The Best Soul Food Christmas Recipes (Southern Style) has the best collection of gumbo, ham, oxtail, candied sweet potatoes, homemade cornbread, peach cobbler and more. This is the perfect resource for main dishes, appetizers, sides, breakfast, brunch, cocktails, and more!
Before You Begin: Figure Out How Many People Will Be in Attendance
Determine how many people are coming by. One of the great things about soul food menus is that you can always make more to share. If you have a small family of three to four, a main dish and two sides are often enough. If you add extras, you will have plenty of delicious leftovers.
If you have a larger family or plenty of guests, it’s best to load up on the sides and showcase your medal, and have at least six to seven dishes on the table.
Soul Food Menu Planning Tips
- Don’t be afraid to ask for volunteers to prep entrees ahead of time.
- Consider trying one new recipe each year.
- Prioritize recipes that can be made ahead of time.
- Ask guests if they have any food allergies or special dietary needs.
- Always remember to relax and take a breathe.
More Soul Food Recipe Collections
Soul Food Thanksgiving Recipes
Soul Food Easter Recipes
Soul Food Cookout BBQ Recipes
The Best Soul Food Christmas Main Dishes
The main dishes include fried turkey, ham, roasted chicken and more!
This old-fashioned Southern Baked Ham with Pineapple is baked and drizzled with a honey and brown sugar glaze and topped with cherries. Serve this holiday ham for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any gathering.
This Gumbo is the best authentic Creole Cajun recipe with chicken, andouille sausage, seafood (shrimp and/or crab), and okra. This healthy dish is loaded with spices and can be served mild or spicy.
This Oxtail Recipe is made by cooking the oxtail low and slow until they are tender, juicy, and fall off the bone. The meat is seasoned with Jamaican spices and rubs or Southern Style with Creole Seasoning and drizzled in homemade gravy.
This Smothered Chicken Wings recipe is a Southern and soul food favorite. It’s the perfect comfort food meal for Sunday dinners, weeknight meals, holidays, and more. Tender juicy wings are served drizzled in well-seasoned onion gravy.
This Easy Smothered Steak recipe is made using sirloin or strip steaks drizzled in a homemade onion and green pepper gravy. This is the perfect comfort food meal!
This Easy Smoked Lobster Tail is cooked to perfection and drizzled in an Old Bay lemon garlic butter sauce. Whip these up using any smoker or Traeger electric pellet grill for holidays, weeknight dinners, or any occasion!
These Traeger Smoked Ribs are made easy using the 3-2-1 Cook Method. Grab your pork ribs: baby back, spare, or whatever you like! These are seasoned to perfection using a dry rub. This spread can be made with any smoker or pellet grill for BBQs, summer cookouts, or any occasion!
These Easy Southern Smothered Pork Chops are fried with seasoned, sauteed onions and then drizzled in thick, stewed gravy. Pair this soul food staple with potatoes or your favorite sides.
This Cajun Spiced Roasted Turkey uses a dry rub brine for crispy skin with a spicy kick! It’s also injected with butter and herbs to keep the bird tender, moist, and loaded with flavor.
This old-fashioned Easy Smothered Turkey Wings recipe is served with thick, creamy gravy and is traditionally served with rice. This is a baked Southern dish my family eats for Sunday dinners and soul food holiday meals.
Easy, One Pan Southern Smothered Chicken is a quick Southern recipe featuring seared and baked chicken thighs drizzled in brown gravy. This healthy dish is made with onions and spices all in a cast iron skillet.
This Crispy Baked Turkey Wings recipe will show you how to cook the best oven-roasted wings that will literally fall off the bone. This tender meat it a staple dish for any soul food spread.
These Oven Baked Crab Legs with Garlic Butter are made using Old Bay Seasoning and either snow crab legs or king crab legs. Baking them in the oven is so simple! They are ready in 25 minutes and easy to crack.
This Stuffed Turkey Legs recipe is partially inspired by the popular Turkey Leg Hut restaurant creations. These drumsticks are prepared to fall off the bone, all while loaded with cheesy, creamy mac and cheese or your favorite items.
These Slow Cooker Turkey Legs are made in the Crockpot and are perfect for fall-off the bone drumsticks. The drumsticks are tender and juicy. Serve these for Thanksgiving or any weeknight meal.
These Easy Air Fryer Turkey Legs are seasoned and roasted to perfection with crispy skin. Serve these for weeknight dinners or as main dish for the holidays and Thanksgiving!
Easy Air Fryer Turkey Breast is a quick recipe that uses a 3 to 4 pound (lb), bone-in or boneless breast. This air fried dish includes a tutorial for how to cook, how long to cook, and the perfect temperature. The turkey is so juicy it will fall off the bone like a tenderloin! Feel free to slice the breast up to make cutlets.
Air Fryer Honey Glazed Baked Ham is a quick and easy recipe that will show you how to make boneless or bone-in ham in the air fryer. You can even whip up country ham steaks. Serve these juicy slices for weeknight dinners or during the holidays and for Thanksgiving.
These Air Fryer Juicy Cornish Hens are cooked fresh or frozen with plenty of herbs and spices for full flavor. These mini rotisserie chickens are great for any dinner or holiday main dish.
The Best Soul Food Christmas Side Dishes (Southern Style)
These side dishes include mac and cheese, collard greens, candied yams and more! Perfect for any holiday spread.
Southern-style and baked to perfection! This pasta dish has a creamy interior with a crispy top layer crust.
These Easy Southern Style Green Beans are a staple old-fashioned side dish recipe. This homestyle dish is made with string beans and bacon for the perfect country meal. Add this to any soul food spread.
This Easy Southern Cornbread Dressing with chicken is the best old fashioned and homemade recipe from scratch. Drizzle it in gravy and serve it for Sunday dinners, Thanksgiving, or any occasion.
This Easy Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe is homemade from scratch and baked in the oven. From there, you drizzle the dish in a thick caramelized syrup. Your Sunday dinners and soul food holiday events just got much better!
This is the best Southern-style Creamy Mashed Potatoes recipe made with buttermilk. Pair this classic, old-fashioned dish with any soul food meal drizzled in homemade gravy.
These Easy Southern Collard Greens are the best, authentic soul food recipe using fresh collards, smoked turkey, ham hocks, or bacon. This signature dish is made from scratch and is typically served with Southern Cornbread for Sunday dinners, Thanksgiving, and the holiday season.
This Easy Lobster Macaroni and Cheese recipe is the best homemade side dish for any spread. This dish is made with a delicious cheese sauce, tender lobster, and baked to perfection for the ultimate crispy topping.
This Creamy Baked Seafood Mac and Cheese recipe is made with crab, shrimp, and macaroni pasta. This is the perfect, simple cheesy casserole to add to any spread. Add Old Bay Seasoning and Cajun spices for an additional kick in flavor!
This Seafood Dressing is a classic Southern side dish recipe made with cornbread and the Louisiana Holy Trinity vegetables including celery, green peppers, and onion. Load this with shrimp, crab, and even lobster! This is perfect for soul food dinners, Thanksgiving, or any gathering.
This Homemade Yellow Gravy Without Drippings is made from scratch, without Thanksgiving turkey or giblets meat juices. Use this make-ahead gravy for turkey, chicken, ham, mashed potatoes, and more!
This Easy Turkey Gravy From Drippings recipe is the best classic method for brown gravy from scratch. Save those extra juices from your pan and toss out the store-bought packets and jars.
These Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar are perfectly cooked and served whipped with cinnamon, butter, and nutmeg. Feel free to drizzle them with honey or maple syrup if you wish.
This Homemade Easy Southern Creamed Corn is made from scratch using fresh or frozen corn. This creamy dish is served sweet or savory, or even with a combination of both!
This Southern Cooked Cabbage Recipe is made on the stove using butter, bacon or sausage, and garlic for immense flavor. This is the best soul food dish to serve for weeknight meals, holidays, or Sunday dinners.
This Easy Grand Marnier Cranberry Sauce is homemade, sweetened with liquor (liqueur), and then sprinkled with orange zest. Switch up your normal sauce for this gourmet version!
This Easy Southern Mustard Greens Recipe is the best side dish for your soul food holidays and Sunday dinners. This dish is made with smoked turkey and loaded with flavor.
This Traditional Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows is baked to perfection with a pillowy soft and gooey topping. This makes the perfect dessert or side dish for Sunday dinners, Thanksgiving, or any holiday. Feel free to toss in pecans or any nuts you wish.
This Easy Scalloped Corn Recipe is a classic casserole dish made with creamy corn, crackers or breadcrumbs. Serve this side dish for Sunday dinners, Thanksgiving, or any of your favorite holidays.
Air Fryer Garlic Roasted Green Beans is a quick and easy recipe that is the perfect side dish for your weeknight dinner. You can also serve this keto dish, crispy or fried, and toss in crumbled bacon if you wish.
Easy Southern Fried Cabbage is the best, quick recipe for shredded and pan fried green cabbage. This post outlines how to fry cabbage using bacon and onions for flavor. This simple side dish is similar to a stir fry, making it perfect for weeknight dinners!
The Best Soul Food Cornbread Recipes
These dishes include classic, homemade, and Southern cornbread along with honey butter cornbread, and sweet potato biscuits.
Easy, Homemade Classic Southern Style Cornbread is the best, traditional cast iron skillet cornbread recipe made from scratch. This old fashioned, soul food staple is made with cornmeal and buttermilk and is served sweet or savory (with no sugar) and with a moist interior. Feel free to add corn or use the batter for muffins!
This Easy Homemade Cornbread Muffins recipe is made from scratch and is the best sweet or savory appetizer to add to your dinner spread. Serve these cornmeal muffins with warm butter.
This Homemade Sweet Potato Cornbread is made using a classic recipe with buttermilk, roasted sweet potatoes and drizzled in either maple butter or cinnamon honey butter. This is a must for any spread including Sunday Dinners, holidays, and Thanksgiving.
This Homemade Pumpkin Cornbread is the best quick and easy recipe perfect for fall. This dish is made with pure pumpkin, brown sugar or sweetener, and pie spice for amazing flavor.
This Homemade Blueberry Cornbread recipe is made using cornmeal, buttermilk, and fresh or frozen blueberries. This dish is served golden brown with a crispy crust and soft, moist center. You can turn these into muffins if you wish!
This Quick and Easy Honey Cornbread is homemade from scratch and is the best sweet and moist treat or side dish to add to any spread. It’s made in a cast-iron skillet with buttermilk and drizzled in warm butter.
Easy Keto Low-Carb Cornbread is a quick recipe that uses almond flour and just a handful of ingredients. Drizzle these homemade slices in warm butter. You can make corn bread muffins using the mix if you wish!
Air Fryer Cornbread is a quick and easy recipe for homemade, fried bread from scratch. These baked muffins are soft and moist, you will rush to slather them in butter! You can use Jiffy box mix if you wish.
This Easy Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread is savory, spicy, and homemade from scratch. It’s baked with crispy edges with a moist center. Feel free to add in creamed corn if you wish!
This Easy Homemade Cornbread Casserole is also known as a baked creamed corn casserole. This dish uses cornmeal to produce a sweet souffle similar to scalloped corn. This is the best for Thanksgiving, the holidays, and Sunday dinners.
The Best Christmas Soul Food Dessert Recipes
These Southern-style desserts include peach cobbler, sweet potato pie, banana pudding, apple pie and more!
This Healthy Southern Peach Cobbler Recipe is gluten-free and homemade from scratch. This old fashioned dish is made with a buttery flaky crust and gooey, juicy peaches. You can use frozen, canned, or fresh peaches for this recipe.
This Healthy Southern Sweet Potato Pie is the best homemade soul food recipe. This dish includes a homemade buttery, flaky crust from scratch, topped with creamy filling. This old fashioned dessert is a must for gatherings, Thanksgiving, and other holidays.
Easy, Layered Nilla Wafer Banana Pudding Trifle is a southern, creamy, and quick dessert filled with vanilla pudding, nilla wafers, and cool whip whipped cream. This dish is the perfect no-bake dessert. Serve it on your favorite holidays!
This Sugar-Free Apple Pie is homemade from scratch and the perfect dessert for any occasion. The filling is loaded with honey crisp apples and cinnamon and served on a buttery flaky crust. Top it with vanilla ice cream for a delicious treat!
Easy, Keto Low-Carb Pumpkin Pie is a sugar-free dessert recipe perfect for Thanksgiving and the holidays! This dish is gluten-free and prepared with an almond flour crust and pumpkin spice custard filling. You can even make it crustless for a more keto-friendly treat!
This Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie is the perfect cream pie dessert recipe. It’s old fashioned and made with natural peanut butter, cream cheese, and with an almond flour crust to lighten it up and make it healthy.
These Easy No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars are sugar-free and made with cream cheese filling loaded with Cool Whip or whipped topping, canned pumpkin, and a healthy graham cracker crust.
These Easy Salted Caramel Cheesecake Bars are the perfect no bake dessert with a graham cracker crust, drizzled with caramel sauce, and then sprinkled with flaky sea salt.
These Easy, Keto Low Carb Pumpkin Cookies are soft and chewy, made with pumpkin spice, almond flour, and topped with cream cheese icing or frosting. This sweet and sugar-free dessert treat is perfect for fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the holidays.
Low-Carb Sugar-Free Keto Cheesecake is a quick and easy ketogenic dessert recipe that is practically carb free and perfect for keto diets and a ketosis lifestyle. This is the best cheesecake recipe and has a delicious gluten-free almond flour crust. You can also prepare the recipe crustless with no crust.
Christmas Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
This collection includes casseroles, bacon, French toast, and more!
Low-Carb Keto Bacon, Egg, and Spinach Breakfast Casserole is the perfect quick and easy make-ahead, meal-prep dish with cheese, mushrooms, and peppers. This dish is keto friendly and perfect for keto diets. Serve this dish for your holiday breakfasts and brunch!
This Sweet Potato Oatmeal recipe is a healthy breakfast dish that has all of the flavors of classic, warm pie. Top this with pecans, granola, honey, maple syrup, or any of your favorite toppings.
Easy Air Fryer French Toast Sticks is a quick recipe for a sweet breakfast that everyone will love! These fried bites are also freezer friendly! Pop them in the air fryer and cook from frozen for a simple meal prep meal.
This Easy Pumpkin Crisp is a quick and healthy recipe made without cake mix and uses oatmeal, pureed canned pumpkin, and seasonal pumpkin spice. This dish is sugar-free and made without refined sugar. Serve this for dinner or dessert!
This Easy Healthy Sugar-Free Apple Crisp recipe is baked with Granny Smith apples and a crunchy topping, all with no refined sugar. This low-calorie dessert works well for breakfast, too!
This rivals Starbucks PSL, and it’s made with real pureed pumpkin along with pie spice for the perfect blend of flavor.
This Caramel Apple Spice Cider is a Starbucks Copycat recipe served hot and is made homemade from scratch with no apple juice. This drink is loaded with fall flavors like cinnamon and clove, then drizzled in whipped cream and caramel.
This Air Fryer Sweet Potato Hash is a quick and easy recipe perfect for breakfast. This dish is served with bold spice and cooked bacon. The potatoes are fried to perfection!
Easy, Crispy, and Perfect Air Fryer Bacon is a quick recipe that will show you how long to cook bacon in a Nuwave, Power Air Fryer, Gourmia, or any air fryer brand. Cooking bacon for breakfast is simple and it’s finished in 10 minutes and with no smoke! Pair it with a nice side of eggs.
Christmas Cocktails and Drink Recipes
The best collection of punch, mimosas, and martinis!
This Hennessy Margarita Recipe is made with simple ingredients. If you love cognac, you will love these Henny-Ritas! We love to make ours with strawberries, but you can make it classic too! Enjoy this cocktail on the rocks or frozen.
Easy Cranberry Mimosa is the perfect cranberry champagne cocktail. This mimosa with cranberry juice and sparkling wine will make the best holiday cocktail! Serve this drink by the pitcher or glass!
Pomegranate Holiday Mimosas are the perfect easy champagne cocktail for brunch, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, parties, and events.
Easy Peach Bellini Recipe is a quick cocktail that only uses a handful of ingredients including Prosecco sparkling wine and fresh or frozen peaches to make peach puree mix. I like to add vodka for an additional kick!
Combine sangria with a little sparkling wine or champagne!
Easy Keto Low-Carb Red Sangria Wine Cocktails are the best healthy, skinny drink perfect for summer or any event. This sugar-free drink is made with Spanish wine, Brandy, and club soda. You can swap in vodka if you wish. This drink is low-calorie and diabetic friendly.
Wine Filled Gummy Bears make the perfect treats for summer, holidays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, parties, and events. This how-to recipe is quick and easy! These alcohol filled candy gummies are made using jell-o. Serve them as jello-shots for gatherings!
This Classic Vodka Gimlet Cocktail is a drink recipe from scratch that can be served shaken or on the rocks with fresh lime and simple syrup. With only 139 calories you will want to add this clean drink to your rotation!
Keto Low-Carb Sugar-Free Lemon Drop Vodka Martini Cocktails is the best quick and easy, skinny drink recipe that is keto-friendly and approved. Grab your alcohol, fresh lemon, and favorite sweetener! This post includes a guide on how to order keto cocktails at the bar.
Alcohol Vodka Filled Gummy Bear Shots are the perfect drunken candy treat that has been molded and infused with liquor and alcohol, a great alternative to vodka soaked gummy bears. Perfect for Jell-O shots, parties, and events.
Easy Rum Punch Recipe is the best quick Jamaican Caribbean cocktail to whip up for a party. This recipe uses a handful of ingredients including coconut rum, dark rum, white rum, and pineapple juice. Double the recipe for a crowd and make it by the gallon!
Easy Jungle Juice Recipe is the best punch drink for a party crowd. The ingredients include alcohol like rum and vodka and then a mix of fresh fruit and juice. You can easily make this cocktail on a budget. Serve it for the SuperBowl, holidays, college parties, and more!