31 Juneteenth Menu Ideas & Recipes
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This post is packed with soul food favorite food ideas ideal for a Juneteenth menu! From the main dish to the sides and even dessert. It’s my pleasure to share with you what food to serve on Juneteenth and why this holiday is so important.
What is traditional Juneteenth food?
Notable Black culture recipes like collard greens, cornbread, baked macaroni and cheese, red velvet cake, sweet potato pie, or banana pudding are a few of the soul food menu favorites served on Juneteenth.
These recipes are part of the authentic soul food family. Recipes passed along through generations and a legacy of African Americans.
What is Juneteenth?
If this is your first year celebrating Juneteenth, regardless of ethnicity, prepare for a cultural celebration of traditions and a soulful feast! Juneteenth is the African-American celebration of the history of the emancipation of enslaved Black people, also known as African American Freedom Day. I discuss this more in my post HERE about Juneteenth’s history.
Why is Juneteenth food red?
Red is the primary color of Juneteenth, symbolizing our ancestors’ sacrifice and bloodshed before freedom. We honor them with a celebratory spread of African-American soul food classics and red food and drinks.
Juneteenth recipes and menu ideas
We honor the ancestors and Juneteenth with a celebratory spread of classic African-American soul food dishes, especially red foods! Use the Juneteenth recipes and menu ideas below to create a menu or decide what to bring to a Juneteenth BBQ or cookout.
Main dishes for Juneteenth
These mouthwatering main dish recipes for Juneteenth food ideas feature savory BBQ sauced meats and delectable red-themed dishes. Celebrate Juneteenth with these fantastic meal options!
Sides for Juneteenth
These Juneteenth-inspired side dishes featuring easy Southern food favorites make the cookout an official feast. Enjoy these quick and flavorful food ideas for your home BBQ, cookout, or potluck event.
Juneteenth desserts
No pun intended, but these Juneteenth desserts are the icing on our menu ideas! From red velvet cake to cherished African American pie recipes, these sweet Southern treats will surely delight your tastebuds.
Drinks for Juneteenth
What? Are there even drinks to celebrate Juneteenth? Yes, and they’re often red in color, easy enough for anyone to make and everyone to enjoy!
What do you think of these Juneteenth menu ideas and recipes?
Which recipes are you going to make?
🎙 Listen to The Soul Food Pod episode: Juneteenth Food
Equipment
- Large pot
- Colander
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided – 1 tablespoon & 3 tablespoons
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup Colby-jack cheese shredded
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon mustard dried
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 cups water
- 4 ¼ cups milk divided – 1 ¼ cups & 3 cups
- 8 oz. macaroni noodles uncooked
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.
- 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.
- Once 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 the pot, add the flour, 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 about 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 macaroni pasta and heavy cream to the pot, stirring the mixture to blend evenly.
- Turn off the stove, remove the pot, and transfer the pasta mixture to a cast iron skillet or baking pan.
- Bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until the mac and cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Serve this soul food macaroni and cheese recipe right away, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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