24 Traditional Soul Food Side Dishes to Honor Black History Month

Jocelyn Delk Adams
·7 min read
28

Gluten-Free Honey Cornbread

Black History Month falls in one of the chilliest months of the year for many of us, and it's a great time to enjoy comforting, soul-warming meals while we celebrate and honor the legacy of Black heritage.

And for me, there's no food more comforting than soul food! With familiar, down-home flavors that keep you satisfied, these 24 best soul food sides are the perfect accompaniment to any main dish this Black History Month.

Related: The 27 Best Recipes To Celebrate Black History Month

What Are Good Soul Food Sides?

The best soul food side dishes are made with love. Whether it's macaroni and cheese, potatoes or collard greens, soul food is known for being hearty and full of flavor. This selection of easy sides is full of a wide variety of options, including vegan, gluten-free and low-calorie options.

Related: Black History Month: Test Your Knowledge of African-American History

Why Is It Called Soul Food?

The term "soul food" originated in the rise of Black cultural expression and identity in the 1960s. Soul music grew to be a popular genre, getting its name from the influence of gospel music. That idea carried into other aspects of African American culture, including food!

Soul food is defined as traditional foods of the Black populations in the Deep South and has historically been characterized by fried food, cornmeal, chicken, pork, beans and greens. But soul food can include lots of varied ingredients and styles and can be influenced by lots of other culinary traditions.

And that variety of flavors and styles is what you'll find with this list of recipes! I know you'll turn to this delicious collection of soulful dishes to accompany your favorite main dishes all month—and year—long.

Best Soul Food Side Dish Recipes

<p>Melissa Sperka</p><p>A soul food classic, this one gets a flavor boot from smoky bacon and Cajun seasoning.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/291934/melissasperka/southern-comfort-food-cajun-collard-greens-with-bacon/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cajun Collard Greens;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cajun Collard Greens</a></strong></p>
<p>Sanura Weathers</p><p>Bryant Terry's recipe for smashed potatoes, peas and corn with chile-garlic oil is inspired by the flavors of a Kenyan recipe for irio—a seasoned puree of white potatoes, green peas and corn that is occasionally mixed with greens.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/282626/sanuraweathers/a-fresh-remix-of-soul-food-bryant-terrys-smashed-potatoes-peas-and-corn-with-chile-garlic-oil/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Smashed Potatoes, Peas and Corn with Chili-Garlic Oil;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Smashed Potatoes, Peas and Corn with Chili-Garlic Oil</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.i929fm.com/lifestyle/10-black-eyed-pea-recipes-165532658.html" data-ylk="slk:10 Black-Eyed Pea Recipes To Bring Luck;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">10 Black-Eyed Pea Recipes To Bring Luck</a></strong></p>
<p>Caroline Randall Williams</p><p>In <em>Soul Food Love</em>, Caroline Randall Williams shares this remake of her grandma Joan Marie Bontemps Williams’s ni?oise salad; it’s good for you but still has plenty of soul.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/395175/parade/joans-nicoise-salad-with-okra-ladyfingers/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Joan's Nicoise Salad with Okra Ladyfingers;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Joan's Nicoise Salad with Okra Ladyfingers</a></strong></p>
<p>Mark Boughton Photography</p><p>Inspired by the flavors of French onion soup, but a whole lot easier to make, this twist on a blooming onion is a delicious entertaining go-to.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/706542/carlahall/carla-halls-baked-blooming-onion-with-gruyere-cheese/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Carla Hall’s Baked Blooming Onion With Gruyère Cheese;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Carla Hall’s Baked Blooming Onion With Gruyère Cheese</a></strong></p>
<p>Grandbaby Cakes</p><p>In this Southern Mustard Greens Recipe with Smoked Turkey, mustard greens are slowly braised in a savory smoked turkey flavored pot liquor with a kick of spice until it becomes the soul food meal dreams are made of.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://grandbaby-cakes.com/mustard-greens/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:The Best Authentic Southern Mustard Greens Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">The Best Authentic Southern Mustard Greens Recipe</a></strong></p>
<p>Grandbaby Cakes</p><p>There is nothing more southern than this Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe. Sweet potatoes are cooked until tender and soft in a buttery and sweet glaze filled with spices and deliciousness making the best-candied yams dish ever!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://grandbaby-cakes.com/candied-sweet-potatoes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Candied Sweet Potatoes Recipe</a></strong></p>
<p>Grandbaby Cakes</p><p>These authentic Southern Collard Greens are braised in savory meat flavored and perfectly spiced pot liquor resulting in an amazing tender silky texture! Serve with this cornbread or corn muffins and hot sauce for a true down-home meal.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://grandbaby-cakes.com/collard-greens-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Southern Collard Greens Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Southern Collard Greens Recipe</a></strong></p>
<p>Good Food Baddie</p><p>Skip the store-bought mix. Making cornbread from scratch is super easy, especially with this gluten-free honey cornbread recipe! Make fluffy, moist, buttery cornbread with perfect golden crispy edges, filled with sweet honey and bits of corn!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://goodfoodbaddie.com/gluten-free-honey-cornbread-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Gluten-Free Honey Cornbread Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Gluten-Free Honey Cornbread Recipe</a></strong></p>
<p>Grandbaby Cakes</p><p>What are grits and how do you make grits? Check out this recipe for perfect creamy, perfectly textured, and buttery southern grits that are amazing for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://grandbaby-cakes.com/how-to-make-grits-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:How to Make Grits Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">How to Make Grits Recipe</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/846241/brianneizzo/14-of-the-best-gluten-free-brunch-recipes-for-easter-and-more/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:50 Best Gluten-Free Brunch Recipes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">50 Best Gluten-Free Brunch Recipes</a></strong></p>
<p>Nkechi Ajaeroh</p><p>Super easy healthy braised red cabbage with apples, red onions and bell pepper is an incredibly delicious side dish! It's savory, sweet, a little sour, tangy, and wonderfully complements every main dish. This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, keto-friendly and packed with flavorful herbs and spices.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://nkechiajaeroh.com/recipes/side-dish/healthy-braised-red-cabbage-with-apples/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Healthy Braised Red Cabbage with Apples;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Healthy Braised Red Cabbage with Apples</a></strong></p>
<p>Food Fidelity</p><p>These Southern Purple Hull Peas are the business! They are tasty, comforting and an eating experience all in one, making them that side dish you want on the Sunday dinner table.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.foodfidelity.com/purple-hull-peas/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Southern Purple Hull Peas;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Southern Purple Hull Peas</a></strong></p>
<p>Recipe from a Pantry</p><p>Smothered Potatoes are a very versatile southern side dish that goes with just about any Southern meal. Made entirely from pantry staples with minimal prep and effort in less than 25 minutes, this is well-loved by the family potato side dish.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://recipesfromapantry.com/smothered-potatoes-southern/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Easy Smothered Potatoes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Easy Smothered Potatoes</a></strong></p>
<p>Chenée Todsay</p><p>An old-fashioned baked macaroni and cheese with a secret ingredient! This easy southern-baked mac and cheese with evaporated milk and egg is always a hit.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://cheneetoday.com/soul-food-baked-mac-and-cheese/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Southern Baked Mac and Cheese;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Southern Baked Mac and Cheese</a></strong></p>
<p>Razzle Dazzle Life</p><p>Enjoy a pot of Buttery and Creamy Grits, enhanced with half-and-half and milk for a smooth, savory, and flavorful taste with each spoonful. If you've ever struggled while cooking grits, this recipe will yield the best grits you've ever had!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.razzledazzlelife.com/buttery-creamy-grits-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Buttery and Creamy Grits Recipe;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Buttery and Creamy Grits Recipe</a></strong></p>
<p>Sense and Edibility</p><p>Leave your slow cooker to do all of the work with these Country-Style Slow Cooker Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey. Flavorful, tender and so easy to make, this will be a favorite recipe to cook and eat. Freezer-friendly too. </p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://senseandedibility.com/country-style-collard-greens-slow-cooker/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Slow Cooker Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Slow Cooker Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey</a></strong></p>
<p>Britney Breaks Bread</p><p>This Cast Iron Skillet Buttermilk Cornbread is an easy and delicious recipe that you'll be making constantly! It's full of a buttery vanilla flavor with a fluffy texture from the buttermilk!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://britneybreaksbread.com/cast-iron-skillet-buttermilk-cornbread/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cast Iron Skillet Buttermilk Cornbread;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cast Iron Skillet Buttermilk Cornbread</a></strong></p>
<p>I Can You Can Vegan</p><p>This Fried Cabbage Recipe is the perfect side dish! Savory and easy to make, cooked with red and green bell peppers.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.icanyoucanvegan.com/easy-vegan-fried-cabbage/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Easy Vegan Fried Cabbage;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Easy Vegan Fried Cabbage</a></strong></p>
<p>The Skinni Food Whore</p><p>Slow-cooked string beans are the perfect side dish for any protein. The smoked turkey makes a flavorful broth for this southern-style side dish.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://theskinnifoodwhore.com/slow-cooked-string-beans-with-smoked-turkey/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Slow-Cooked String Beans with Smoked Turkey;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Slow-Cooked String Beans with Smoked Turkey</a></strong></p>
<p>Seasoned To Taste</p><p>Sharing a staple known to have a designated place at every soul food family gathering! Add a tasty twist to traditional deviled eggs with fresh herbs, lemon and pepper sauce topped with buttered cajun-creole shrimp!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.seasonedtotasteblog.com/cajun-shrimp-deviled-eggs/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Cajun Shrimp Deviled Eggs</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/992211/kristamarshall/best-cajun-recipes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:45 Best Cajun Recipes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">45 Best Cajun Recipes</a></strong></p>
<p>Collards Are The Old Kate</p><p>Eating legumes is a tradition African-Americans brought over from Africa. Navy Beans are one of the flavorful varieties we still enjoy.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://collardsaretheoldkale.com/navy-beans/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Navy Beans;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Navy Beans</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/845903/brianneizzo/15-of-the-best-sweet-potato-recipes-for-delicious-holiday-side-dishes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:50 Best Sweet Potato Recipes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">50 Best Sweet Potato Recipes</a></strong></p>
<p>Black People's Recipes</p><p>This southern cabbage recipe is made with bacon and bacon fat to add flavor and texture to the dish. It’s quick, coming together in less than 30 minutes, and is perfect to go along with your favorite entree.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://blackpeoplesrecipes.com/southern-fried-cabbage-with-bacon/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon</a></strong></p>
<p>We Eat At Last</p><p>Made using just a few ingredients and flavored with apple cider vinegar, this southern-style greens recipe makes for the perfect side dish!</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.paleolowcarbkate.com/vegetarian-apple-cider-collard-greens/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Vegetarian Collard Greens with Apple Cider Vinegar;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Vegetarian Collard Greens with Apple Cider Vinegar</a></strong></p>
<p>The Vgn Way</p><p>We all love cheese but sometimes cheese doesn’t love us back. This homemade mac and cheese recipe is rich, creamy and delicious, but gluten-free and vegan. Made with only six ingredients and baked to ooey-gooey perfection just like your Grandma’s.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.thevgnway.com/how-to-make-homemade-gluten-free-vegan-mac-and-cheese/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Homemade Gluten-Free And Vegan Mac N’ Cheese;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Homemade Gluten-Free And Vegan Mac N’ Cheese</a></strong></p>
<p>My Pretty Brown Fit +Eats</p><p>This delicious sweet potato casserole is filled with sweet potatoes and fluffy marshmallows with a pecan-crusted topping. Truly food made for the soul and serves as the perfect side dish for the holidays and gatherings.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.myprettybrownfit.com/sweet-potato-casserole-with-pecan-crusted-topping/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan-Crusted Topping;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan-Crusted Topping</a></strong></p>

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