Summer may seem far away, but it will be here before we know it. And with that, Juneteenth begins. The holiday honors the de facto abolition of slavery in the United States and is a major summer event for many African American families and communities. If you’re planning on hosting or attending a cookout, barbecue, or picnic this year, you’ll want to make sure you include some great dishes like soul food on your menu. Read his 25 Juneteenth recipes created by Black cookbook authors and bloggers. They range from buttermilk biscuits to fried green tomatoes to honey butterfish.
31 Southern Recipes Everyone on Earth Should Make
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19, commemorates the emancipation of slaves in the United States. On this day in 1865, after the Civil War, slaves were declared free with the Emancipation Proclamation. According to History.com, the executive order did not immediately free enslaved people (in fact, states like Texas had had slavery for years) but were still under Confederate control. It was said that it only applied to the region. Nevertheless, Juneteenth has continued to be celebrated since his 1866 year and became a federal holiday in the United States in 2021.
Drink
John “Edge” Coradish/Ed Mitchell’s Barbecue
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Promised time: half an hour
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Why we like it: Crowd-pleasing, make-ahead, less than 10 ingredients
Before you spend the day (or the night before) juicing up your citrus for a family-sized pitcher of lemonade, consider this summer’s allure. “At Raleigh, we started adding watermelon puree to sweet tea as a natural sweetener,” writes cookbook author Ryan Mitchell. “Buying soda by the case can be expensive. But with a few tea bags and some sugar, anyone can drink a cup of coffee.”
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Brittany Connally/Juke Joint, Jazz Club, Juice
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Promised time: 2 hours 15 minutes
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Why we like it: Crowd pleaser, ahead of the curve, suitable for special occasions
“To create this punch-top shelf, I accented the deep cane notes of the rum with orange and pineapple juices that I squeezed myself in a masticating juicer,” says cookbook author Toni Tipton. Martin writes. If you prepare the juice and pomegranate grenadine in advance, all you need to do before the barbecue is throw everything into a punch bowl.
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Dude That Cooks
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Promised time: 20 min
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Why we like it: Less than 30 minutes, less than 10 ingredients, perfect for beginners
If you’re having a small gathering, this Juneteenth recipe is just the ticket to cocktail hour. The trick is to pre-boil the rosemary and honey simple syrup so it has enough time to cool down before your relatives arrive.
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Appetizer
grandpa’s cake
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Promised time: 20 min
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Why we like it: Less than 30 minutes, crowd-pleasing, suitable for special occasions
Think of these as cornbread’s sweet, fried poppables. They come together quickly and disappear even faster, especially if you drenched them in honey butter. Recipe developer Jocelyn Delk Adams’ hot tip? Let the dough rest for 10 minutes before frying to thicken and set properly.
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Jerrell Guy/Rodney Scott’s Barbecue World
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Promised time: 10 minutes
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Why we like it: A crowd-pleaser, less than 30 minutes, less than 10 ingredients, make-ahead, no cook.
“It’s not just in the South that people thought about pairing pimiento peppers with cheese,” explains cookbook author Rodney Scott. “But only in the South has this dish become so legendary.” Freshly grated cheese is used to give this no-cook masterpiece the smooth texture you desire.
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Baxter Miller/Ed Mitchell’s Barbecue
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Promised time: 20 min
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Why we like it: Less than 30 minutes, perfect for beginners, perfect for special occasions
Speaking of pimento cheese, it pairs beautifully with these green tomato fritters (as well as bacon and fried pork belly). The slightly sour interior pairs perfectly with rich, fatty barbecued meats like brisket and ribs.
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my folk life
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Promised time: 25 minutes
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Why we like it: Crowd-pleasing, vegetarian, beginner-friendly, less than 10 ingredients
There is no need to worry if you leave it in the sun for a long time. Guests say she devours it within 30 seconds. Sweet relish and jalapeños give the filling the perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
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Main power supply
Amy Scott/Healthy Southern Cuisine
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Promised time: 40 minutes
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Why we like it: One pot, less than 500 calories, crowd-pleaser
This main dish is so hearty that you don’t need to pair it with any other side dishes (though I don’t think your guests will complain if you do). Cookbook authors Eric Jones and Shana Jones replace the traditional white rice and andouille sausage with brown rice and chicken sausage for a lighter result.
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Jerrell Guy/Rodney Scott’s Barbecue World
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Promised time: 50 minutes
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Why we like it: High protein, suitable for beginners, crowd-pleaser
Tangy rib rub + honey butter + your favorite fish fillet (maybe trout, catfish, red snapper, or branzino?) = a decidedly summery Juneteenth recipe. Serve Ed Mitchell’s Silver Dollar Corn Cake with smoked honey butter for an extra dose of smoky sweetness.
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Matt Armendariz/Cooking from the Spirit
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Promised time: 55 minutes
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Why we like it: Vegan, Beginner Friendly, Dairy Free
Served with plant-based pecan “chili” and fresh coleslaw. Make a nostalgic and delicious carrot marinade with coconut aminos, ketchup, and liquid smoke. (Even picky eaters may find this veggie-packed hot dog alternative satisfying.)
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grandpa’s cake
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Promised time: 2 hours 25 minutes
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Why we like it: Kid-friendly, crowd-pleasing, suitable for special occasions
Delk Adams’ classic fried chicken recipe is drool-worthy. But you’ll love this creative mashup of his two southern classics, using sweet tea as the brine. For maximum texture, pat dry with paper towels before breading chicken.
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Robert S. Cooper/Authentic Southern Cook
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Time commitment: 1 hour 20 minutes
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Why we like it: High protein for crowd-pleasing and special occasions
“A 30-minute soak in buttermilk sweetens the fish and keeps it moist and delicious,” explains cookbook author Dora Charles. “In the past, fish was fried in Crisco, but now it’s usually vegetable oil, with a little bacon fat or butter added for flavor.” Drizzle with hot sauce.
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Brittany Connally/Everyday Grand
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Promised time: half an hour
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Why we like it: Crowd pleaser, beginner friendly, kid friendly
If you don’t plan on including macaroni and cheese on your menu, this shrimp-topped main will satisfy everyone’s pasta cravings. “This recipe can be on the table in about 30 minutes,” writes Delk Adams. “You can spend less time in the kitchen and more time just being.” Sounds like a win, right?
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grandpa’s cake
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Promised time: 2 hours 30 minutes
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Why we like it: High protein, make ahead, crowd pleaser
You may want to avoid fried foods. Butter, maple syrup, onions, and spices create a sticky sauce and crispy chicken skin. Delk Adams uses chicken wings, but you can also use legs or thighs. However, avoid using breast meat, which will definitely dry out, as it will take longer to cook.
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side
Avoid dairy products
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Promised time: 40 minutes
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Why we like it: Gluten-free, vegan, crowd-pleaser
Flaxseed powder, vegan milk, and yellow cornmeal combine to create a plant-based riff that’s a must-have for any cookout. The cornbread is drizzled with melted vegan butter and baked in a cast iron skillet for ridiculously crispy edges.
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butter be lady
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Promised time: 2 hours 45 minutes
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Why we like it: Gluten-free, ready-to-make and perfect for special occasions
A far cry from that slimy casserole served at Thanksgiving, these green beans are simmered with smoked turkey wings for a luxurious, flavorful twist. But in a pinch, bacon can be substituted, according to Quin Liburd, creator of Butter Be Ready.
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brown sugar mama
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Promised time: 2 hours 55 minutes
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Why we like it: A one-pot dish that can be enjoyed by a large group, perfect for beginners.
This Creole classic features beans stewed with ham hock and andouille sausage. Many red bean and rice recipes take a long time to prepare, but this Juneteenth recipe uses canned beans instead of dried beans. Thanks to the many spices, it tastes like it took days to make.
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grandpa’s cake
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Promised time: 2 hours 20 minutes
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Why we like it: Crowd-pleasing, ahead of the curve, gluten-free
These vegetables are usually seasoned with ham hock, but if you don’t eat pork, you can also substitute smoked turkey wings. (Bonus points for using smoked meat for a more authentic taste.)
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grandpa’s cake
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Promised time: 55 minutes
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Why we like it: Vegetarian, suitable for children, suitable for special occasions
Southern macaroni and cheese usually contains butter, cheese heavy cream, and eggs, giving it a heavy, rich, and decadent flavor. (FYI, eggs become more stable when baked.) Delk Adams’ recipe uses sharp cheddar, manchego, and gruyere cheeses, as well as lots of spices like ground mustard, nutmeg, and crushed red pepper flakes. To do. Do not overcook the pasta. It will soften in the oven.
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Simply Rakita
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Promised time: 20 min
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Why we like it: Less than 30 minutes, vegetarian, kid friendly
Okra only takes 20 minutes to bread and fry, and once it’s on the table, it doesn’t last long. (In other words, you’ll want to make a second batch.) If you want a very thick coating of crumbs, leave the dough in the batter longer.
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grandpa’s cake
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Promised time: 25 minutes
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Why we like it: Less than 30 minutes, vegetarian, suitable for special occasions
Delk Adams’ trips to visit his grandmother (whom she affectionately calls Big Mama) in Mississippi always began with her daily breakfast of biscuits. Once you taste it, you’ll understand why. If you’re wondering about the secret to fluffiness, it’s the foolproof combination of shortening and buttermilk.
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dessert
Simply Rakita
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Promised time: 55 minutes
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Why we like it: Crowd-pleasing, ahead of the curve, beginner-friendly
Hummingbird cake is an iconic banana and pineapple spice cake that originated in Jamaica and is now popular in the South. Serve with your coffee with this breakfast-inspired twist on the original and you’ll be the ultimate hostess in no time.
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Sally Sullivan/The Way Home
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Promised time: 2 hours 20 minutes
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Why we like it: Crowd-pleasing, suitable for special occasions, perfect for beginners
This vanilla-leaning treat comes from Kardea Brown’s cookbook. On the way home, a collection of Southern Lowcountry recipes inspired by her family’s Gullah and Geechee traditions. The dough is very simple, but I’m not sure if you can substitute it with a store-bought one.
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Amy Scott/Healthy Southern Cuisine
“Peel the apple and chop it into bite-sized pieces so you get a little bit with each bite,” write cookbook authors Eric Jones and Shana Jones. “We want the apples to shine and not be drowned out by overwhelming sweetness, so we toss them with delicious maple syrup and bourbon with a little brown sugar and some spices to bring it all home.” Did I mention that the oat crumble topping has crunchy pecans?
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brown sugar mama
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Promised time: 1 hour 10 minutes
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Why we like it: Crowd-pleasing, ahead of the curve, beginner-friendly
This Louisiana mainstay is rich, buttery, and has a mild coconut flavor. The almond-filled glaze on the surface gives each bite a certain flavor. If you’re looking for more texture, add chopped pecans as a finishing touch.
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35 soul food recipes Southerners approve of (and Northerners should try too)
