl Day—self-taught baker, author of Cheryl Day’s Treasury of Southern Baking and former owner of Back in the Day Bakery in Savannah, Georgia—needs no cheat sheet when baking biscuits. “Anyone can become a biscuit master if they are willing to put in the practice,” she says. “Your hands and eyes are your best tools as you mix the dough.” Day advises that you don’t twist the biscuit cutter as you cut out the biscuits.
13/25
Honey Cornbread
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Serving this moist cornbread to family and guests is a pleasure. Honey gives the bread a slightly sweet taste, and most people find it difficult to eat just one piece. —Adeline Piscitelli, Sayreville, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 318 calories, 17g fat (7g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 290mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
I (Charla Draper) stirred a few pots in my career as a former food editor for Ebony and Southern Living magazines, especially when making my grandmother’s recipe for cornbread many times through the years. Her recipe includes a package mix with a sweeter flavor than some you’ll find, but it’s definitely a keeper. This version includes honey to mimic that sweetness. Serve cornbread with greens, beans, soups and stew.
14/25
Hibiscus Iced Tea
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
10 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
This calorie- and caffeine-free tea has a delightful rosy color. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
This drink is made with dried hibiscus flowers, and it’s a must-have for soul food dinners. Adrian Miller, the soul food scholar and award-winning author of Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time, says, “I like this drink because of the way the tartness of the hibiscus and lime, the spiciness of the ginger, and the sweetener all play off each other.”
15/25
Shrimp and Grits
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A southern specialty sometimes called breakfast shrimp, this shrimp and grits recipe tastes fantastic for brunch or dinner, or any time company’s coming. It’s down-home comfort food at its finest. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup grits with 1/2 cup shrimp mixture: 699 calories, 44g fat (22g saturated fat), 240mg cholesterol, 1835mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 41g protein.
Now a staple of New Orleans cooking, shrimp and grits is a creamy, hearty dish that originated in Africa. The meal of ground maize and shellfish is perfect for a simple brunch, whether or not the other dishes are soul food.
16/25
Banana Pudding
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
35 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I didn’t see my son, Lance Corporal Eric Harris, for more than two years after he enlisted in the Marines after high school. And when I saw him arrive at the airport, I just grabbed hold of him and burst out crying. When we got home, the first thing he ate was two bowls of my easy banana pudding recipe. He’s a true southern boy! It’s a dessert, but you can have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Stephanie Harris, Montpelier, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 302 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 206mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
Growing up, I (Charla Draper) was not a banana pudding girl. The recipe at Virtue Restauant in Chicago’s Hyde Park converted me! Chef Becky Pendola says, “Everyone has memories connected to this classic southern dessert. For me, the most memorable component happens to be the addition of Nilla Wafers and thinking about sitting on the porch with my mom as a kid, eating as many as she would allow me to have.”
Yes, banana pudding is delicious—but what makes it special is the nostalgia attached to every bite.
17/25
Fried Chicken
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you've wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep-fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked chicken: 543 calories, 33g fat (7g saturated fat), 137mg cholesterol, 798mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 41g protein.
Crispy fried chicken is synonymous with soul food and celebrations. African Americans began selling fried chicken en masse during the Reconstruction era and even used their earnings to bolster civil rights efforts in the 20th century.
18/25
Shrimp Gumbo
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
11 servings (2-3/4 qt.)
From the Recipe Creator:
A crisp green salad and crusty French bread complete this shrimp gumbo meal. I always have hot sauce available when I serve this and have found that the instant microwave rice packages make the process a little easier. —Jo Ann Graham, Ovilla, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 159 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 681mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
A good gumbo is essential to Creole cuisine, a group of foods influenced by West African, European and Native American preparation methods. This classic dish is spicy, savory and the perfect complement to other soul food dishes.
19/25
Country Turnip Greens
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’ve never tried making turnip greens, this recipe is an easy, tasty way to start. Pork and onions give the fresh greens wonderful flavor. —Sandra Pichon, Memphis, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 317 calories, 28g fat (10g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 622mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein.
This recipe turns hardy winter greens into a boldly flavored side dish. Salt pork, sugar and onions give this dish its trademark down-home taste.
20/25
Oxtail Soup
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
10 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
This wonderfully rich slow-cooker oxtail soup will warm your soul and your taste buds. Oxtail stew is a favorite family heirloom recipe. Don’t let the name of this dish turn you off. Oxtail describes the meaty part of the tail of an ox (now commonly cow). The meat is delicious but requires long and slow cooking. —Bobbie Keefer, Byers, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 204 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 705mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 5g fiber), 16g protein.
Oxtail is a staple ingredient across the African diaspora. This soup celebrates it in the most delicious way. Bay leaf, broth and dried thyme create a deep, satisfying flavor that gets better with every spoonful.
21/25
Okra and Tomatoes
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe dates back generations in my family. I enjoy it because I can use the fresh vegetables that are so abundant here in the South. But I know you'll love this dish no matter where you live! —Bobbie Jo Yokley, Franklin, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 83 calories, 5g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 333mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 vegetable, 1 fat.
Okra arrived in the colonies via the transatlantic slave trade and remains highly valued for its versatility and health benefits. Enjoy a simple dish of stewed okra and tomatoes for a veggie-forward experience that never gets old.
22/25
Tea Cakes
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
5 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I’ve baked many batches of cookies through the years, but family and friends tell me these southern treats are the best. The simple buttery flavor appeals to all. —Doris McGough, Dothan, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
1 tea cake: 74 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 54mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
Soft, sweet tea cakes are often enjoyed on Juneteenth but make a worthy treat any time of the year. They bake in only 10 minutes, making them a quick option for a buttery confection.
23/25
Southern Deviled Eggs
Skill Level
Easy
Total Time
20 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
There is nothing more simple, or delicious, than these southern deviled eggs. I make them for every barbecue, tailgate or picnic, and they're always a hit. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed egg half: 57 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 114mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
No soul food setting is complete without deviled eggs. Although there are many variations of deviled eggs, this one-bite wonder features a creamy filling studded with sweet pickle relish.
24/25
Succotash
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
2 hours 45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You can't get more southern than this succotash recipe. It comes from my mother, who was a fantastic cook. This dish made her famous—at least with everyone who ever tasted it. —Rosa Boone, Mobile, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 79 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 442mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch.
Ham hock, okra, corn and beans come together for an unforgettably good dish that can be served as a side or a meal. This recipe is infinitely variable, so feel free to swap in bacon for ham hock or use different seasonal vegetables.
25/25
Dirty Rice
Skill Level
Medium
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is an old Louisiana recipe that I've had longer than I can remember. It's a very popular southern dish. To turn this into a main meal, simply add more sausage and chicken livers. —Lum Day, Bastrop, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 148 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 325mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 6g protein.
Enjoy this authentically Louisianan meal that features pork sausage, a vegetable medley and fork-tender rice. Don’t skimp on the finely chopped chicken livers, which give the rice a speckled “dirty” appearance and a bold, savory flavor.
Soul Food Recipes FAQ
What are soul food recipes?
Soul food recipes represent the cuisine linked to enslaved peoples of African descent and African Americans today. Some notable dishes include mac and cheese, collard greens, and recipes made with “discard” proteins like chitlins and pigs feet (a regional food favorite in the South).
What is the difference between soul food and southern food?
Southern food and soul foods are closely linked, but soul foods are distinctly Black historically and culturally. There is a lot of overlap, and many iconic southern comfort foods are also considered soul foods due to regional tastes and seasonal ingredients.
What ingredients are used in traditional soul food recipes?
Ingredients often used in soul food include winter greens like collard and turnip greens, along with vegetables like okra, corn and beans (especially black-eyed peas). Fish and “discard” pork products like pigs feet, intestines and ribs are also traditional soul food ingredients.
