16 Easy Juneteenth Dishes and Recipes

Looking for a show-stopping dessert recipe that won’t disappoint? Look no further than our decadent Red Velvet Cake. This layered cake is the classic recipe to cap off any birthday party, holiday like Juneteenth, or romantic date night. With its rich chocolate flavor, fluffy texture, and tangy cream cheese frosting, this Southern dessert is made to impress.

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Black-eyed peas and collard greens are the perfect combination for a Juneteenth potluck. Both vegetables were brought to the United States during the Atlantic slave trade and became staple foods in the South. Collard greens, with their dark green leaves that sway like cash, represent wealth and money; black-eyed peas represent coins and good fortune. Both are commonly paired with smoked turkey or smoked pork, a combination that is also eaten in the New Year and on Juneteenth, with hopes of a prosperous year ahead.

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Our top secret for making the most flavorful, crispy catfish? A buttermilk and hot sauce marinade. It may sound strange, but the result is a flavorful, slightly spicy catfish that, when battered and fried, produces crispy fillets that rival any at your favorite seafood restaurant.

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While everyone’s definition of perfect cornbread is different, at Delish we like it to be thick, tender, slightly sweet, and not dry. We also believe cornbread should be a simple, quick side to pair with chili or smoky beans. Method Less time consuming than making homemade rolls, this tried-and-true recipe checks all the boxes—whether you serve it plain or with honey butter (which we highly recommend!), you’ll be coming back for more.

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Chef Millie Peartree celebrates Juneteenth, the American holiday that commemorates the emancipation of slaves, with this punch. She says the red color symbolizes the bloodshed and resilience of slaves. In this punch, Millie uses strawberry sorbet instead of ice, which not only keeps the drink cold but also adds a delicious creaminess.

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Finely chopped, these vegetables are similar to stir-fries, with a nice balance of tender pieces and crunchy edges that keep them nice and crunchy. We especially love cooking mustard greens this way, but you could substitute collards, turnip greens, kale, or any combination and they would work just as well.

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Is it too hot to even think about baking a cake this year? This creamy homemade red velvet ice cream is made with a buttermilk base and cocoa powder for that iconic chocolatey tart red velvet taste we all know and love. It’s the perfect treat for any occasion, whether you’re celebrating with family, healing a broken heart, or simply looking for a homemade treat that brings those decadent red velvet vibes.

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Southern cooking can sometimes seem intimidating or overly complicated, but this recipe doesn’t have to be: All you need is a few hours, a handful of staple ingredients, smoked turkey, and collard greens (the star of the dish) to create an easy side dish (or a meal all year round!).

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While the dish has European roots, the Southern dish Americans know today is due to James Hemings, President Thomas Jefferson’s skilled slave chef. Hemings discovered the dish during a European trip with Jefferson and created the delicious cheesy side dish we all know and love. Word of the dish spread quickly and recipes were passed down orally to slave communities, becoming a staple on African American and Southern tables.

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Taking inspiration from summer salad classics Caprese Salad and Watermelon Feta Salad, we’ve created the best of both worlds with plenty of that red color that’s so essential to celebrating Juneteenth. Juicy watermelon, tangy feta cheese, fresh basil and fresh strawberries combine for a deliciously sweet summer treat. Pair it with a simple olive oil dressing to bring it all together and you have the easiest, freshest side dish you can have ready in just 10 minutes.

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If you want to venture into the world of cabbage beyond corned beef and coleslaw, try this fried cabbage. It’s hearty and full of flavor, and it only requires five ingredients (salt and pepper not included), one of which is bacon! This simple recipe Might be It will convert even the most ardent cabbage hater.especially It is said that eating it on Juneteenth will bring prosperity.

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Our flavor team took the standard corn muffin and gave it a serious boost. The result is the Pimiento Cheese Corn Muffin, inspired by the classic Southern cheese dip. It’s packed with shredded cheddar cheese, diced pimiento peppers, garlic powder, and a generous dash of cayenne pepper.

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While the best barbecue chicken is all about the marinade, we think this recipe is really special. It’s tangy, juicy, and just the right amount of char, thanks to the sugars in the barbecue sauce. Serve it with classic barbecue sides like coleslaw, corn salad, or potato salad for the perfect Juneteenth barbecue.

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Southern tomato pie fillings always include tomatoes, mayonnaise, lots of cheese, and Dijon mustard, but our version takes things up a notch with chopped pimiento peppers that give the filling a delicious pimiento cheese dip richness.

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Black eyed peas have a rich tradition in the South. They’re eaten in the new year to bring good luck and to welcome prosperity on June 19th, but they also make an easy and super healthy salad. You could of course make this salad with dried beans, but canned black eyed peas work just fine too. The best thing about this simple salad is that it gets better the longer it sits, so you can make it in advance if you like.

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