36 Comforting Soul Food Recipes

Soul Food Breakfast Ideas

1. Chicken and Waffles

Bite into this classic American breakfast staple. Crunchy, flavorful chicken paired with soft buttermilk waffles with a perfectly crisp exterior guarantees satisfaction!

2. Cajun Shrimp and Grits

What’s more comforting than waking up with a steaming bowl of delicious, spicy Cajun shrimp topping cheesy, creamy grits? The silky-smooth texture defines melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

3. Traditional Grits

You can enjoy grits in so many ways. This simple breakfast is satisfying on its own or topped with a fried egg.

4. Hoecakes

Take pancakes up a notch and make them more nutritious with cornmeal. Enjoy them with berries and maple syrup, or just melt a pat of butter in them.

5. Biscuits and Gravy

Don’t you love soft and buttery biscuits with flaky layers? Enjoy these timeless biscuits smothered in creamy sausage gravy for a fabulous breakfast duo any time of day.

Main Courses (Both Meaty and Possibly Vegetarian)

6. Southern Fried Chicken

The crunchy, crispy exterior encasing the juicy chicken inside is pure heaven. And the not-so-secret trick for juicy, tender chicken is soaking the chicken in buttermilk. Add spices and herbs for an addictive main course.

Cutting back on fried foods? Make air fryer fried chicken.

7. Hoppin’ John

A classic recipe boasts being the pride of the soul food nation. This hearty, healthy dish is rich in protein from beans, bacon, ham jocks, and turkey. Cornbread and collard greens complete the roundup.

8. Pickled Pigs Feet

Tender, tangy, and nutritious pickled pigs’ feet are a true Southern delicacy. Serve them cold as a snack, or chop them up in collard greens or black-eyed peas. They’re also a great taco filling. Add a little hot sauce to balance the acidity.

9. Hog Maw

This hearty and economical dish, bursting with flavor, is a soul food classic. The mild flavor marries deliciously with sweet peppers, zesty onion, garlic, and fiery cayenne for an all-out extravaganza. Fix it for a holiday feast or hearty midweek meal.

10. Chitlins

Another soul food classic kicks flavor and texture into high gear with fresh red pepper, crisp celery, and smokey Creole seasoning. It perfectly complements collard greens and cornbread for a comfort food extravaganza!

11. Chicken Pot Pie

Chunks of chicken with vegetables in a smooth and creamy sauce wrapped inside a tender, flaky pie crust is comfort food for the soul.

12. Breaded Pork Chop

Your soul food menu wouldn’t be complete without pork. And instead of the traditionally fried version, these guys are baked! Enjoy them with Cajun rice and mustard greens for a fantastic combo!

13. Shrimp Gumbo

Pure soul food with spicy goodness and okra for the win. Is it a soup or a stew? Neither; it’s gumbo. Pour it over steaming white rice for the ultimate dining experience.

14. Chicken, Shrimp, and Sausage Gumbo

Give a traditional gumbo extra protein with chicken, shrimp, and sausage. Have a skillet of cornbread ready to mop up that juicy goodness.

15. Fried Catfish

No soul food list would be complete without fried fish breaded in seasoned cornmeal. Pair it with homemade spicy tartar sauce for a match in heaven.

Soul Food Sides

16. Southern Baked Mac and Cheese

Nothing compares to this ultimate soul food favorite. I use a combination of sharp cheddar, jack cheese, and mozzarella for this super creamy and cheesy baked mac and cheese. Enjoy it as a side or vegetarian main dish.

17. Collard Greens

Healthy, easy, and delicious greens simmered in a savory broth loaded with ham hocks. This flavor-packed leafy green is even better when served with black-eyed peas.

18. Mustard Greens

The spicier cousin to collard greens has earned its title as traditional soul food fare. Bacon and smoked turkey balance the pleasant bitterness for another incredibly healthy side dish.

19. Southern Baked Beans

This BBQ cookout staple delivers complexity with smokey bacon. Sweetened red kidney and pinto beans spiced up with BBQ sauce are a must-have at any cookout. 

20. Red Beans and Rice

This classic comfort food from Louisiana has delightfully complex flavors that always hit the spot! Red kidney beans, andouille sausage, and ham hock make this smoky, spicy, comforting beans and rice combo a must-have on your weekly rotation.

21. Dirty Rice

No, it’s not dirty. However, it’s down-and-dirty delicious. While liver gives it that “dirty” look, I bet those who don’t know will ever figure out what it is.

22. Southern-Style Cornbread

Cornbread is a necessity for any soul food meal. This buttery, moist cornbread is super easy and ready in 30 minutes.

23. Black Eyed Peas

One of the healthiest black meals is believed to bring good luck. Enjoy this hearty soul food with a naturally smokey flavor enhanced with bacon. Bacon makes everything better, right?

24. Fried Okra

This healthy(ish) side is super easy and kid-friendly! Simply slice the okra, dip it in buttermilk so the well-seasoned breading sticks, and then fry.

25. Corn Fritters

Turn your favorite sweet corn into a sweet and savory breakfast, snack, or side. The corn kernels give the fritters a good bite, and the veggies brighten the visual attraction. Then, gooey, melty cheese holds it all together.

26. Hush Puppies

What’s not to like about these crispy, crunchy, bite-sized cornbread balls with a soft, moist center? They’re absolutely delicious and super easy to make. Perfect for snacking, an appetizer, or a side dish, with or without occasion.

27. Cajun Deviled Eggs

Munch on these flavorful, satisfying, and not-so-ordinary deviled eggs enhanced with Creole seasoning. The best part is they’re simple to make, budget-friendly, and low-carb!

28. Charleston Red Rice

The soul food recipe, similar to jollof rice, is easy and flavorful. Tender, fluffy rice gets a savory burst from sausage, bacon, and zesty tomato puree. The whole family will love it!

29. Fried Green Tomatoes

A classic Southern side so popular that they even made a movie about it. Whether you have garden abundance or hit the jackpot at the farmers’ market, this is a fantastic way to use unripe tomatoes.

30. Candied Yams

Sweet potatoes or yams, whatever you call them, are sweet enough on their own. Add caramelization, and you have a side the whole family will adore. You could even get away with serving this as a healthier dessert.

Soulful Dessert Recipes

31. Southern Pound Cake

Good ol’ pound cake with a crusty exterior and moist crumb is beautiful! Top it off with homemade whipped cream, caramel sauce, candied pecans, or fresh fruit for a glamorous finish. 😉

32. Pecan Pie

Indulge with this decadent sweet dessert. The toffee-like filling loaded with pecans boasts just the right level of sweetness. Top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a crave-worthy treat.

33. Sweet Potato Pie

Gorgeous, insanely delicious sweet potato pie is all you need to make memorable holidays. But you don’t have to wait for the holidays to impress your guests. You can even make it ahead and freeze it for an emergency dessert.

34. Red Velvet Cake

This Southern classic is a must-have on any list of soul food recipes. The visual attraction is surpassed only by the deliciousness of a rich chocolate cake and cream cheese frosting.

35. Banana Pudding

Making a dessert has never been easier with this no-bake recipe. Creamy, velvety custard with just the right sweetness delivers a dessert the whole family will love!

36. Peach Cobbler

The juicy, fresh peaches complement the buttery and crusty biscuit-like topping. This delicious dessert screams summer fun, but thanks to frozen peaches, your family can enjoy it year-round.

This blog post was originally published in June 2021 and has been updated with more delicious recipes and gorgeous photos