I’m Shaunda Necole, a soul food blogger and East coast Southern girl with a super sunny West coast heart!
I share a legacy of African-American recipes (Black people food). Soul food full of flavor and now Instant Pot easy enough for anyone to make and everyone to love!
Easy soul food recipes
Want a thirty-minute investment for a soul food dinner idea?
Good, because you’ll find contemporary cooking methods here on my niche blog, The Soul Food Pot.
Iconic African-American recipes (Black folks’ food) re-imagined via Instant Pot.
Best Instant Pot Comparison Guide
Don't have an Instant Pot? Get yours now & enjoy all the benefits!Which Instant Pot is best for you?Use this Instant Pot comparison guide for info and ease in purchasing your next Instant Pot appliance!
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What is soul food exactly?
Tender, juicy meats, flavorful gravies and sauces, and vegetables seasoned so deliciously that you forget they’re good for you! That’s soul food – a legacy of Southern cooking the Black way.
What is the meaning of soul food?
‘Soul’ is the word used to describe the swag and unique style of African-American cuisine. You know. The flavor.
So any time someone asks the question, “What exactly is soul food?”
Tell them to start here!
Best soul food recipes
Soul food breakfast
Black Folks Southern Fried Chicken And Waffles Recipe
Southern fried chicken and waffles recipe is the perfect pair for a delicious and soulful breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner! This recipe includes a beautiful marriage of juicy and tender Southern fried chicken and fluffy, buttery waffles with a delicious twist of sweet and spicy syrup for a delicate kiss of sweet heat.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Shrimp And Grits Recipe
The secret ingredient to Black folks shrimp and grits is the Southern Creole sauce! Typical to soul food and Black folks cooking, the seasonings make each recipe like none other. It's all about the spices and the special sauce.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Pork Jowl Bacon In The Air Fryer
Pork jowl or hog jowl is a Black Folks soul food staple served on New Year's Day w/ black-eyed peas, cornbread & collard greens. This recipe is a contemporary soul food recipe for pork jowl. A new twist on an old classic, cooked quicker, easier, and still to perfection in the air fryer!
Check out this recipe!
Soul food lunch
Black Folks Chicken Salad Recipe
Are you craving the perfect chicken salad?Black folks' chicken salad goes beyond the mayo and chicken chunks! It's packed with flavor and just the right amount of savory, sweet, and crunch.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Soul Food Chicken Yock Recipe (Yock-A-Mein)
Chicken yock is a big bowl of comfort. In a warm, flavorful broth, soul food and Chinese food combine for tender chicken and noodles. This dish is also known as Old Sober, yak, yok, yock-a-mein (yaka mein), or simply Chinese yock.
Check out this recipe!
Southern Soul Food Tomato Watermelon Salad
Add to the menu tangy and sweet tomato watermelon salad for your next outdoor BBQ party!Summertime is all about the refreshing flavors of juicy watermelon and tangy tomatoes. This recipe for tomato watermelon salad with feta cheese, pickled onions, pickled peppers, and zesty cilantro is a classy Southern dish, perfect for any occasion!
Check out this recipe!
Soul Food Southern Mac And Cheese
African American grandmas and moms have been producing great pots of soul food Southern mac and cheese for years!It just might've gotten lost how impactful this recipe is to the Black community.
Check out this recipe!
Soul food recipes for dinner
Black Folks Soul Food Southern Smothered Chicken
What makes a delicious soul food smothered chicken recipe? Tender, juicy chicken seasoned with soul food spices and smothered in a flavorful, creamy gravy medley. That's Southern comfort food at its finest!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Chicken And Dressing
Thanksgiving means Southern soul food, made by our grandmamas, mamas, and favorite aunties. A meal we’ve waited all year to eat!One Southern dish that you shouldn’t miss this Thanksgiving is Black folks chicken and dressing.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Soul Food Southern Fried Chicken Recipe
What is the secret to good fried chicken? The answer is a soul food Southern fried chicken recipe that Black folks created and perfected!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Soul Food Southern Fried Chicken In The Air Fryer
People ask, "What is Southern fried chicken?"Instead, they should ask, "What is the secret to good fried chicken?"Because the answer is a soul food Southern fried chicken recipe that Black folks created and perfected - and here's how to cook it in an air fryer!
Check out this recipe!
Soul Food Cornish Hens
This soul food Cornish hens recipe is made the way Black folks season and prepare chicken, so it's moist, juicy, and full of flavor! The only thing these little birds lack is less fat and fewer calories compared to chicken!
Check out this recipe!
Soul Food Southern Homemade Hamburger Helper
If you want to enjoy Hamburger Helper to the fullest of flavors, always opt for this soul food Southern homemade Hamburger Helper recipe!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Soul Food Meatloaf Recipe
A Black folks' Southern soul food meatloaf recipe is on the shortlist of official comfort foods of the South. A flavorful all-time favorite & classic meatloaf recipe!
Check out this recipe!
Southern Soul Food Corned Beef And Cabbage
Southern soul food corned beef and cabbage is pressure-cooked & enriched with intense flavor. Tender seasoned meat with buttery rich cabbage is a Southern comfort food favorite!
Check out this recipe!
Southern Chicken And Dumplings The Black Way
Making Southern chicken and dumplings the Black folks' way involves a flavorful chicken broth with seasoned chicken, plump biscuit dumplings, and just the right amount of savory, tender vegetables. It's another epic display of soulful Southern comfort food at its finest!
Check out this recipe!
Soul Food Lobster Tail Recipe
How to steam soul food lobster tails:Whipping together a Cajun garlic butter sauce & steaming soul food lobster tail in the Instant Pot is as easy as 1 minute! You may find yourself rereading the instructions thinking it can't be that easy!
Check out this recipe!
Steve Harvey Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce
Steve Harvey shares his easy homemade BBQ sauce recipe.This Southern BBQ sauce is perfect for slathering your favorite meats for Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, or any other holiday! You'll have enough leftover sauce to store in a mason jar and share!
Check out this recipe!
Soul foods side dish menu
Black Folks Soul Food Baked Macaroni And Cheese
Soul food baked mac and cheese is made with a rich & creamy homemade cheese sauce & yummy Southern spices. Southern comfort food the Black folks way!
Check out this recipe!
Soul Food Lobster Mac And Cheese
Even with the addition of decadent lobster meat, there’s no compromise to the Southern soul food flavors customary to this meal. In other words, this is still baked macaroni and cheese made the Black folks way!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Soul Food Collard Greens Recipe
What is a soul food collard greens recipe? A Black folks collard greens recipe is the quintessential dish of any Southern soul food dinner.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
Who has the best mashed potatoes? This Black folks creamy mashed potatoes recipe is the best I've ever had & my family's favorite too!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Potato Salad Recipe
Black folks Southern potato salad recipe is a must-have for any African American cookout, family reunion, picnic, or potluck! It’s a creamy yet tangy dressing balanced by soul food seasonings and flavors. AKA Black cookout potato salad!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Candied Yams
Candied yams are an old-fashioned African-American recipe. A sweet potato soul food side dish cooked to perfection in a cinnamon-brown sugar glaze.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Cornbread Dressing Recipe
Black folks cornbread dressing recipe is a Southern dish you shouldn’t miss on the soul food Thanksgiving menu. It's easy for anyone to make!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Love easy Instant Pot recipes? And who doesn’t love a soul food seasoned side dish? Now you can have Black folks brown sugar-glazed carrots in less than five minutes with Instant Pot!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Soul Food Black Eyed Peas
Soul food Southern black eyed peas are intensely flavored in a thick sauce with smokey & spicy seasonings. Warm, comforting, & flavorful good luck you can eat for prosperity in the New Year!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Cabbage Recipe
Black folks Southern cabbage recipe is a delicious way to enjoy one of the South's favorite side dishes that's warm and sweet with savory soul food flavors!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Green Beans In The Instant Pot
Black folks, Southern green beans are not just another bland green vegetable! And with Instant Pot, they're ready in only 2 mins with no compromise to the irresistible Southern soul food flavors!
Check out this recipe!
Soul food cornbread
Black Folks Homemade Cornbread
Black folks homemade cornbread does not use a box mix. Instead, cornmeal is used to make this Southern skillet cornbread recipe from scratch.
Check out this recipe!
Southern Cornbread Recipe With Corn
This cornbread recipe with corn is my go-to for a soul food Thanksgiving menu, Christmas dinner, and Sunday Southern dinners all throughout the year!You’ll never want another dry slice of bread again!
Check out this recipe!
Southern Sweet Cornbread Recipe
Give your next meal the Southern comfort it deserves! This sweet cornbread recipe uses a cornmeal mix, butter, and secret ingredients, crushed pineapple & cream cheese.
Check out this recipe!
Cranberry Sauce Cornbread
A sweet soul food cornbread and fresh cranberry sauce treat!
Check out this recipe!
Soul food desserts
Black Folks Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
A Black folks’ sweet potato pie recipe is a delightful Thanksgiving and Christmas dessert packed with flavorful seasonings and spices in the tradition of Black folks’ soul food cooking.
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Purple Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
New twist on an old classic: Introducing Black folks purple sweet potato pie recipe! Same but new - incredible soul food flavors with a regal purple hue!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Banana Pudding
How to make banana pudding the Black wayYou'll never be able to look at other banana pudding the same way once you've tried this soul food delicious delight - Southern banana pudding prepared the Black way!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Bread Pudding
Are you looking for an old-fashioned Southern bread pudding or a soul food African American beading pudding recipe? Then look no further than this Black folks' Southern bread pudding - your go-to recipe!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe
This soul food dessert and the darling favorite of the South is loaded with fresh, juicy peaches and topped with a light and airy cinnamon sugar crust. A cobbler so delicious, you may want to eat it all. All by yourself!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Soul Food Carrot Cake Recipe
Soul food carrot cake is a Southern dessert specialty enjoyed by many African-American families as a sweet holiday tradition. Black folks tend to make a more spiced carrot cake with classic homemade cream cheese frosting.
Check out this recipe!
Soul Food Apple Pie Recipe
What makes this apple pie a Black folks’ soul food specialty?The flavor! This soul food apple pie recipe features fresh apples sweetened with brown sugar and spiced with a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg. Seasoned to perfection, the apples are roasted and then baked in the pie to leave you reminiscing on the best Southern dinners!
Check out this recipe!
Beverages
Black Folks Southern Sweet Tea
Southern sweet tea is a delicious blend of refreshingly sweet and tangy flavors. (Mostly sweet flavors when it comes to making Black folks Southern sweet tea!)But sweet ice tea is more than just a thirst-quenching beverage – it's a symbol of Southern hospitality and good company, and it's enjoyed throughout the deep South all year."All that sweet tea and cobbler!"
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Moscato Sangria
Black folks like sweet recipes, so it's no wonder that we've signed on for this fruity and often sparkly Italian wine. And like we always do, started creating our own Black folks' recipes - like moscato sangria!#BlackFolksSwag
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Hennessy & Puerto Rican Eggnog (Hennessy Coquito)
A creamy, exotic, and delectable drink awaits you! Step up your cocktail game with this beverage that features a creamy texture and a rich flavor profile. Perfect for impressing your guests. Hennessy coquito will add soulful swag to any event or occasion!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Soul Food Homemade Eggnog
Creamy and sweet, Black folks' homemade eggnog has a flavor profile that resembles cinnamon, coconut, and rum. Southern comfort spice eggnog and soul food at its finest!
Check out this recipe!
Soul food snack ideas
Black Folks Soul Food Southern Deviled Eggs
Black folks' soul food Southern deviled eggs start as hard-boiled eggs mashed. Then they're seasoned to perfection and stuffed back into the egg whites for a delicious and flavorful snack!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Tea Cake Recipe
What are Black folks tea cakes?An African American Southern dessert, Black folks tea cake is a sweet little biscuit. Light, airy, and sometimes compared to soda bread or pound cake. Tea cakes are a traditional African American treat that date's back to the 1600s.
Check out this recipe!
Pie Crust Cookies Southern Desserts
What is a pie crust cookie?Imagine this. The perfect sweet, flaky crust, bite-size piece of pie with your favorite seasoning (cinnamon, nutmeg) or simply sugar sprinkled over the top...You just imagined pie crust cookies!
Check out this recipe!
Vegan soul food
Black Folks Southern Soul Food Black Eyed Peas
Soul food Southern black eyed peas are intensely flavored in a thick sauce with smokey & spicy seasonings. Warm, comforting, & flavorful good luck you can eat for prosperity in the New Year!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Cabbage Recipe
Black folks Southern cabbage recipe is a delicious way to enjoy one of the South's favorite side dishes that's warm and sweet with savory soul food flavors!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Southern Green Beans In The Instant Pot
Black folks, Southern green beans are not just another bland green vegetable! And with Instant Pot, they're ready in only 2 mins with no compromise to the irresistible Southern soul food flavors!
Check out this recipe!
List of soul food dishes for the holidays
The Best New Year’s Soul Food Recipes
African-American New Year’s soul food tradition best recipes. What traditions do Black folks have on New Year’s? Start w/ this soul food menu
Check out this recipe!
The Best Soul Food Recipes For Black History Month Food & Facts
The best Black History Month soul food recipes & Black history food facts. What’s the difference? Southern food, soul food & Black folks food
Check out this recipe!
The Best Soul Food Valentine’s Day Recipes
Asking yourself what can I cook for Valentine’s Day? Here are romantic soul food dinner ideas for two that won’t skimp on seasoning & flavor!
Check out this recipe!
The Best Southern Soul Food Easter Sunday Menu Ideas
The best Easter soul food menu & easy Easter Sunday dinner ideas- carrot cake, deviled eggs, sweet potato pie, honey baked ham & more!
Check out this recipe!
The Best Southern Soul Food Easter Dinner Sides
The best soul food Easter dinner sides. Easter side dishes, Easter bread, Easter appetizers, deviled eggs, cornbread, brown sugar carrots...
Check out this recipe!
The Best Soul Food Mother’s Day Dinner Ideas
What do you eat on Mother’s Day? This soul food Mother’s Day dinner ideas menu of the best soul food recipes, side dishes & Southern desserts
Check out this recipe!
The Best Soul Food Memorial Day Recipes
Favorite soul food Memorial Day recipes from BBQ sauce, Black Southern potato salad, soul food burgers, Southern fried chicken, & sweet tea!
Check out this recipe!
Juneteenth Food History, Facts & Black Folks Recipes -The Soul Food Pot
Juneteenth food history, traditions, drinks & desserts for your African American celebration. Recipes inspired by Netflix’s High On The Hog.
Check out this recipe!
The Best African American Soul Food Thanksgiving Dinner Menu
What are some good soul food Thanksgiving dinner recipes? This soul food Thanksgiving menu will make you wanna slap yo mama-but please don’t!
Check out this recipe!
Black Folks Soul Food Easy Christmas Dinner Menu
A soul food Christmas menu is Southern soul food entrées and Black folks recipes. Try these Black folks’ easy Christmas dinner ideas!
Check out this recipe!
More Black people food ideas
The Best Soul Food Cornbread Recipes
Southern cornbread for a soul food Thanksgiving menu. Sweet, savory, casserole, or dressing. Try these Black folks best cornbread recipes!
Check out this recipe!
The Best Black Folks Soul Food Cornbread Dressing Recipes
What is a Black folks soul food cornbread dressing recipe? It’s the most flavorful & seasoned dressing recipe (or stuffing) you’ll ever taste!
Check out this recipe!
The Best Black Folks Soul Food Chicken Recipes
There’s no denying chicken with a balance of tender meat on the inside & crispy seasoning on the outside is a Black folks soul food specialty
Check out this recipe!
The Best Southern Instant Pot Recipes For Beginners
Best Southern Instant Pot recipes for beginners & pros. These Southern-style pressure cooker recipes cut the time & enhance the flavor!
Check out this recipe!
The Best Soul Food & Southern Desserts
Southern desserts are classic after-dinner favorites. These Southern desserts are African American recipes. Black folks banana pudding...
Check out this recipe!
The Best Soul Food Instant Pot Recipes
Want fast comfort food that goes beyond Southern? The secret to quick & easy home cooked meals are these best soul food Instant Pot recipes!
Check out this recipe!
The Best Soul Food Sunday Dinner Ideas
Soul food Sunday dinner ideas are heartwarming family dinners in Black American households. A Sunday gathering around African-American food.
Check out this recipe!
African American soul food recipes FAQs
Click on any of the frequently asked questions to get to the recipe with the answers!
Are you bored with your regular chicken dinner recipes?
All your fried chicken questions (below) answered HERE!
What is the secret to good fried chicken?
At what temperature do you cook soul food fried chicken?
What is the use of a deep fryer?
What’s the difference between fried chicken and Southern fried chicken?
Do air fryers work for soul food Southern fried chicken?
What sauce goes with Black folks Southern fried chicken?
How do you get your grits super creamy?
Do you have to make collards with pork fat?
How do you make a Southern comfort food chicken pot pie?
What better way to use up a bunch of eggs than by making deviled eggs?
What do you think of these soul food recipes?
With so many African American recipes, which one will you try first?
Leave your answer in a comment below!
Like this post? Pin the below image to your Pinterest “Soul Food Recipes” board!
Servings: 8
Calories: 240kcal
Equipment
- Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 2 pounds collard greens 3 bundles
- 1 turkey leg pre-cooked/smoked (this ingredient is optional)
- 1 cup yellow onion diced
- 2 cups tomatoes diced
- 4 cups chicken stock use vegetable stock to make vegan and vegetarian-friendly
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce or sriracha sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning or Cajun or Creole seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Clean the collard greens and cut off the stems.
- Then roughly chop the leaves in half through the midline and then into bite-sized pieces.
- Open the Instant Pot lid and add the wet ingredients (chicken stock, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, honey, and hot sauce to the stainless-steel inner pot.
- Next, add the onion, tomatoes, garlic, Old Bay or Cajun seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and stir to combine the ingredients.
- Finally, add the collard greens, followed by the cooked turkey leg.
- Press down to sink the greens as much as you can into the liquid broth.
- Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the valve is up – in the position for sealing) and pressure cook on high for 15 minutes.
- When the cooking time is finished, allow a natural pressure release for at least 15 minutes.
- To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.
- Serve Black folks’ soul food collard greens right away and enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 1238mg | Potassium: 786mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 6095IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 302mg | Iron: 3mg
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