Browse by cuisine
Southern Soul Food Recipes
58 recipes — each showing allergens, prep time, and servings. Page 1 of 3.
Where it's from
United States
Southern Soul Food is rooted in African American cooking traditions of the U.S. South and its wider diaspora.
National dish
Fried chicken · Collard greens · Cornbread
Several dishes are iconic to the tradition; no single dish is universally agreed as the definitive dish.
Signature ingredients
Core techniques
- seasoned frying. Chicken, fish, and vegetables are often dredged, seasoned, and fried for crisp texture.
- slow simmering. Greens, beans, and stews are commonly cooked slowly with layered seasonings.
- smoking and barbecue. Low, slow cooking over wood smoke shapes many regional meats and sauces.
A typical day of eating
Breakfast
Breakfast commonly features biscuits, grits, eggs, sausage, or other hearty staples.
Lunch
Lunch often centers on a meat-and-sides plate with vegetables, beans, greens, or cornbread.
Dinner
Dinner is commonly a shared hot meal with braised, fried, baked, or barbecued dishes.
Street food
Comfort food
Popular desserts
Typical drinks
Holidays & festival food
Juneteenth
Barbecue ribs · Strawberry soda · Red velvet cake
Red foods and drinks are commonly served at many Juneteenth gatherings.
New Year's Day
Hoppin' John · Collard greens · Cornbread
Black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread are traditional New Year's foods across much of the South.
Sunday dinner
Fried chicken · Macaroni and cheese · Candied yams
Sunday dinner is a recurring family and community meal tradition rather than a formal holiday.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Caramel Cake
A tender Southern layer cake blanketed in glossy, old-fashioned cooked caramel frosting that sets to a fudgy finish.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Sweet Tea
Quench your thirst with a frosty glass of authentic Southern sweet tea, perfectly brewed for smoothness and sweetness. Nothing cools down a hot summer day quite like it.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Smothered Pork Chops
Feast on pan-seared pork chops braised to fork-tender perfection, completely enveloped in a deeply caramelized, savory onion gravy. Serve over rice or mashed potatoes for maximum comfort.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Salmon Croquettes
Crispy pan-fried patties of seasoned salmon bound with egg and cornmeal, a beloved Sunday-supper staple of the soul food table.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Gumbo
A rich, dark, and complex stew with chicken, sausage, and shrimp.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Okra and Tomatoes
Fresh okra simmered with bacon, onion, and tomatoes into a soft, savory Southern side dish.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Dive into this bubbling, ultra-cheesy baked macaroni, featuring a velvety sauce and a perfectly crisp, golden-brown crust. It is a decadent, crowd-pleasing masterpiece.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Hoppin' John
A traditional New Year's dish of slow-simmered peas and rice.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Pound Cake
A classic buttery pound cake made with equal parts butter, sugar, and flour, enriched with eggs and vanilla for a dense, tender crumb.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Hushpuppies
Deep-fried cornmeal fritters studded with sweet onion, a crispy Southern side traditionally served alongside fried fish.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Fried Okra
Bite-sized okra pods coated in a seasoned cornmeal crust and deep-fried.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Buttermilk Biscuits
Tall, flaky, and buttery homemade biscuits with hundreds of layers.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Stewed Pork Neck Bones
Humble pork neck bones slow-simmered until the meat slides off the bone in a deeply seasoned, savory pot likker.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Garlicky marinated shrimp threaded on skewers and grilled in minutes.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Fried Green Tomatoes
Firm green tomato slices dredged in buttermilk and a cornmeal-panko crust, fried until crisp, a Southern classic.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Pimento Cheese
A Southern spread of shredded cheddar folded with mayo and diced pimentos, served as a dip or sandwich filling.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Grilled Corn on the Cob
Sweet corn charred on the grill and slathered in herb butter — the essential cookout side.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Butter Beans
Lima beans simmered low and slow with bacon or ham hock and onion in broth until creamy, a Southern side.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Barbecue Chicken
Juicy bone-in chicken baked or grilled and basted in a sweet-and-tangy barbecue glaze.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Cheese Grits
Stone-ground grits simmered in broth until creamy, then stirred with butter, cream, and sharp cheddar for a rich Southern side.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey
Enjoy these slow-simmered, tender collard greens infused with the deep, smoky essence of turkey. A profoundly comforting side dish that brings authentic soul food flavor to any meal.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Black-Eyed Peas
Delight in these earthy, slow-cooked black-eyed peas infused with the rich, smoky flavors of ham hock and aromatic vegetables. A hearty, traditional staple meant to bring good luck.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
Custard-soaked bread baked until golden, topped with spiked sweet sauce.
Southern Soul Food Lens Verified Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Succotash
A vibrant, buttery skillet mix of corn, lima beans, and tomatoes.
Save Southern Soul Food recipes to your week, and the free Listahan app checks every one against your family's allergens automatically.
Listahan is the household operating system: lists, calendar, events, reminders and chores live beside the food.