The Heart and Soul of Soul Food

Soul Food is more than just a plate of fried chicken or greens simmered low and slow. It’s about memories made, feeling a sense of connection through conversation, and hospitality. It’s the kind of cooking passed down from generation to generation. For me, it brings back days spent watching my grandmother work her magic in the kitchen.

What is Soul Food?

Soul Food is a style of cooking deeply rooted in Black American culture, especially throughout the South. It’s known for dishes like crispy, golden Southern-fried fish, fried chicken, oxtails, collard greens, cornbread, black-eyed peas, and smothered chicken, simmered, seasoned well, and meant to bring people together. Soul Food has always represented culture, family, and community. Learn more Southern recipes here.

Want to explore Cajun and Creole dishes? Dive into those flavors here.

Core Ingredients in Soul Food Cooking

These are the building blocks of soul food ingredients that always show up time and time again:

• Collard greens & mustard greens - often simmered with smoked turkey or ham-hocks
• Cornbread – skillet-baked, sweet like this Moist Lemon Cake Cornbread or savory
• Oxtails, neck bones, turkey wings – these cuts are made tender by slow cooking
• Black-eyed peas, lima beans, and butter beans – simmered until tender in a seasoned broth
• Hot sauce – always in the pantry or placed on the table for that finishing touch
• Onions, garlic, and seasonings – the base of flavor in nearly every dish

Essential Cooking Techniques

Soul Food isn’t always about shortcuts, it’s about using techniques that bring dishes to life:

• Braising: Oxtails or turkey wings are slowly cooked until the meat falls apart.
• Frying: Fried chicken with a golden crust and juicy center... is Soul Food at its finest. It’s about well-seasoned flour, the perfect oil temperature, and knowing when to flip.
• Simmering: Whether it’s collard greens or red beans and rice, Soul Food dishes are often cooked low and slow for that perfect flavor you know all too well.
• Layering Flavor: You don’t just season once; you season throughout the cooking process. From the base (onions and garlic) or the holy trinity (onion, bell pepper, and celery) to the finish (a few dashes of Crystal's hot sauce).

Keeping the Tradition, Adding a Twist

Some cooks are finding ways to lighten it up, others are putting bold new spins on old favorites, and honestly, I'm not mad. My cooking style captures the essence of Soul Food, but sometimes a little lighter or sometimes with a modern twist, whether it's oxtails over pasta or a healthier take on fried chicken.

Popular Soul Food Recipes

Here are some of the Soul Food favorites you'll find on my site:

• Smothered Chicken and Gravy – Comfort in a skillet, with tender chicken simmered in a flavorful homemade gravy.
• Southern-Style Oxtails – Braised low and slow until they’re tender enough to fall off the bone.
• Fried Chicken Tenders – Buttermilk-brined and fried to crispy, juicy perfection.
• Braised Collard and Mustard Greens with Smoked Turkey – Tender greens simmered low and slow in that delicious pot liquor.
• Macaroni and Cheese – Creamy, cheesy, baked with a golden top.
• Cast Iron Cornbread – Slightly sweet and perfect with any of the above.

Soul Food in Your Home

You don’t have to grow up in the South or have family recipes passed down to cook Soul Food. You just need a love for flavor, a little patience, and a willingness to cook from the heart.