The Soul Food Pod Episode 7: Black Cookout Food
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“If Black folks’ Southern fried chicken is Michael Jackson, Black folks’ Southern potato salad is Prince.” – Shaunda Necole
What is Black cookout food?
On The Soul Food Pod episode 7, host Shaunda Necole, and her mom, Mama Mary (Ma-Ma), explore why Black cookouts are a beloved tradition in the African American community, the cultural significance and love for Black folks’ potato salad at African American gatherings and cookouts, alongside other soul food dishes such as BBQ meats, collard greens, coleslaw, baked beans, and pig pickin cake.
What you’ll learn in this episode?
- The history of Black cookout food
- Why Black cookouts are a celebration of soul food
- Why a Black cookout menu matters
- The history of Southern pig pickin cake and it’s deliciousness
- Common Black cookout foods
- The phenomenon of Black folks’ potato salad
- “Would You Rather” game with Black cookout food
- Cracking the code of Black cookout potato salad
- Why do Black people care so much about Southern potato salad?
Apple Podcasts: Black Cookout Food
Black family cookout
What does cookout mean in the Black community?
Black BBQ menu
What’s on the Black cookout food menu?
What items are at a Black BBQ?
These are the most common foods you’ll find on a Black BBQ menu:
- BBQ meats: chicken, ribs, brisket, pulled pork
- Soul food BBQ chicken
- Southern pulled BBQ chicken or pulled pork
- Soul food homemade burgers
- Black folks Southern coleslaw
- Black folks Southern potato salad
- Soul food macaroni salad
- Grilled corn on the cob
- Soul food homemade cornbread
- Black folks banana pudding
- Southern soul food pig pickin cake
What sides for the Black BBQ?
What are good sides to bring to a cookout? Start with these most common Black soul food cookout sides:
- Black cookout potato salad
- Soul food baked beans
- Black folks coleslaw
- Soul food macaroni salad
- Tomato watermelon salad
- Southern corn salad
- Southern pasta salad with Italian dressing
- Soul food deviled eggs
- Soul food collard greens
- Black folks baked macaroni and cheese
- Grilled corn on the cob
- Soul food homemade cornbread
- Southern fried cabbage
What not to do at a Black cookout?
Attending a Black cookout involves more than just enjoying delicious food. It’s about engaging in lively conversations, sharing laughter, and celebrating Black culture along with our diverse heritage of ethnic foods.
So, what are the rules of a Black family barbecue? Check out my post HERE!
Black cookout food FAQs
What do you do at a Black cookout?
Eat, drink, and be merry outside because Black cookouts are a tradition in which African Americans celebrate by gathering for a meal and spending time with family and friends outside featuring a menu of soul food favorite dishes.
What are the best Black cookout songs?
Black family cookouts are also home to Black cookout songs. An African American cookout or Black family reunion playlist will likely include these iconic songs:
- Before I Let Go by Franky Beverly And Maze (The official Black cookout song anthem)
- Family Reunion by The O’Jays
- Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now by McFadden & Whitehead
- That’s the Way of the World by Earth, Wind & Fire
- Celebration by Kool & The Gang
- Love and Happiness by Al Green
- Flash Light by Parliament
- Candy by Cameo
- Da’ Butt by E.U.
- Never Too Much by Luther Vandross
- Got To Give It Up by Marvin Gaye
- Outstanding by The Gap Band
- Remember The Time by Michael Jackson
- Kiss by Prince
- Return Of The Mack by Mark Morrison
- Poison by BBD
- This Is How We Do It by Montell Jordan
- It Takes Two by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock
- Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
- Real Love by Mary J Blige
- Finesse by Bruno Mars
- Electric Boogie (The Electric Slide) by Marcia Griffiths
- Cupid Shuffle by Cupid
- Cha Cha Slide by DJ Casper
- Wobble by V.I.C.
What do you bring to a Black cookout?
What is usually at a cookout?
Main dishes for the cookout – HERE
Black family cookout side dishes – HERE
Desserts to bring to a Black cookout – HERE
Black cookout menu appetizers and drinks – HERE
Why is food so important to Black culture?
Soul food has a rich and flavorful history that ties Black culture to its African roots. That history is deeply reflected in Black people’s food.
Soul food history and recipes began because of Black people’s lack of food access.
“Making something from nothing” with the leftover scraps was the food system for enslaved Africans.
Being able to feed someone is a significant and respected part of Black food culture.
Black people gather, connect, and celebrate with soul food. Food is a way to show how much another person is cared for, thus the tradition of African American cookouts and Black cookout food.
What popular holidays do Black people celebrate with cookout food?
What goes in Black folks’ Southern potato salad?
A classic soul food Southern potato salad dish consists primarily of potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, pickles, celery, and onion with a dressing of mayonnaise (or Miracle Whip), mustard, and various seasonings.
There are many ways to season the dressing, and some recipes include relish, pickles, horseradish, or hot sauce.
Links and resources mentioned in the episode:
- The best Black cookout food and menu ideas
- Best soul food cookout side dishes
- Southern pig pickin cake recipe
- Steve Harvey’s homemade BBQ sauce recipe
- Black folks’ Southern potato salad recipe
- SNL Black Jeopardy with Chadwick Boseman (King T’Challa)
Transcript Ep. 7:
Where to listen to the podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music
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I really enjoyed listening and reading this podcast! However, it’s not the real deal cookout if you don’t have my potato salad w/egg and sweet pickles, angel eggs,( I don’t want to eat anything deviled)😂baked beans, barbecue chicken grilled crispy, but not burnt, hot dogs and hamburgers, ribs, and last but not least WATERMELON! 🍉 Yes!Yes! Yes! #soulfoodcookoutforme
I couldn’t agree more about the BBQ chicken grilled crispy!