The best soul food Christmas menu, featuring over 30 of our favorite celebration recipes!
It’s Christmastime! I looove all the twinkling lights, holiday soul music, and most importantly, the smell of soul food coming from the kitchen. It’s the time of year when we gather with loved ones, share stories, and pass down traditions—many of which start right at the dinner table.
Whether you’re hosting for the first time or keeping the family’s holiday traditions alive, a Soul Food Christmas is all about comfort, flavor, and love. This blog post is packed with recipes that honor our heritage, celebrate the season, and keep everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds lol).
Why Soul Food Makes Christmas Special
For Black families, food is more than just something to eat—it’s history, culture, and connection. Dishes like candied yams, collard greens, and cornbread dressing aren’t just sides; they’re recipes that have been passed down through generations. At Christmas, they take center stage, bringing warmth and soul to every table.
Your Soul Food Christmas Menu
If you’re ready to wow your family this year, here’s a lineup of dishes that will have everyone asking for the recipes!
Soul Food Christmas Dinner Recipes
Reverse Sear Prime Rib Roast
Indulge in this holiday centerpiece with our reverse sear prime rib recipe—slow-cooked, seasoned to perfection, and finished with mouthwatering compound butter!
Double Smoked Ham
A show-stopping double smoked ham with a rich and flavorful brown sugar bourbon glaze is the perfect centerpiece for Thanksgiving. It’s the perfect meal that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds.
Southern Fried Chicken Recipe
Turkey not your thing? Southern fried chicken is a cherished family soul food recipe that brings crispy, golden goodness to our table. It has a delightful crunch on the outside, juicy tenderness within, and the perfect blend of seasonings.
Crawfish Etouffee Recipe
This crawfish etouffee recipe features meaty crawfish tails that are smothered in a flavorful, rich gravy made with a roux, the"holy trinity", herbs, and spices. Serve it over a bed of steamed rice and garnish with green onions and parsley for a complete dish!Â
Southern Oxtail Recipe (Tender, Fall Off the Bone!)
This oxtail recipe is a cooked to tender perfection, smothered in rich, velvety gravy with bell pepper and onion and served over rice. It’s perfect for a Southern soul food Thanksgiving dinner.
Louisiana Seafood Boil Recipe with Cajun Butter Sauce
A Louisiana seafood boil recipe with Cajun butter sauce, crab, shrimp, andouille sausage, red potatoes, sweet corn, and boiled eggs.
Cream of Crab Soup
Cream of Crab Soup, a classic from the Chesapeake Bay, is a rich and delicious dish made with succulent crab meat and seasoned with the iconic flavors of Old Bay. Creamy and indulgent, it’s a winner whether you’re a seasoned seafood lover or trying Maryland crab for the first time.Â
Pellet Grill Smoked Turkey
Our pellet grill smoked turkey (Traeger smoked turkey) is a favorite for the holidays. It’s made with a smoked turkey brine and homemade dry rub so it comes out perfect every time, with crispy skin and delicious flavor!
Spatchcocked Smoked Turkey with Creole Butter Injection
This spatchcocked smoked turkey is made with Cajun seasonings and a Creole butter injection recipe. Perfect for a Southern Thanksgiving!
Smoked Turkey Breast
Worried about having a bunch of leftover turkey? Instead of smoking the whole bird, this pellet grill turkey breast recipe offers a delicious meal for a small family or party of one. It’s a perfect alternative to a traditional Thanksgiving turkey and a delicious dish when you’re craving smoked white meat.
Soul Food Christmas Side Dishes
Best Southern Candied Yams (Soul Food Recipe)
These southern candied yams are the perfect side dish. They’re sweet and buttery and feature brown sugar and warm spices. A traditional soul food candied yams recipe made with sweet potatoes passed down from generation to generation.
Cornbread Dressing
This cornbread dressing recipe is a standout addition to your Thanksgiving feast and a true Southern soul food comfort that’s as rich in tradition as it is in taste. Sometimes called cornbread stuffing, it features a blend of moist cornbread and a combination of celery, onion, bell peppers, and green onions.
The BEST Southern Mac and Cheese
Indulge in this Southern soul food-style baked macaroni and cheese featuring cheddar, Monterey jack, and mozzarella. This recipe uses no roux and is rich, decadent, and comforting. It’s an absolute must-try for anyone looking to savor a taste of the South.Â
Southern Collard Greens Recipe with Smoked Turkey
This is the best collard greens recipe, featuring smoked turkey legs and a blend of savory spices. Simmered to perfection, these soul food style collard greens are tender, full of flavor, and sure be a crowd pleaser on Thanksgiving Day.
How to Cook Black Eyed Peas
Our Black Eyed Peas features smoked neck bones, onion, bell pepper, and celery.
Cajun Boudin Balls Recipe (How to Make From Scratch)
This Boudin Balls recipe features pork, chicken, and rice rolled in crispy Panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried! An authentic Louisiana recipe inspired by one of Cajun country’s most famous dishes.
Chicken and Cornbread Dressing
A classic African American chicken and dressing made with shredded chicken and homemade buttermilk cornbread.
New Orleans Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Indulge in the flavors of the authentic Creole culture with this Louisiana Red Beans and Rice recipe.
Baked Gouda Mac and Cheese
Our baked Gouda Mac and Cheese boasts a velvety, creamy sauce made with a flour roux and a blend of Gouda, sharp cheddar, and Colby Jack cheese. It’s perfect for celebratory occasions like Thanksgiving.
Best Green Bean Casserole (with Fresh Green Beans)
Make the best green bean casserole with fresh green beans, Campbell's cream of chicken soup, and crispy fried onions.
Cajun Boudin Egg Rolls
Louisiana Cajun boudin egg roll recipe featuring pork, chicken liver, rice and seasonings, and served with a side of homemade remoulade sauce.Â
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping
Our old fashioned sweet potato casserole is a classic holiday side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
Green Beans and Potatoes (Southern Recipe)
Fresh green beans and potatoes are simmered in a rich and flavorful broth with smoked turkey, onion, garlic, and seasonings. It’s a classic Southern soul food recipe that’s perfect for festive holidays like Thanksgiving.
Soul Food Collard Greens
This soul food collards recipe features slow simmered greens with ham hocks, onions, and a dash of red pepper flakes. It’s a quintessential Southern comfort food dish.
Crab Cake Egg Rolls
These crab cake egg rolls are made with crab, crawfish, and shrimp, and feature Old Bay seasoning, bell peppers, and onion. They are the perfect appetizer for game days and get-togethers with friends!
Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Break out your Crockpots for this delicious Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice recipe! Made with kidney beans and the "holy trinity" of bell pepper, celery, and onion, it's so creamy and delicious. Serve it with a side of Southern cornbread and enjoy.
Southern Cabbage Recipe (Soul Food Boiled Cabbage)
This Southern cabbage recipe features boiled cabbage in a smoky, meaty broth with seasonings and spices. A savory and succulent Southern side dish that is a staple on our Thanksgiving dinner table!
Collard Greens and Cabbage (Mixed Greens)
Collard greens and cabbage (mixed greens) are cooked together, simmered in a flavorful smoky broth, with seasonings, onions, ham hocks, and red pepper flakes.
Soul Food Desserts
Best New Orleans Pralines (Pecan Candy Recipe)
These New Orleans pralines (pecan candy) are made with sugar, pecans, and vanilla. Enjoy an authentic taste of Nawlins right in your kitchen.
Old Fashioned Red Velvet Cake
Discover the allure of old fashioned red velvet cake, cherished for its vibrant red color, light and fluffy texture, and subtle cocoa flavor.
Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe
This Southern sweet potato pie has a buttery smooth, silky texture and is made with simple ingredients like fresh sweet potatoes, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It’s an easy soul food dessert recipe that uses store-bought pie crust to save time. Serve it warm with a dollop of whipped cream!Â
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread with Pecan Caramel Sauce
Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread with Pecan Caramel Sauce is a gooey, rich, and delicious treat you will want to share with family and friends. It combines the flavors of classic cinnamon rolls with a fun pull-apart style bread.Â
Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
Elevate your holiday baking with these moist, melt-in-your-mouth red velvet cake mix cookies! They are made with chocolate chips, infused with subtle cocoa flavor, and boast the iconic red hue that will instantly put you in the festive spirit.Â
Brown Butter Sugar Cookies
Brown butter sugar cookies have soft, chewy centers and crisp golden edges. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a cozy evening treat!
Simple Banana Pudding Recipe
Our simple banana pudding recipe is a classic Southern dessert made with Chessmen cookies, condensed milk, and instant pudding mix.
Red Velvet Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
These red velvet brownies are really easy to make. Just throw everything in a large bowl, mix, and bake!
Southern Blackberry Cobbler
Delicious Southern blackberry cobbler featuring a golden brown buttery crust and made with frozen blackberries so you can enjoy it any time of year.Â
Old Fashioned Caramel Cake Recipe
This old-fashioned caramel cake recipe features two layers of moist yellow cake coated in a homemade caramel sauce. This classic recipe is just like the one grandma used to make and is perfect for Thanksgiving.
Peach Cobbler with Canned Peaches
This is one of the easiest peach cobbler recipes, made with canned peaches and flaky pie crust is a delicious soul food dessert. Serve it with a scoop of ice cream and enjoy!
Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas Dinner
- Plan Ahead: Write out your menu, grocery list, and timeline. Prep what you can the day before, like chopping veggies or making pie dough.
- Share the Load: Soul food is about community, so don’t be afraid to ask family members to bring a dish. Auntie’s greens or Cousin’s peach cobbler are always welcome!
- Set the Mood: Add some holiday music, light a few candles, and pull out the good dishes. A little extra effort makes everything feel magical.