25 Black History Month Recipes You’ll Regret Not Trying

Celebrate Black History Month with this collection of flavorful recipes. It includes hearty gumbos, soups, meat pies, and rice dishes!

Food is a powerful medium that brings people together and tells stories of traditions, resilience, and community.

By preparing these meals, you’re not just enjoying delicious food but also paying tribute to the creativity and contributions of African-American communities.

It offers a personal way to connect with history and share these meaningful experiences with others.

Nigerian Fried Rice

Look at how vibrant and festive Nigerian fried rice is! It’s a staple at Nigerian celebrations.

It comes with chicken wings, tomatoes, red bell peppers, curry powder, and chicken broth. Serve it hot with other classic favorites.

Get The Recipe: Nigerian Fried Rice

Nigerian Jollof Rice

Jollof rice, Nigeria’s party rice, is commonly enjoyed with chicken, beef, or fish, making it a versatile and filling meal.

It’s easy to make, rich, smoky, and delicious! Feel free to customize it with your favorite proteins and veggies.

Get The Recipe: Nigerian Jollof Rice

Skillet Bacon Mac And Cheese

This mac and cheese version is prepared in a single skillet! It simplifies the cooking process while enhancing the classic flavor with a smoky twist.

The texture is creamy and smooth, with a satisfying chew from the bacon. You can make this dish in 35 minutes.

Get The Recipe: Skillet Bacon Mac And Cheese

Black Eyed Peas Akara

Akara, a Nigerian street food, is a delightful snack made from black-eyed peas.

It’s savory and a bit spicy, with a crunchy exterior and soft interior. Serve it with white bread or garri for a more satisfying snack.

Get The Recipe: Black Eyed Peas Akara

Ghanaian Meat Pie

This Ghanaian meat pie features a rich beef filling encased in a wonderfully flaky pastry.

The filling, made from ground beef, onions, and green peppers, is seasoned with tomato puree and spices. The flaky crust adds a fun texture contrast – each bite is so satisfying and delicious.

Get The Recipe: Ghanaian Meat Pie

Nigerian Meat Pie

This savory pie is a beloved snack in Nigeria. It has a buttery, flaky shortcrust pastry filled with ground beef and vegetable filling.

The filling includes carrots, potatoes, and spices, creating a rich and hearty flavor. It’s small and shareable, so you can enjoy it anytime!

Get The Recipe: Nigerian Meat Pie

Nigerian Okra Soup

Nigerian okra soup, traditionally known as Ila-Alasepo, is characterized by its thick texture and rich flavors.

The soup’s main ingredients include fresh okra, bell peppers, spinach, assorted meats, and a variety of spices. It’s a hearty and wholesome meal that will make you love okra even more.

Get The Recipe: Nigerian Okra Soup

Nigerian Moin Moin (Moi Moi)

This traditional Nigerian steamed bean pudding, known as Moi Moi, is a meaningful addition to any Black History Month celebration.

It’s savory and slightly spicy, with black-eyed peas, hard-boiled egg, red bell pepper, and crayfish. It’s soft and spongy yet firm enough to hold its shape.

Get The Recipe: Nigerian Moin Moin (Moi Moi)

Nigerian Pepper Soup

This Nigerian pepper soup is a standout dish for Black History Month. It has a rich, broth-like consistency, offering a balance of spiciness and savory flavors.

To make it, you need goat meat, crayfish, seasoning powder, pepper soup spice and a few other ingredients.

Get The Recipe: Nigerian Pepper Soup

Nigerian Chicken Stew

This stew is a celebration of Nigerian flavors, blending chicken with a rich, spicy tomato base.

It’s savory, tangy, and spicy, with chicken wings, tomatoes, bell pepper, and curry powder. Pair it with rice, pasta, or bread for a more satisfying meal.

Get The Recipe: Nigerian Chicken Stew

Nigerian Puff Puff

Nigerian puff puffs are known for their simplicity and deliciousness. They’re made with basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and yeast, resulting in a light and airy texture.

These little golden treats are sweet and slightly chewy, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth.

Get The Recipe: Nigerian Puff Puff

Vegan Baked Beans

Here’s a delicious vegan twist on the classic baked beans.

Key ingredients include Great Northern Beans, smoked paprika, and a mix of tomato paste, vegan Worcestershire sauce, and maple syrup for a rich sauce. It’s a comforting side everyone will enjoy.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Baked Beans

Jamaican Rice and Peas

Bring Jamaican flavors to your table for Black History Month. This dish includes red kidney beans, coconut milk, rice, herbs, and spices.

It pairs well with jerk chicken, corned beef brisket, and other hearty meals. You need several hours to make this, but it’s totally worth it.

Get The Recipe: Jamaican Rice and Peas

Oxtail Stew

This oxtail stew is perfect for a cozy family dinner. The cooking process is simple yet requires patience, as slow cooking ensures the meat becomes tender and flavorful.

It involves seasoning the beef oxtails with salt and pepper and then searing them to add color and flavor.

Get The Recipe: Oxtail Stew

Black Eyed Peas with Collard Greens

This comfort dish combines the earthy flavors of black-eyed peas with the nutritious goodness of collard greens.

To make it, sauté the onions and garlic, then add collards until they are wilted. The heart of the meal comes from adding ham, broth, salt, and pepper, simmered together to infuse flavors.

Get The Recipe: Black Eyed Peas with Collard Greens

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Jamaican dishes are great for Black History Month celebrations and other occasions.

This one features chicken legs seasoned with a blend of spices, including allspice, ginger, cloves, and cayenne. You can make them ahead of time and just store them in the freezer.

Get The Recipe: Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Graham Cracker Crust Sweet Potato Pie

Ready for a new spin on the classic sweet potato pie?

This wonderful recipe uses graham cracker crust for an added hint of honey and cinnamon flavor. Feel free to tweak it – add more spices or make it gluten-free.

Get The Recipe: Graham Cracker Crust Sweet Potato Pie

Collard Greens

These collard greens have earthy and slightly bitter flavors, wonderfully complemented by the smokiness of bacon.

Main ingredients include collard greens, bacon, and a hint of apple cider vinegar and maple syrup for a subtle sweetness. Serve them alongside a hearty main dish like pork chops.

Get The Recipe: Collard Greens

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

These drumsticks are a must-try for a quick and flavorful meal.

Cooked to perfection in an air fryer, they offer a crispy exterior while remaining juicy inside. The sweet and smoky BBQ sauce adds a finger-licking good flavor that’s hard to resist.

Get The Recipe: Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Southern Vegan Banana Pudding

This dessert reimagines the classic Southern banana pudding in a vegan, gluten-free form.

It includes ripe bananas, coconut milk, and homemade gluten-free vanilla wafers, resulting in a creamy and slightly crunchy texture. Serve it chilled for a refreshing treat.

Get The Recipe: Southern Vegan Banana Pudding

Crispy Oven Okra with Lemon-Dill and Garlic Aioli

This crispy oven okra dish features a crunchy and satisfying texture, contrasting beautifully with the tangy lemon-dill and garlic aioli.

You only need fresh okra, a mix of spices, and a homemade aioli sauce. Serve it fresh out of the oven as a side dish or appetizer.

Get The Recipe: Crispy Oven Okra with Lemon-Dill and Garlic Aioli

Jamaican Beef Patties

These patties are brimming with authentic Jamaican flavors with their spicy beef filling and flaky pastry.

The beef is seasoned with a mix of aromatic spices, creating a warm, savory taste. Enjoy them with rice, peas, or a simple salad.

Get The Recipe: Jamaican Beef Patties

Southern Fried Catfish

This Southern classic is known for its crispy, golden coating, and tender, flaky fish inside.

Key ingredients include catfish fillets, cornmeal, and a blend of spices that bring a comforting flavor. Serve it hot from the skillet and pair it with coleslaw or hush puppies.

Get The Recipe: Southern Fried Catfish

Seafood, Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

This gumbo is a soul-warming stew showcasing a blend of savory, smoky, and slightly spicy flavors.

It’s thick, velvety, and incredibly delicious, with andouille sausage, chicken, okra, and a rich roux. This dish comes together in just two hours!

Get The Recipe: Seafood, Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Okra Gumbo

Okra gumbo is a deliciously thick and flavorful dish, blending the unique texture of okra with a medley of vegetables and spices.

It’s one of the most iconic dishes you can prepare to honor Black History Month. You’ll discover new flavors and a greater love for okra!

Get The Recipe: Okra Gumbo

Have fun preparing these meals! Many of these dishes are known for their rich and robust flavors, so don’t hesitate to use spices like paprika or cayenne pepper.

Start with small amounts and taste as you go. Most importantly, enjoy the process!

Cooking is as much about the journey as it is about the delicious results.