soul food dishes

7 Soul Food Dishes You Have To Try

Home-cooked, meat-and-three, Southern cookin’ – whatever you want to call it, soul food is some of the best food there is in the States. Soul food dishes have roots in African-American communities in the South, although the term ‘soul food’ didn’t become popular until the Black Power movement in the late 1960s and ’70s, when Black people in America began to be able to openly celebrate their heritage and cooking.

This traditional Southern food includes dishes such as fried chicken, collard greens, field peas, cobbler,  cornbread, sweet potato pie, and so much more. If you want to try your hand at cooking up some proper soul food dishes at home, these recipes from top bloggers are the perfect place to start…

Soul Food Dishes You Have To Try

1. Southern Fried Chicken

A lot of traditional southern fried chicken recipes, are actually buttermilk fried chicken recipes. However, that is not the only way to make southern fried chicken. Instead of using buttermilk, they brine the chicken in a salt & sugar water. This method uses that for fried chicken that always comes out extra moist & juicy.

Recipe is by I Heart Recipes.

soul food dishes

2. Southern Collard Greens

Collard greens are made with greens of course, smoked turkey, onions and garlic, vinegar, crushed red chili peppers, green peppers, jalapenos (optional) chicken base, salt pepper and a bit of sugar.

Recipe is by Whisk It Real Gud.

soul food dishes

3. Skillet Cornbread

There are few things more southern than a crispy-edged skillet of cornbread. Growing up in the South, cornbread was always made in a cast-iron skillet, generally one passed down through generations.

Recipe is by Southern Cravings.

Cornbread in cast iron skillet with butter and pot holder

4. Fried Okra

Classic Fried Okra dredges fresh cut okra in a seasoned cornmeal and flour mixture before frying in hot oil to form a delicious, crispy, crunchy bite.

Recipe is by Simply Lakita.

5. Buttermilk Biscuits

Make these fluffy, tender, flaky, buttery, from-scratch buttermilk biscuits! This is what good Southern meals are made of. I mean, can you think of anything else that is as Southern as a buttermilk biscuit, besides sweet tea?

Recipe is by Divas Can Cook.

Buttermilk Biscuit Recipe

6. Banana Pudding

This Southern Banana Pudding is an heirloom family recipe and classic Southern dessert. Airy meringue atop creamy pudding is a delicious favourite and makes the best banana pudding!

Recipe is by Add A Pinch.

7. Southern Black-Eyed Peas

This soul food inspired black-eyed peas recipe is scrumptiously laden with pancetta, onions, garlic, and kale. Ancho chile pepper flakes, hot sauce, and jalapeños give the peas a welcome kick of heat for delightful tongue tingles of flavor.

Recipe is by Make It Grateful.

5D4B4372 - Southern Black Eyed Peas

Want more Southern eats? Check out these tasty Soul Food Side Dishes here.

Sarah Clayton-Lea

Co-founder of Big 7 Travel, Sarah created the company through her passion for championing the world's best food and travel experiences. Before her career in digital media, where she previously held roles such as Editor of Food&Wine Ireland, Sarah worked in the hospitality industry in Dublin and New York.

Contact [email protected]

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