We love, love, love these recipes. There is no love like the love I have for good soul food.
And with these, you’re going to get that chicken nice and crispy and full of flavor, and then you’re going to tuck it next to buttery macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and whatever else your soul food heart desires.
The textures, the flavors, the satisfying and comforting vibe? It’s all there.
1. Hush Puppies
How can something so simple be so ridiculously good? I’m talking about the humble hush puppy, and it’s a total showstopper.
This is an adventure in simplicity, with so few ingredients coming together to create something this delicious.
If you’ve already got your oil hot and ready for frying, you might as well toss a few of these in at the end. You just mix up the batter, drop it in by the spoonful, and watch the magic happen.
You get these beautiful, golden crispy little fritters that are just the perfect finishing touch for any meal. They are seriously irresistible.
2. Southern Fried Catfish
You know what’s better than Christmas in the south? A Friday night fish fry! And now you can have one right at home.
This recipe for southern fried catfish will give you the most amazing crispy filets, just begging for a big dollop of tartar sauce.
You’ll bread the catfish in cornmeal and garlic powder, which creates this incredible crispy outside that gives way to that signature flaky center.
And the best part? It all comes together in just 20 minutes, making this a total weeknight lifesaver. You’re going to love it.
3. Red Beans and Rice
This classic comfort food is about to send you spinning with its big, bold flavors and rich textures. We’re talking about a super well-seasoned roux filled with sausage and rice, all piled on top of a bowl of tender rice.
Just let a pot of this simmer on your stove all day, and you will be rewarded with the most generous, classic Louisiana seasoning flavor.
And if you’re feeling a little fiery, just kick up the heat with an extra dash of cayenne. Your bowl will be smoking in the best possible way!
4. Candied Sweet Potatoes
Go ahead and have dessert for dinner, I won’t tell! This candied sweet potato recipe is just that good.
You have these perfect coins of roasted sweet potato bathing in a brown-sugar butter sauce, all topped with some fresh thyme. These are just too delicious to save for Thanksgiving!
Your family is going to be so happy having this side dish all year long. And I’m willing to bet you have all the ingredients in your pantry right this very second. You are just minutes away from the sweet, sweet taste of these candied sweet potatoes.
5. Shepherd’s Pie
This is a whole meal in one dish, and it is PURE comfort food.
You’ve got a savory blend of ground beef and vegetables, which gets topped with the creamiest mashed potatoes loaded with cheese. Then, you bake the whole thing to absolute perfection in the oven.
The top gets all golden and bubbly, and every single bite is just a dream. It’s one of those recipes that makes everyone at the table happy. Seriously, what’s not to love?
6. Sweet Tea Fried Chicken
This is where soul food and a soul drink combine, and let me tell you, it is a match made in heaven. You are going to brine your chicken pieces in sweet tea, and the result is a sweet and salty finish that will make you forget KFC ever existed.
That sweet tea brine infuses the meat with so much flavor, leaving you with these incredibly tender pieces that are just oozing sweet tea juice.
The breading is perfectly salted and spiced with garlic and onion powder, so you get that perfect sweet and savory combo in every single bite. It’s a total game-changer.
7. Grits
Who says grits are just for breakfast? Not me! These grits will have you swooning any time of day, I promise.
They are flavored with a generous dollop of butter and a big handful of cheese, making them the most perfect savory companion for all of your soul food adventures.
Just imagine a creamy, cheesy spoonful alongside some fried chicken or collard greens. It doesn’t get much better than that. This is comfort in a bowl, plain and simple.
8. Southern Black Eyed Peas
Get ready for some good luck, because these southern black-eyed peas are here to deliver! If you think you don’t like peas, it’s just because you haven’t had them like this.
These are seasoned with smoky meat and kicked up just a notch with some red pepper flakes, making a pot that is just brimming with incredible flavor.
And don’t you worry about mushy peas! This recipe leaves you with a pot of perfectly firm and tender black-eyed peas every single time. It’s a southern classic for a reason!
9. Collard Greens
This is the original wilted green, and it is just so delightful. We’re talking about tender collard greens smothered in bacon grease, so you already know this recipe is going to be good.
You just toss your fresh greens in a pan with some onion and garlic, and then you let that bacon and its grease work all kinds of magic. What you get is a pan full of such flavorful greens that your family will be fighting over the last bite.
And since it’s ready in minutes, this is a soul food side that you can have any night of the week.
10. Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese
Once you try this baked casserole, you will never, ever touch a box of instant mac and cheese again. This recipe has it all, with three kinds of cheese and a crispy bread crumb topping that is just everything.
Just get ready to bite into this incredible blend of cheese and butter and let your soul be free. Southern baked macaroni and cheese is a creamy, dreamy masterpiece.
You get to indulge in a hearty scoop of tender noodles swimming in the most decadent cheese sauce. It’s pure bliss.
11. Sweet Potato Casserole
Don’t limit this amazing dish to just your holiday feasts! Sweet potato casserole is a quick and easy soul food side that is perfect for any supper.
You have these perfectly mashed sweet potatoes topped with melted marshmallows and a whole lot of toasted pecans for an amazing sweet side dish with an added crunch.
With plenty of butter and brown sugar, this sweet casserole is basically dessert, and I am not mad about it. It’s so simple to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
12. Stewed Okra and Tomatoes
Any recipe that starts with bacon grease is a winner in my book, and this one still manages to get even better from there. I am so game for any dish with bacon in it, and here it’s paired with fresh okra, juicy tomatoes, onion, and spices.
You end up with a side dish that is just packed to the brim with tender, garden-fresh vegetables and so much home-cooked flavor. It’s the kind of side that might just steal the show from the main course!
13. Southern Deviled Eggs
Is there a better picnic food than a dozen deviled eggs? I think not!
This is the classic hard-boiled egg half, filled with the most creamy and tangy spread, and then topped with just a little hint of paprika for color.
You’ll stir in a squirt of pickle relish and a generous dollop of mayonnaise for a sweet and tangy bite that no one will be able to resist.
Go ahead and charm all your guests with these absolutely fabulous southern deviled eggs. They’re a classic for a good reason!