30+ Awesome Black History Month Recipes
Black History Month Soul Food Recipes – Black History Month is the perfect time to pay homage to the wonders of soul food! Most of these recipes are on repeat in my kitchen all year round, TBH. All the bold, beautiful flavors in African American, African, and Caribbean recipes are the epitome of comfort food. 🥰
You’ll probably agree that food is an integral part of any culture, and Black culture is no exception. What I love about Black culinary heritage is how diverse it is. From cooking techniques to ingredients, there are so many different ways to make and enjoy Black recipes.
With 30 fantastic recipes for appetizers, main courses, drinks, and desserts, you’ve got plenty of menu options to celebrate Black History Month in style. You can literally whip up a new recipe every day if you’re feeling extra soulful. So, sit back and enjoy the scroll because I have some incredible soul food to share today.
FAQs
At the heart of soul food is down-home cooking passed down for generations. Usually, it hails from African American families in the South. But it can be any home-cooked meal associated with Black culture. And all that deliciousness belongs on our long Black History Month food list.
Some of the most popular soul food recipes Stateside include hot wings, fried chicken, cornbread, collard greens, black-eyed peas, and sweet potato pie. However, Jamaica’s go-to soul food meal is more likely to be jerk chicken or Jamaican dumplings. And don’t get me started on all my African soul food favorites! 😉
Honestly, you can choose any appetizer, drink, main course, side dish, and dessert on this list and combine them, whatever you prefer. One of my favorite Black History Month meals comes straight from my home country, Cameroon. Try a steaming plate of Ndole with a side of fish rolls and some fried plantains. 🤤
So, let’s get to the good stuff and check out deliciously classic Black History Month recipes!
Black History Month Appetizers
1. Honey Hot Wings
Hot wings play a fascinating part in modern Black culinary history that’s worth looking up. But they’re also just plain addictive. Loads of hot wing recipes deliver good options, but honey hot wings are my favorite and a sweet and spicy way to celebrate. They make a stellar appetizer, but you could also serve them with baked crispy potato wedges and grilled coconut corn for a whole meal.
2. Grilled Okra with Dipping Sauce
You’ve had fried okra, but how about grilled okra with dipping sauce? This insanely good concoction features that beloved Southern veggie grilled to perfection. Douse them with a creamy homemade remoulade sauce, and serve them with other finger foods like fried chicken gizzards and chicken croquettes. 😉
3. Smoked Deviled Eggs
Sweet, tangy, spicy and…smokey? Smoked deviled eggs are a real celebration for the taste buds. This Southern delicacy always makes an appearance at my family functions, and for good reason.
They’re also ultra-refreshing and totally satisfying atop a fresh salad. I love them with a tossed salad for a little extra protein or atop a grilled Caesar salad.
4. Aloo (Potato) Pie
These savory snacks come all the way from Trinidad and Tobago, but they’re popular all over the Caribbean. The star of this show is the delectable dough made finger-licking good with a tasty filling of potato, corn, and peas. Fry or bake them and serve them up with mango chutney and some African pepper sauce for dipping.
5. Suya
This West African street food is mouthwateringly good. Tender beef skewered on a stick makes for an easy-to-hold appetizer. You can bake or grill these; just don’t skimp on the ridiculously good spicy peanut sauce. Complete your suya appetizer bar with pita bread and fried plantains for a spectacular flavor combo.
Black History Month Main Courses
6. Southern Fried Chicken
One crunch into the crispy, spicy fried skin and tender, juicy chicken meat will hook you on this recipe. A true Southern classic, fried chicken is soul food at its best. Balance out the flavors and textures by serving fresh and crunchy coleslaw and warm, tender butter biscuits. 😋 Oh, and have homemade barbecue sauce on the side.
7. Fried Catfish Nuggets
Fried catfish is a fixture in Black America and with good reason. Crispy, spicy, fried catfish is what comfort food is all about. These fried catfish nuggets are heavenly and, I should probably warn you, extremely addictive. Serve them up with some Cajun baked sweet potato fries and a pitcher of refreshing lemonade for a dinner that will have everyone raving.
8. Chicken and Waffles
What could be more decadent than chicken and waffles? And no list of classic Black food would be complete without this sweet and savory dish. It’s the perfect mix of fluffy, sweet waffles and syrup with crispy, savory fried chicken legs. Try it with some Tabasco-infused butter and grits and bacon for the sides of your soul food breakfast, brunch, or even dinner!
9. Smothered Pork Chops
Nothing screams soul food like gravy, and these fork-tender smothered pork chops are gravy-licious. They’re meaty, they’re saucy, and they’re super easy to make. This soul food goodness goes great with a carby side to soak up some of the gravy, like garlic mashed potatoes or flavorful mushroom rice.
10. Jambalaya
This classic one-pot dish boasts all the bold, smoky, meaty Cajun flavors that put Cajun cooking on the culinary map. It’s easy enough to be a hearty weeknight meal for the fam but impressive enough to make when entertaining guests. You won’t need side dishes to fill your guests up, but I still like to go all out with homemade garlic bread and sorrel (hibiscus) fruity sangrias.
11. Gumbo
Another Creole favorite, gumbo, is a true Louisiana gem. This dish featuring a rich, complex sauce, the holy trinity of veggies, and generous amounts of herbs and spices is good to the last drop. I know because I always sop up every last drop with a piece of crusty baguette. Serve it over steamy basmati rice or even over some piping-hot cheesy grits.
12. Jollof Rice and Chicken
This one-pan dish is a West African favorite that takes simple ingredients, chicken and rice, to the next level. Rich tomato sauce, paprika, and a scotch bonnet pepper meld with the juicy chicken thighs, making for a true flavor explosion. Serve it up with a fresh cucumber tomato salad and a side of garlic knots if you’re a bread lover like me.
13. Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Add a little island flavor to Black History Month with a nod to Jamaican culture. This super easy dish balances heat and sweetness in a way that still blows my mind (and taste buds) every single time. Plate this dish with coconut rice and fried plantains for a meal that is sheer perfection. 🤯
14. Ndole
Stews are popular in many African countries, particularly in West Africa. Every bite of this aromatic Cameroonian spinach stew featuring peanuts, garlic, and crayfish takes me back home. If you haven’t heard about it, you’ve been missing out. Try it with baked plantains or even fried plantains if you’re feeling a little extra.
15. Chicken Stew (African Style)
A rich tomato base and lots of warm spices, including curry, thyme, and paprika, make this chicken stew another African favorite in my household. This super simple dish boasts intense yet balanced flavors. Serve it with ugali (corn fufu) and njama njama for an authentic African dinner.
16. Feijoada
This typical Brazilian dish, often associated with African culture, is much like Southern soul food in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why. This meat and beans stew is insanely rich and flavorful and perfect for bringing the whole family together over a meal. Make the entire meal a celebration of Brazil by pairing feijoada with Brazilian lemonade and brigadeiro for dessert.
Black History Month Side Dishes
17. Southern-Style Cornbread
Buttery, crumbly, tender, and moist, this Southern-style cornbread may be the quintessential Black History Month side dish. It has a long history with Black Americans and is irresistibly good. Serve it with classic Southern dishes like Hoppin’ John, a steaming bowl of black-eyed pea soup, or just butter it up for a snack! 😉
18. Southern Mac and Cheese
This creamy, cheesy soul food recipe (or variations of it) has been on Black people’s dinner tables for decades. Macaroni and cheese makes my mouth water – especially when I add a touch of my secret ingredient, Creole seasoning. Serve me a bowl of this with a huge, fluffy butter biscuit any day of the week!
19. Collard Greens
Slow simmering collards in a spicy, flavorful broth with ham hocks is a dish I can’t live without. It’s been a staple in Black kitchens forever and pairs beautifully with all the Southern and African classics. These collards with skillet cornbread and fried chicken livers were just meant to be together. 🤩
20. Black-Eyed Peas
Smoky, spicy black-eyed peas with some gorgeous bacon undertones are a soul-warming, hearty side that will take you right back to your mama’s kitchen. So get ready for some soul food vibes. Serve them alongside fried pork chops and turnip greens or other classic Southern dishes.
21. Potato Salad
Would you really be paying homage to Black History Month if you didn’t make some potato salad at least once? 😜Perfectly creamy, with just the right amount of tang and a hint of heat, this Southern potato salad recipe is family get-together approved. Pair it with other classic sides like green beans and bacon or Cajun fried corn on the cob and watch it disappear.
22. Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
Comforting and indulgent, these fluffy biscuits are just like mama used to make. You’ll be eating them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner because they’re just that good. A few classic biscuit-making techniques and a generous amount of buttermilk get them just right. I love serving them with eggs and breakfast turkey sausage, or chocolate gravy if my sweet tooth is acting up 🤎
23. Jollof Rice
Jollof rice is a legendary African dish so easy and flavorful that it comes out flawless every time. Even if you’ve had your battles with stovetop rice, you can take the easy way out and finish this dish in the oven. It’s ultra-flavorful and just as versatile to pair with a main course. Try it with curried goat stew, African beef stew, or any other protein you love.
24. Caribbean Rice and Beans
You haven’t lived until you’ve eaten Caribbean rice and beans! This hearty dish with fluffy rice and red beans infused with garlic, onions, bay leaves, thyme, scotch bonnet, and coconut milk is insanely good. Serve it as a side to other Caribbean dishes like brown stew chicken or Jamaican curry goat.
25. Fufu
Unassuming fufu is an African staple that is smooth, dense, and filling. Its mild flavor means you can serve it up with the most flavorful stews. The plantain or cassava base is gluten-free and truly satisfying. Pair it with a bowl of okra stew, ogbono soup, or anything saucy and flavorful.
Black History Month Drinks
26. Sweet Tea
All soul food deserves to pair with the “house wine of the South,” a.k.a. sweet iced tea if you ask me. There’s just something about sweet, homemade tea from a pitcher that will make you feel both refreshed and loved. Serve it at mealtime or with Southern snacks like tea cakes or fluffy cathead biscuits.
27. Sorrel Drink
Coming in from West Africa and the Caribbean, I couldn’t leave sorrel drink off this list. This refreshing hibiscus drink is prolific in Jamaica, the rest of the Caribbean, and Africa. It’s surprisingly refreshing and gorgeous with its deep red hue. Serve it on a hot day with some jerk shrimp, coconut shrimp, or another meal with a tropical vibe.
28. Pineapple Ginger Juice
Sweet, spicy, and sour, this West African drink is like nothing you’ve ever had. This ultra-refreshing drink makes a good cocktail base and goes excellent with African or tropical cuisine. I love a tall glass of it with African meat pies or samosas.
Black History Month Desserts
29. Peach Cobbler
A hearty serving of sweet peach cobbler is so comforting, am I right? This recipe is always on my menu when peaches are in season. Juicy peaches topped with a buttery topping reminiscent of biscuits are so darn good. Serve it with a hearty dollop of whipped cream and a warm cup of ginger tea, and you’ll be on cloud nine in no time.
30. Sweet Potato Pie
Sweet potato pie has been gracing our tables for so long it’s practically synonymous with Black culture. The creamy, decadent dessert is the perfect way to finish a meal. Serve it after luxurious holiday meals like turkey tenderloin and cornbread stuffing.
31. Soft Mini Mandaze
Essentially the beignets of Africa, this sweet fried bread features grated coconut, cardamom, and nutmeg. It delivers that beautiful fried crispiness with a soft interior that’s way more flavorful than a regular beignet. Try it with a chai tea latte or a warm cup of homemade lemongrass tea for a real treat. 💫
32. Cornmeal Pone
This indulgent Caribbean treat is made with cornmeal, topped with coconut sauce, and baked until its sweet surface is bubbly and delicious. One bite and the tropical flavors of allspice, cinnamon, rum, and nutmeg will whisk you away to the islands. Take dessert to a whole new level by serving this treat with a pumpkin spice latte or a blended Thai iced coffee.
Conclusion
Take time to celebrate Black History Month in the kitchen this year. Try a few dishes from Africa, the Caribbean, and the Southern U.S., and slow down to enjoy them with your family. That’s the beauty of Black cuisine – it’s just as varied as the Black experience, but it can always bring us together. 🫶🏿
