17 Authentic Soul Food Recipes | Southern Comfort Food

Southern cuisine, renowned for its generous use of sugar and butter, truly epitomizes comfort food. This collection of soul food recipes, inspired by Southern traditions, is a testament to the hearty, feel-good qualities that this style of cooking offers.

Indulge in dishes that are sure to fill your belly and soothe your spirit. There’s no better remedy than a plate of delicious food prepared with an extra dose of love.

Whether you crave the creamy, indulgent goodness of authentic macaroni and cheese, smoked turkey, satisfying finish of banana pudding, peach cobbler, shrimp and grits, sweet potato pie or southern collard greens, favorite soul food serves up comfort any time of day.

No matter if you’re planning lunch or dessert, this list has something to delight everyone. Get ready to heat your oil—soul food often involves a delightful amount of frying. Dive into these recipes and let the rich, comforting flavors soothe your soul.

17. Healthy Lemon Thyme Whole Roasted Chicken in the Oven

Lemon Thyme Roast Chicken offers a delightfully tender, fresh, and juicy option for soul food dinner, making it not only delicious but also keto-friendly, low carb, and healthy. 

This whole chicken recipe is a staple in my kitchen due to its simplicity and ease of preparation.

Roasting a chicken is wonderfully straightforward and requires little more than occasionally checking on it in the oven.

It’s the ideal meal for a busy weeknight Sunday dinner because of how effortless it is to prepare, and that’s precisely why I find myself returning to this recipe time and again.

As the seasons change, there’s something deeply comforting and familiar about the aroma of chicken roasting in the oven.

This dish not only serves as a perfect weeknight meal but also fits beautifully into a leisurely Sunday roast tradition, satisfying both body and soul with its warm, comforting flavors.

16. Sweet Potato Casserole with Melted Marshmallows

Mashed sweet potatoes topped with melted marshmallows and a generous sprinkling of toasted pecans create a side dish that’s not just sweet but also delightfully crunchy.

This sweet potato casserole transcends the usual holiday table and proves to be a quick and easy soul food favorite that’s perfect for any meal.

Enriched with plenty of butter and brown sugar, this casserole is so indulgent it could almost pass for dessert.

It’s a versatile dish that brings a touch of sweetness and a lot of comfort to your dining experience, whether it’s part of a festive feast or a regular weeknight dinner.

15. Shepherd’s Pie – Ground Beef and Vegetables with Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

This classic Shepherd’s Pie combines a savory mix of ground beef and vegetables, all topped with a layer of cheesy mashed potatoes.

Baked until the top is golden and the flavors meld together beautifully, this dish encapsulates an entire meal in one satisfying casserole. It’s perfect for those evenings when you want a hearty, comforting dinner without the fuss of multiple dishes.

14. Biscuits and Gravy for Soul Food Breakfast

Kickstart your weekend with a soul-satisfying breakfast of biscuits and gravy. There’s nothing quite like sinking your teeth into light, fluffy biscuits covered with a thick, creamy sausage gravy.

This version turns up the heat with a generous sprinkle of crushed red pepper, adding a spicy twist to this beloved soul food staple. Drench your homemade biscuits in this rich, peppery gravy for a truly indulgent morning treat.

13. Hush Puppies – Classic Southern Side

Hush puppies, a staple in Southern cuisine, are a marvel of simplicity and taste. With just a few ingredients, these golden, crispy fritters offer a delightful crunch that complements any meal.

If you’re already frying up something delicious, why not add some hush puppies to the mix? Just scoop the batter by the spoonful and fry to perfection.

These irresistible deep-fried delights are the perfect finishing touch to your culinary lineup, embodying the heart and soul of comfort food southern recipe.

Enjoy with this Southern classic soul food recipe!

12. Candied Sweet Potatoes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or a random Sunday night!

Why limit the delight of candied sweet potatoes to holiday gatherings? Indulge in dessert for dinner any night with this luscious recipe.

Sweet potato coins are roasted and then drenched in a brown-sugar butter sauce, topped with a sprinkle of fresh thyme for an aromatic touch. These sweet potatoes are too good to reserve just for Thanksgiving!

They’re easy to prepare with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, making them a perfect, sweet side dish to enjoy throughout the year.

11. Red Beans and Rice – Soul Food Cooking!

Dive into the essence of soul food with this classic red beans and rice recipe. Rich with bold flavors and hearty textures, this dish features a well-seasoned roux filled with rice and sausage atop a bowl of tender rice.

Let a pot simmer all day to develop deep, complex flavors with classic Louisiana seasonings. For those who like it hot, add an extra dash of cayenne pepper to turn up the heat and add an extra kick to your meal.

10. Seafood Gumbo with Shrimp, Crab, and Sausage

Experience the vibrant tastes of the Gulf coast with this spicy seafood gumbo. This hearty stew is packed with a robust blend of shrimp, crab, and sausage, guaranteeing a flavorful feast.

The base is rich with traditional ingredients like onions and garlic, plus a surprising twist of a can of beer to deepen the flavor. This gumbo is more than just a meal; it’s a journey to the heart of Southern cooking, sure to warm your soul with every spoonful.

9. Savory Grits for Comfort Food Breakfast

Grits are no longer confined to breakfast hours. These savory grits, enriched with a dollop of butter and a generous handful of cheese, are a versatile delight that complements any soul food dish.

Perfect for any time of day, these creamy, cheesy grits are sure to leave you swooning with every spoonful.

8. Fabulous Southern Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a picnic staple and a crowd favorite. The classic combination of hard-boiled eggs filled with a creamy, tangy mixture, enhanced with a squirt of pickle relish and a generous dollop of mayonnaise, makes these eggs irresistible.

Topped with a sprinkle of paprika, these Southern deviled eggs are sure to charm your guests at any gathering.

7. Sweet Tea Southern Fried Chicken Recipe

Marry the quintessential soul food with a beloved Southern drink in this unique recipe! Brine your chicken in sweet tea for a delightful twist that adds a sweet and salty flavor profile, putting ordinary fried chicken to shame.

The sweet tea not only tenderizes the chicken but infuses it with subtle sweetness, making the meat juicier and more flavorful.

Season the breading with salt, garlic powder, and onion powder to perfectly balance the sweetness with savory notes, ensuring every bite is a delicious fusion of flavors.

6. Tangy Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried green tomatoes are a simple yet irresistible appetizer or side dish that often gets overlooked next to more common fried foods.

These slices of youthful green tomatoes are enveloped in a golden breading, delivering a delightful tang with each bite. While fried potatoes may get all the glory, fried green tomatoes truly are where the good stuff is at.

Enjoy them dipped in ketchup like french fries, or savor their savory goodness on their own.

5. Tender Southern Cornbread Dressing

In the South, cornbread dressing is a staple that transcends the holiday season. This version is loaded with flavor and perfect for serving any time of year.

Spiced with sage and thyme and packed with tender celery, this cornbread dressing is a delicious complement to any meal.

It can be enjoyed on its own or smothered in gravy for an authentic soul food experience that your family will request again and again.

4. Best Southern Black Eyed Peas

Start the new year—or any day—with a bit of good luck from this Southern black-eyed pea recipe. If you’ve been unimpressed with peas in the past, this dish will change your mind.

Seasoned with smoky meats and a dash of red pepper flakes, these peas are brimming with bold flavors. Forget about mushy peas; this recipe ensures each pea is perfectly firm and tender, making them a flavorful and lucky addition to any plate. 

3. Crispy Southern Fried Catfish

In the South, the real celebration happens at a Friday night fish fry. Dive into this Southern fried catfish recipe for crispy, golden filets that are perfect with a spoonful of tartar sauce.

The catfish is breaded in cornmeal and garlic powder, creating a crispy exterior that encases the fish’s signature flaky center. Ready in just 20 minutes, this catfish recipe is not only a delight but also a weeknight lifesaver.

2. Collard Greens Recipe – Soul Food Dish

Collard greens are the quintessential Southern green, known for their hearty texture and flavorful preparation.

In this recipe, fresh collard greens are sautéed with onions and garlic, then simmered in rich bacon grease, infusing them with irresistible smoky flavor. 

This dish results in a pan full of tender, flavorful greens that your family will absolutely love. Quick to prepare, collard greens can be a delicious and nutritious side dish any night of the week.

1. Southern Mac and Cheese Soul Food Recipe

Once you taste this baked Southern mac and cheese, you’ll never even think about instant mac and cheese again. This casserole is a cheese lover’s dream, featuring a trio of cheeses and a crispy bread crumb topping.

Each bite melds rich cheese and creamy butter, enveloping tender noodles in a luxurious cheese sauce. This baked macaroni and cheese is not just a dish; it’s a creamy, comforting masterpiece that embodies the soul of Southern cooking.

 

 

17 Southern Soul Food Recipes

Discover the soulful flavors of the South with our collection of 17 Authentic Soul Food Recipes.

Print

Ingredients

• Lemon Thyme Whole Roasted Chicken in the Oven
• Sweet Potato Casserole with Melted Marshmallows
• Shepherd’s Pie – Ground Beef and Vegetables with Cheesy Mashed Potatoes
• Biscuits and Gravy
• Hush Puppies
• Candied Sweet Potatoes
• Red Beans and Rice
• Seafood Gumbo with Shrimp, Crab, and Sausage
• Savory Grits for Comfort Food Breakfast
• Southern Deviled Eggs

Instructions

1. qChoose any Southern Soul Food Recipes from the post that you like

1. Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
2. Try the best Southern Soul Food Recipes and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!

Sharing is caring!