44 Best Soul Food Recipes For Black History Month Food And Facts

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February is recognized as Black History Month, a time dedicated to honoring and exploring the rich heritage of African Americans. Soul food, a term deeply connected to Black culinary traditions, traces its roots back to slavery in the United States. This culinary tradition emerged as a symbol of resilience and creativity, as enslaved African Americans crafted hearty meals using the limited ingredients available to them.

Black History Month Food Facts And Best-Soul Food Recipes

What do you eat in Black History Month?

By exploring soul food recipes, we pay tribute to African American culture and enhance our understanding of its profound influence on America’s favorite foods and recipes. Cooking and sharing these dishes is a powerful way to connect with this vibrant cultural legacy.

What better way to engage than by immersing ourselves in soul food recipes? You can enjoy notable recipes like collard greens, candied yamscornbreadbaked macaroni and cheesesweet potato pie, and banana pudding— to name a few soul food menu favorites!

These meals are not just sustenance but rather stories told on a plate. From gumbo’s hearty warmth to peach cobbler’s sweet comfort, these dishes convey resilience, community, and love. I encourage you to celebrate Black History Month by preparing these culinary treasures. It’s a delicious journey that connects us to a rich cultural heritage and brings the essence of African American cuisine to life.

Black History Month Soul Food Recipes

Black people food

Black folks’ food represents a rich legacy of how African Americans create soul food. Many have asked me, “Why do you call it Black folks’ food?” The answer is simple: these are recipes from the Black community, and I am proud to share them! I am intentional about giving credit to the talented chefs, cooks, and creators in our community. We should no longer apologize for or hide our Blackness and its beauty.

Shaunda Necole & The Soul Food Pot - Black Is Beautiful

My mission is to stand on the right side of history and honor our ancestors as one of the gatekeepers preserving the legacies of African American culture. With my hand on the sacred urn of tradition, I vow to protect and preserve Black culture and generations of treasured soul food recipes. 

And here’s the fun part: Every time you make and share soul food recipes, you stand with the ancestors too!

Why Is It Called Soul Food?

Why is it called soul food?

In the 1960s, the term “soul” was often used to describe African Americans’ creative ingenuity, style, and culture. This is similar to how young people today refer to Black culture as “swag.” Thankfully, the word “soul” came first, or else we might be eating “swag food” today!

Black Folks Soul Food Recipes Represent Black Culture

Black History Month recipes

These recipes are some of the finest examples of soul food from the Black culinary tradition, perfect for celebrating Black History Month. Plan your next meal using these exceptional recipes that honor the legacy of Black cuisine with this soul food menu and recipe guide for Black History Month.

What Do You Eat In Black History Month?

“The entire passion that I have about this is to use food as a tool to elevate the conversation about what it means to be African-American and to cook African American food… It’s a celebration. We’re celebrating our food!” —Toni Tipton-Martin, Netflix: High On The Hog

 

Soul food main dishes

Black Folks Soul Food-Southern Fried Chicken
Southern Fried Chicken
Fried chicken is a food thrown on the doorsteps of Black people as a way to identify us. But African Americans didn't invent chicken— we just perfected the seasoning!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Fried Chicken And Waffles Recipe
Fried Chicken And Waffles
This recipe combines crispy, juicy, and tender Southern fried chicken paired with fluffy, buttery waffles. It features a unique twist of sweet and spicy syrup that adds a gentle touch of heat. It's a beloved soul food cuisine favorite for Black History Month!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Soul Food Smothered Chicken
Smothered Chicken
This recipe is literally smothered in a legacy of flavorful Black history! Tender, juicy chicken seasoned with soul food spices and covered in a creamy, flavorful gravy medley. It's Southern comfort food at its finest!
Check out this recipe!
Southern Soul Food BBQ Chicken Recipe
Southern Baked BBQ Chicken
Southern BBQ is deeply rooted in African American cuisine and Black history in the South. With this easy Southern soul food BBQ chicken recipe, you can quickly bring that same delicious legacy into your kitchen.
Check out this recipe!
Soul Food BBQ Ribs Recipe Card
Soul Food BBQ Ribs 
BBQ ribs are a classic favorite deeply rooted in Black American culinary history. This recipe is an easy crowd-pleaser and serves as a beloved main dish for potlucks, tailgates, game days, and, of course, any traditional Black BBQ cookout menu.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Turkey Recipe
Turkey Recipe The Soul Food Way
This recipe is fantastic for your soul food holiday and Thanksgiving menus. Its crispy skin and moist, juicy, flavorful meat have become part of Black holiday history because it's a well-seasoned Southern turkey recipe!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Instant Pot Smoked Turkey Legs
Smoked Turkey Legs
This easy recipe for smoked turkey legs is an excellent alternative to a whole turkey. It maintains tender meat and smokey soulful flavors, making it a great addition to your legacy soul food Thanksgiving menu!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Soul Food Chicken Yock Recipe Yock A Mein
Chicken Yock Recipe (Yock-A-Mein)
This recipe is an iconic Southern Virginia Black history recipe. Soul food and Chinese food combine in a big warm bowl of flavorful broth, tender chicken, and noodles.
Check out this recipe!
Southern Soul Food Corned Beef And Cabbage
Corned Beef And Cabbage
Corned beef and cabbage is a historic recipe for crafting hearty meals with limited ingredients. This dish highlights how Black people's resourcefulness maximizes flavor in beloved Southern comfort food.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Pineapple Glazed Ham
Pineapple Glazed Ham
African Americans are well-known for their delicious glazed ham recipes, particularly with pineapple and brown sugar. It's a beautiful and mouthwatering masterpiece!
Check out this recipe!
Instant Pot Shrimp Boil
Low Country Shrimp Boil
Returning to the honored traditions of the Gullah Geechee, African Americans have been hosting gatherings with low-country shrimp boils for years. These events are often referred to as a Southern shrimp boil or Big Easy.
Check out this recipe!
What Is Black Folks Southern Shrimp And Grits?
Shrimp And Grits Recipe
From tradition to a legacy of soul food seasoning, Creole sauce is the secret ingredient to Black folks' shrimp and grits! The seasonings make the sauce unique, so each recipe is creatively different. 
Check out this recipe!
Easy Gumbo Recipe
Easy Gumbo Recipe
Nothing is more quintessentially Louisiana than gumbo, a classic Southern dish that is a Creole culinary staple in New Orleans.
Check out this recipe!
Southern Soul Food Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Southern comfort combines with home-style goodness in this incredible chicken pot pie recipe. This hearty meal is rooted in a Black history soul food legacy of using limited ingredients.
Check out this recipe!

Soul food appetizers

Black Folks Southern Homemade Cornbread
Southern Homemade Cornbread
For this iconic African American any-meal dish, cornmeal and a Southern cast-iron skillet are used to make this classic Black history scratch recipe.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Soul Food Southern Deviled Eggs Recipe
Southern Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a classic soul food delicacy, perfectly seasoned for a delectable and flavorful appetizer.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Pork Jowl In The Air Fryer
Pork Jowl Bacon In The Air Fryer
This contemporary recipe for pork jowl revitalizes a classic Black history dish, making it quicker and easier to prepare while still achieving perfection in the air fryer!
Check out this recipe!

Soul food sides

“We nourished a nation through our cooking and baked our traditions in the cuisines that would define America.” —Stephen Satterfield, Netflix: High On The Hog

Black Folks Southern Baked Mac And Cheese
Baked Macaroni And Cheese
This dish represents Southern comfort food at its finest, made the way Black people have traditionally prepared it. Baked mac and cheese is a cherished legacy in soul food, renowned as one of the most iconic dishes in Black culinary history.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Soul Food Collard Greens Recipe
Soul Food Collard Greens Recipe
A Black folks' collard greens recipe is a quintessential dish of any proper soul food dinner and a beloved recipe of the South. Black people stewed this leafy plant side dish to world-renowned culinary fame!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Candied Yams
Candied Yams Soul Food Recipe
Candied yams are an old-fashioned legacy African-American recipe. This sweet potato side dish, reminiscent of the West African yam, is perfectly cooked in a cinnamon and brown sugar glaze.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Potato Salad Recipe
Southern Potato Salad
A Southern potato salad recipe cherished by the Black community is a staple for any African American cookout, family reunion, picnic, or potluck. This dish features a creamy yet tangy dressing, perfectly balanced with traditional soul food seasonings and flavors. It is fondly referred to by its legacy name, "Black Cookout Potato Salad!"
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Cabbage Recipe
Southern Cabbage Recipe
This dish is warm and sweet, infused with the savory flavors of soul food. It features a dense and slightly bitter leaf, highlighting the resourcefulness found in Black history, and is enhanced by creative seasonings and spices!
Check out this recipe!
Soul Food Southern Black Eyed Peas
Southern Black Eyed Peas
Black-eyed peas are a national treasure in Black history! Intensely flavored in a thick sauce with smoky and spicy seasonings, they're considered a delicious good-luck food for prosperity in the New Year!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Hoppin John Recipe
Soul Food Hoppin John Recipe
Hoppin John is a traditional African American dish with a legendary story and roots in Black history. This comforting meal, typically enjoyed on New Year's, includes black-eyed peas, collard greens, rice, and Southern soul food flavors and seasonings.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Soul Food Red Beans And Rice
Red Beans And Rice
This classic meal, beloved in Black culture, will tantalize your taste buds as the aroma of savory seasonings fills the air. The red kidney beans absorb the rich flavors, making this dish whole-soul satisfying and irresistible!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Soul Food Baked Beans
Southern Baked Beans
This recipe offers a fresh twist on a classic summer Southern dish, incorporating soul food seasonings and flavors. Start by preparing a base with diced vegetables. Then, the soulful combination of sugar, sauces, and seasonings truly transforms this dish!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Soul Food Macaroni Salad
Soul Food Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is a vital part of Black culinary traditions as the respected cold variation of the legacy recipe for classic baked macaroni and cheese. The choice of ingredients pays homage to tradition. At the same time, a variety of diced vegetables, flavorful seasonings, and spices elevate the dish.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Soul Food Southern Coleslaw Recipe
Southern Coleslaw Recipe
This dish is primarily made with raw cabbage and bursting with flavor. It's a classic African American recipe that pairs perfectly with smoky BBQ meats.
Check out this recipe!
Southern Soul Food Tomato Watermelon Salad
Tomato Watermelon Salad
Watermelon is a constant food thrown on the doorsteps of African Americans to identify us. However, similar to the stereotype about Black people and fried chicken, we didn't invent watermelon. We can only take credit for how to add seasoning to it!
This recipe for a tomato and watermelon salad with feta cheese, pickled onions, pickled peppers, and zesty cilantro is a sophisticated Southern dish, perfect for any occasion!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Cornbread Dressing Recipe
Cornbread Dressing Recipe
Black people's cornbread dressing is a classic Sunday supper and holiday dinner delicacy made with carefully curated ingredients. The best part about this dish is that it's homemade with a soul food staple— cornbread!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Chicken And Dressing
Black Folks Chicken And Dressing
This recipe is a signature dish for Black History Month, featuring tender, flavorful chicken and traditional soul food cornbread dressing.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Creamed Corn Pudding Casserole
Creamed Corn Pudding
This dish is a savory pudding that originates from the soul food traditions of resilience and creativity. It's made simply with key ingredients: cornbread, creamed corn, onion, garlic, and sour cream, which combine to create a rich and flavorful taste that embodies the essence of Black folks cooking.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Baked Apple Slices
Baked Apple Slices
Baked apples are a side dish akin to apple pie but without the crust. Apple pie holds special significance for African Americans, highlighting one aspect of our dual heritage.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Mashed potatoes are a staple in Southern side dish history. Inspired by Black cooking, this creamy mashed potatoes recipe is the best because it's bursting with savory seasonings for the ultimate flavor.
Check out this recipe!

Soul food desserts

Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe™
Sweet potato pie is a delicious soul food dessert and a cherished component of Black history! Regarding the debate of pumpkin versus sweet potato pie, Black people consistently favor sweet potato. The unspoken rule is always sweet potato. Never up for debate.
Check out this recipe!
Soul Food Apple Pie Recipe
Soul Food Southern Apple Pie
Apple pie is special for African Americans, reflecting one aspect of our dual heritage. This soul food apple pie recipe features fresh apples sweetened with brown sugar and flavored with cinnamon and nutmeg. The apples are roasted before baked in the pie, evoking memories of some of the best Southern dinners in history!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Pecan Pie Recipe
Southern Pecan Pie Recipe
Pecan pie is a soulful part of Black history and a recipe as Southern as a pecan tree! It's a nutty dish with an abundant, sweet, caramelized flavor in each bite!
Check out this recipe!
Soul Food Almond Flour Pie Crust
Soul Food Almond Flour Pie Crust
Almond flour has a significant history and legacy within Black history and culinary traditions, particularly in soul food. Black cooks in the South often used almond flour for baking because they did not have access to traditional wheat flour. They adapted to the limited ingredients available to them, resulting in baked goods that were moister, richer, and softer when made with almond flour.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
Filled with fresh, juicy peaches and a light, airy cinnamon sugar crust, this classic Southern dessert is a beloved favorite in Black history and the South.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Bread Pudding
Southern Bread Pudding
This is an old-fashioned African American bread pudding recipe made with simple ingredients like bread, eggs, and water.
Check out this recipe!
Black Southern Banana Pudding
Southern Banana Pudding
This recipe offers a Black history and cultural twist on the traditional English trifle. Southern banana pudding, prepared in the authentic Black way, will forever change your perspective on other banana pudding recipes!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Tea Cake Recipe
Southern Tea Cake Recipe
Tea cakes are a traditional Southern African American treat that dates back to the 1600s. They resemble the taste of sweet cookie biscuits.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Soul Food Carrot Cake Recipe
Soul Food Carrot Cake
Many African-American families enjoy carrot cake as a sweet, flavorful dessert and a holiday tradition. Black people tend to make a more spiced carrot cake topped with classic homemade cream cheese frosting.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Red Velvet Cake Recipe
Southern Red Velvet Cake
Red velvet cake is celebrated in Black history as the "soul food of the South!" A traditional Southern red velvet cake made by Black communities features a decadent red sponge cake topped with homemade cream cheese frosting.
Check out this recipe!

Where to learn about the Black History of your favorite recipes

The history of Black culinary traditions is rich, vibrant, and deeply intertwined with culture—a legacy of soul food that extends far beyond slavery and the Emancipation Proclamation in the 1860s.

While soul food is often categorized under Southern cuisine, it’s essential to recognize that not all Southern food is soul food. Soul food specifically refers to dishes prepared in the African-American tradition.

To explore more about Black History Month, food, and recipes, tune into my podcast, The Soul Food Pod, the first podcast dedicated to Southern soul food.
“I am using my platform to draw attention to Black excellence.” — Toni Tipton-Martin

🎙 Listen to The Soul Food Pod episode: Black History Month Food

The Soul Food Pod Episode 13: Black History Month Food
The Soul Food Pod Episode 13: Black History Month Food
Episode recap: What do you eat in Black History Month? Enjoy recipes that are part of the authentic soul food family passed along through generations.
Check out this recipe!
Soul Food & Black Culture For Black History Month
NMAAHC Contemplative Court

Which of these recipes will you cook first for Black History Month?

Black Folks Southern Baked Mac And Cheese

Black History Month Food | Soul Food Baked Mac And Cheese

Why is Southern baked mac and cheese so important to Black History Month?
Baked mac and cheese is one of the many soul food recipes that have become staples in American cuisine. This delicious dish boasts a rich and flavorful history. It represents the essence of Southern comfort food, reflecting the culinary traditions of the Black community.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 38 minutes
Bake Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 18 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Soul Food
Servings: 6
Calories: 522kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Whisk
  • 8-inch cast iron skillet or baking dish

Ingredients

  • 3 cups water
  • 4 ¼ cups milk divided – 1 ¼ cups and 3 cups
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided – 1 tablespoon and 3 tablespoons
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup Colby-jack cheese shredded
  • 8 oz. macaroni noodles uncooked
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ tablespoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon mustard dried
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

Instructions

  • Fill a large pot with 3 cups of milk, 3 cups of water, and 1 tablespoon of butter, and set the pot on the stove to boil over medium-high heat.

Pro tip: For baked mac and cheese the Black way, use milk to coat the macaroni and give it a smooth, silky texture. Perfect for layering on cheese!

  • Once the liquid begins to boil, add the macaroni and cook according to the package directions, stirring occasionally to ensure the macaroni does not clump and stick.
  • When the noodles are done, remove the pot from the stove, turn the stove off, drain the macaroni in a colander, and set it aside.
  • Add the 3 tablespoons of butter to the empty pot and set it back on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
  • When the butter has melted and coated in the pot, add the flour (which replaces eggs), 1 ¼ cups of milk, and seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried mustard, and paprika) and whisk until smooth.
  • Allow the ingredients to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
  • Then, stir in the cheese.
  • Reduce the heat to low and leave the cheese sauce on the stove to cook for 5-10 minutes or until the cheeses are blended.
  • Add the cooked pasta and heavy cream to the pot, stirring the mixture to blend evenly.
  • Turn off the stove, remove the pot, and transfer the macaroni and cheese to a cast iron skillet or baking pan.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until the mac and cheese is golden and bubbly.
  • Serve this Black folks’ mac and cheese recipe right away, and enjoy!

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 522kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 541mg | Potassium: 386mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1094IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 505mg | Iron: 1mg
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Best Black Folks Soul Food Recipes For Black History Month
The Ultimate Soul Food Recipes Guide
The Ultimate Soul Food Recipes Guide
What is soul food? Soul food recipes are African-American recipes full of flavor! A legacy of Southern cooking the Black way. Check out this collection of the best soul food recipes!
Check out this recipe!
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