20 soul food recipes to celebrate black story – a few chefs

02/01/2025

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These delicious Soul food recipes From authors Marrecus and the Crysten Wilkes from Boils with soul Honor the roots of black American kitchen!

Hi, it’s Marrecus and Krysten, husband and wife -team from Cooks with soul. We are happy to join forces with a few chefs to share with you our favorite soul food recipes and honor the roots of Black American Cuisine!

As food bloggers, we need to recognize the effect of black Americans on our food heritage, from the African diaspora to modern cuisine. Our goal is to preserve family recipes that have gone down through several generations, many of which have cultural and regional significance.

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Chefs with soul marrecus and the crystal wilkes

Our story

Both of us grew up with a parent who worked in the food industry as chefs and catering companies. However, our connection, experiences, relationships and cultural ties with food have roots that reach much further back in time.

During the great migration, when six million black Americans fled to the south to escape racial separation and discrimination to places such as Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, black individuals not only created new food roads, but also transferred food traditions.

For example, my (crystal) grandmother’s grandparents ran a boarding school during the movement. They provided black travelers with shelter and food and gave them homemade meals to continue the rest of their journey.

Marrecus, raised in Memphis, spent his summers in Mississippi, farmed chickens and pigs and cultivated vegetables in his grandfather’s garden. These hot days pick butter beans, purple hulls and collard greens not only shaped his connection to the country, but also his approach to food. This is where the journey from farm to table began for him – a concept that was rooted in black American culture long before it became a trendy buzzword.

These early experiences have formed not only our individual relationship with food, but also our understanding of the importance of family meals. The essence of our history and connection to food is deeply ingrained, which reflects not only our parents’ influence, but also the wider tapestry of our cultural and family heritage with soul food.

What is soulfood?

Soulfood is more than just a menu; It is a sense of confidentiality that we share with our ancestors. It runs from taking what was once considered the less desirable meat cuts, such as oxtails, and turning them into culinary masterpieces, down to the alchemy of spices and cooking methods from countries in Africa.

In our kitchen, soul food is as much fried chicken as it is collard greens and black -eyed peas. It is also macaroni and cheese and corn bread and red beans and rice, all of which include African, European and Native American contributions.

Each of these recipes tells stories – about survival, joy and a rich cultural heritage. So when we start with Black History Month, don’t just cook; Let’s create, celebrate and remember.