The best soul food Thanksgiving menu, featuring over 30 of our favorite celebration recipes!
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Gather ’round, ya’ll! The holiday season is just around the corner, and we’ve been busy planning the perfect Soul Food Thanksgiving Menu to make your holiday dinner table a feast to remember.
This year, we’ve put together our favorite soul food Thanksgiving recipes that showcases the best and most popular African American celebration dishes from our website, many of which have been passed down by family members over generations.
Traditional Black family soul food Thanksgiving dinner recipes
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or trying your hand at these dishes for the first time, this menu will bring all the comfort of soul food cuisine to your Thanksgiving table.
For the mains, we’ve got a few holiday staples like pellet smoker turkey and double smoked ham. For the sides, there’s our old fashioned southern cornbread dressing recipe and candied yams recipe. And let’s not forget the desserts—because no holiday meal is complete without something sweet to finish things off like Southern Sweet Potato Pie Recipe, caramel cake, and easy peach cobbler recipe!
We’ll be adding even more delicious recipes throughout the holiday season, so be sure to check back for all the tasty additions your meal planning. Let’s make this Thanksgiving one to remember.
Soul Food Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes
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!
Smoked Turkey Brine Recipe
This smoked turkey brine is our secret recipe for tender and juicy smoked turkey on Thanksgiving Day. Say goodbye to dry turkey and hello to a mouthwatering, flavorful bird with our easy and aromatic brine.
Dry Rub for Smoked Turkey
This dry rub for smoked turkey is perfect for the whole bird, turkey breasts, wings, or legs. It's a smoky and sweet bbq rub made with brown sugar, Cajun seasoning, garlic, onion, and more.
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!
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.
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.
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!
Turkey Neck Boil
These turkey necks are simmered in a Cajun-infused broth with smoked sausage, potatoes, and corn on the cob. Elevate your soul food cooking with this flavorful and easy-to-follow Southern turkey neck boil recipe!
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.
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.
Pork Neck Bones Recipe
Our Pork Neck Bones recipe is a budget-friendly, hearty soul food meal served over rice with Southern cornbread. Prepared in a slow cooker, it’s an easy “set it and forget it” dish that’s full of flavor and rooted in down-home soul food dinner traditions.
Smoked Oxtail
This smoked oxtail recipe combines the best of Southern barbecue and soul food, delivering tender, smoky, flavorful meat.
Fried Fish and Spaghetti Recipe
This fried fish and spaghetti recipe is a traditional southern dish that Marrekus enjoys, even on holidays. It’s made using our Southern Fried Catfish and his mom’s famous soul food spaghetti recipe.
Soul Food Thanksgiving 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.
Chicken and Cornbread Dressing
A classic African American chicken and dressing made with shredded chicken and homemade buttermilk cornbread.
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.
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.
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.
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Get the perfect mashed potatoes and gravy recipe with creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes and rich, flavorful gravy.
Southern Cornbread Recipe
Our soul food cornbread recipe is easy to follow and yields a moist, tender crumb. It combines the rich tang of buttermilk with classic ingredients like butter and sugar for a delightful side dish that complements any Southern meal.
Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan Streusel Topping
Our old fashioned sweet potato casserole is a classic holiday side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
How to Cook Black Eyed Peas
Our Black Eyed Peas features smoked neck bones, onion, bell pepper, and celery.
How to Make Dirty Rice (Louisiana Cajun Recipe)
Learn how to make dirty rice with us! This Cajun rice recipe is perfect as a side dish or a main dish. It has that classic brown color and is full of bold flavor from the seasoned meats, veggies, and spices.
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.
Southern Fried Cabbage
Southern Fried Cabbage is a soul food side dish elevated by the combination of crispy bacon, smoked sausage, and a medley of seasonings. Serve it alongside your favorite main for a simple, satisfying, and flavorful meal.
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.
Creamy Butter Beans Recipe (Southern Soul Food)
This Southern, soul food-style recipe features large lima beans simmered in a flavorful, seasoned broth with smoked turkey and the “holy trinity”, bell pepper, celery, and onion.
Sweet Potato Cornbread
This sweet potato cornbread is perfectly moist and flavorful, made with fresh, mashed sweet potatoes, a touch of cinnamon, and the magic of beaten egg whites. Topped with a luscious coat of melted butter for the ultimate Thanksgiving dinner companion.
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.
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.
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!
Creamed Corn Recipe
Sweet, tender corn kernels are simmered in a rich, creamy sauce, making this dish a true comfort classic that’s easy to prepare and impossible to resist. This cream corn recipe only takes 30 minutes to whip up, making it perfect for a quick and satisfying Thanksgiving side dish.
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
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!
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!
Simple Banana Pudding Recipe
Our simple banana pudding recipe is a classic Southern dessert made with Chessmen cookies, condensed milk, and instant pudding mix.
7 Up Cake (Pound Cake Recipe)
An old-fashioned 7 Up cake pound cake recipe made in a Bundt pan and drizzled with lemon lime soda glaze. It's super moist, easy to make, with a subtle lemon lime flavor.
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.
Peach Cobbler with Frozen Peaches
This Southern peach cobbler is made with frozen peaches and flaky lattice pie crust.
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.
2024 Soul Food Thanksgiving Menu (30+ Recipes!)
Ingredients
- 1 turkey 12-14 pounds, thawed if frozen
Turkey Brine
- 2 gallons cold water
- 3 cups apple cider
- 1 cup Diamond Crystal kosher salt or 1/2 cup table salt
- 2 cups turbinado sugar or use regular granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons fresh rosemary whole leaves
- 5 garlic cloves minced
- 3 tablespoons black peppercorns
- 5 bay leaves
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 red onion large, chopped
- orange zest from 3 large oranges; careful not to get too much of the bitter white pith
Creole Butter Injection
- 1/2 lb. unsalted butter melted
- 7 tablespoons Creole seasoning mix or Cajun seasoning, divided
- 2 tablespoons granulated garlic
- 2 tablespoons granulated onion powder
Instructions
- Make turkey brine: In a 12- to 16-quart pot, combine water, apple cider, salt, sugar, rosemary, garlic, peppercorns, bay leaves, thyme, red onion, and orange zest. Bring brine to a boil, stirring until salt and sugar dissolve, then remove pot from heat (it will be heavy) and set in a sink of ice water to cool completely.
- Spatchcock the turkey: On a work surface, turn the turkey breast-down. With sturdy kitchen shears, cut down each side of the backbone to remove it (save for stock if you like). Working from the inside of the turkey and starting at the neck end, use a sharp knife to cut through the membrane and split the triangular keel bone that joins the two sides of the breast. (If you can’t cut through it, skip this part; the turkey will still be reasonably flat.) Flip turkey over and press down firmly until bones crack and the turkey is flattened.
- Pour or ladle cooled brine into a large brining bag or pot. Place turkey in brine solution, then refrigerate for 16 to 24 hours (about 1 ½ hours per pound of turkey).
- Remove turkey from brine. Submerge turkey in a pot or sink of fresh, cold water for 15 minutes to remove excess salt from the outside. Remove turkey from water, place on a large cutting board, and pat dry with paper towels.
- Make butter injection: Melt butter to a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring often. Remove from heat and stir in 4 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, the granulated garlic, and granulated onion until thoroughly mixed. Set aside about ¼ cup of mixture. Transfer the rest to a tall, heatproof glass measuring cup.
- Using a meat injector with the single hole needle, place the needle in the measuring cup and pull the plunger to fill the syringe with butter. Inject the turkey at approximately 1/2-inch intervals in the breasts, thighs, and legs, paying extra attention to the breast area and remelting the butter if needed.
- Smoke Turkey: Following the instructions for your smoker or grill, preheat to 350°, setting up grill for indirect heat grilling. Add in a few chunks of cherry or apple wood for smoke. (Or, for a gas grill, use wood chips, soak in water for about 30 minutes, and then add about a third at a time to the grill’s smoke box now, after 30 minutes of grilling, and then 30 more minutes of grilling).
- Line a sheet pan (about 12 by 18 inches) with foil. Brush turkey all over with reserved butter mixture (re-melt it first, if needed) and season all over with remaining 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning. Set turkey breast side up on foil-lined pan with tips of drumsticks pointing out (turkey should not extend over sides of pan).
- When wood chunks start smoking, set turkey on pan in smoker or over indirect heat on grill. Cook, with smoker or grill covered, basting every 30-45 minutes with juices that gather in pan, until turkey reaches 145° to 165° in thickest part of breast not touching the bone, 1 ¾ to 2 ¼ hours. (We like to cook their turkey to 145° but some people prefer it more done.) Baste one final time, then remove from the grill.
- Let turkey rest 20-30 minutes before carving.
