25 Soul Food Sides That Complete Any Meal

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These soul food sides bring together comforting flavors, classic ingredients, and dishes that belong on the table with any meal. Whether you’re cooking for a holiday or Sunday dinner side these recipes fit right in.

Soul Food Sides
Soul Food Sides. Slow Cooker Collard Greens. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

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From creamy favorites to hearty vegetables and southern favorites, these soul food sides will make any dinner extra special.

Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese

CRACKER BARREL MAC AND CHEESE BY FOOD PLUS WORDS
CRACKER BARREL MAC AND CHEESE. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

This mac and cheese is rich, creamy, and loaded with classic cheddar flavor. It’s always a side that everyone loves with their dinner.

Get The Recipe: Cracker Barrel Mac and Cheese

Crockpot Green Bean Casserole

step 7b crockpot green bean casserole
Crockpot Green Bean Casserole. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Tender green beans cook low and slow and are topped with crispy onions. This crockpot version keeps everything simple for a comforting side dish.

Get The Recipe: Crockpot Green Bean Casserole

Best Deviled Eggs with Relish

step 5 Deviled Eggs with Relish
Best Deviled Eggs with Relish. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

These deviled eggs are creamy, tangy, and packed with just the right amount of flavor from sweet relish. They’re a must for holiday tables and family gatherings.

Get The Recipe: Best Deviled Eggs with Relish

Crockpot Black Eyed Peas

Black eyed peas on a plate next to a slow cooker.
CROCKPOT BLACK EYED PEAS. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

Slow cooked black eyed peas simmer with savory seasoning until perfectly tender. This is a classic soul food side that pairs well with just about everything.

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Tik Tok Mac and Cheese

tik tok mac and cheese
Tik Tok Mac and Cheese. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

A family favorite, this mac and cheese adds flavor to your soul food dinners. This viral version is easy to make at home.

Get The Recipe: Tik Tok Mac and Cheese

Easy Sweet Potato Bites

How To Store Marshmallow Pecan Sweet Potato Bites
Easy Sweet Potato Bites. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

These sweet potato bites are roasted until tender with lightly caramelized edges. They bring natural sweetness and color to any soul food spread.

Get The Recipe: Easy Sweet Potato Bites

Southern Candied Yams

Southern Candied Yams
Southern Candied Yams. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Soft sweet potatoes are coated in a buttery brown sugar glaze with warm spices. This dish brings sweetness and classic Southern flavor to the table.

Get The Recipe: Southern Candied Yams

Easy Traditional Stuffing

Traditional Stuffing Recipe
Easy Traditional Stuffing. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

This stuffing is loaded with buttery bread, savory herbs, and onion flavor. It’s a comforting side that works well with any dinner.

Get The Recipe: Easy Traditional Stuffing

Viral Dense Bean Salad

Dense Bean Salad
Viral Dense Bean Salad. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

This hearty bean salad is packed with veggies, seasoning, and plenty of protein. It’s a delicious addition to your soul food sides.

Get The Recipe: Viral Dense Bean Salad

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

step 5 Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Creamy pasta salad meets sharp dill pickle flavor in every bite. It’s tangy, easy to make, and a fun switch from traditional pasta salads.

Get The Recipe: Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

Easy Celery Salad

step 4 celery salad
Easy Celery Salad. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Crisp celery is tossed with a light dressing and simple seasonings. This salad adds crunch and freshness to the table.

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Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Bacon and Ranch Pasta Salad
BACON RANCH PASTA SALAD. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

This pasta salad combines smoky bacon with creamy ranch dressing and tender pasta. It’s rich, savory, and always a crowd favorite.

Get The Recipe: Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

Gluten Free Stuffed Mushrooms

A plate of stuffed mushrooms being drizzled with olive oil.
GLUTEN-FREE STUFFED MUSHROOMS. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

These mushrooms are filled with a flavorful, savory stuffing and baked until golden. They make a great bite-sized addition to any dinner.

Get The Recipe: Gluten Free Stuffed Mushrooms

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Buttery Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes
Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

These make ahead mashed potatoes reheat easily and help make dinner easy. You’ll love the fluffy buttery potato side.

Get The Recipe: Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Creamy Pumpkin And Sage Pasta

Creamy Pumpkin And Sage Pasta by Food Plus Words
CREAMY PUMPKIN AND SAGE PASTA. PHOTO CREDIT: FOOD PLUS WORDS.

This pasta features a smooth pumpkin sauce with earthy sage flavor. It’s cozy, rich, and delicious paired with your main dish.

Get The Recipe: Creamy Pumpkin And Sage Pasta

Nigerian Jollof Rice

kwanzaa recipes
Nigerian Jollof Rice. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Jollof rice is packed with spice and tomato flavor. It brings a ton of flavor any dinner idea and comes together easily.

Get The Recipe: Nigerian Jollof Rice

Cracker Barrel Squash Casserole

A pink dish with a squash casserole
Cracker Barrel Squash Casserole. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Tender squash bakes in a creamy, cheesy mixture with a golden topping. This casserole is rich, comforting, and perfect for sharing.

Get The Recipe: Cracker Barrel Squash Casserole

Easy Vegan Baked Beans

Easy Vegan Baked Beans HFHL
Easy Vegan Baked Beans. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

These baked beans simmer in a sweet and savory sauce without any meat or dairy. They’re a classic side dish everyone loves.

Get The Recipe: Easy Vegan Baked Beans

No Boil Mashed Potatoes

Close-up of creamy mashed potatoes in a speckled bowl, garnished with black pepper and fresh thyme leaves. A dollop of butter melts on top, making it the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving side dishes.
No-Boil Vegan Mashed Potatoes. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

These mashed potatoes skip the boiling step to make it easier giving you more time to enjoy family and celebrations.

Get The Recipe: No Boil Mashed Potatoes

Vegan Mushroom Stuffing

A baking dish filled with golden-brown bread stuffing mixed with celery and onions, with a serving spoon on the side.
Vegan Stuffing with Mushrooms. Photo Credit: Happy Food Healthy Life

A hearty herb and mushroom filled stuffing that’s perfect for serving next to your main dish, this stuffing is sure to be a hit.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Mushroom Stuffing

Instant Pot Black Eyed Peas

A bowl of black-eyed peas with broth, garnished with a lemon slice and herbs, evokes the warmth of a Kwanzaa Feast. It's served with pieces of crusty bread and a spoon on the side.
INSTANT POT BLACK EYED PEAS. PHOTO CREDIT: HAPPY FOOD HEALTHY LIFE

These black eyed peas cook quickly in the instant pot to give you a tender and flavorful side dish to pair with your meal.

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Slow Cooker Collard Greens

Slow Cooker Collard Greens by The Short Order Cook
Slow Cooker Collard Greens. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Collard greens cook down until tender with savory seasoning throughout. This slow cooker version delivers classic Southern flavor in an easy way.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Collard Greens

Creamed Corn

Creamed Corn by The Frugal Girls
Creamed Corn. Photo Credit: Food Plus Words

Sweet corn simmers in a creamy sauce until thick and comforting. It’s simple, rich, and always welcome on a table full of comfort food.

Get The Recipe: Creamed Corn

Honey Sourdough Cornbread

Honey Sourdough Cornbread by Plum Branch Home
Honey Sourdough Cornbread. Photo Credit: Plum Branch Home

This cornbread has a slight tang from sourdough and a touch of honey sweetness. It bakes up moist with a golden crust.

Get The Recipe: Honey Sourdough Cornbread

Air Fried Okra

Air Fried Okra by Joyful Balance
Air Fried Okra. Photo Credit: Joyful Balance

Okra cooks until crisp on the outside and tender inside using the air fryer. It’s a lighter take on a Southern classic without sacrificing flavor.

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These soul food sides are here to help complete any meal and create a delicious spread that the family will want to dig into.

25 Soul Food Birthday Dinner Recipes That Will Make You Feel Like Royalty

Five pieces of breaded and cooked chicken, reminiscent of classic soul food, are arranged on a white oval plate.
Soul Food Birthday Dinner. Southern Fried Pork Chops And Gravy. Photo Credit: Recipes From A Pantry

Celebrate and feel like royalty with these delicious soul food birthday dinner recipes. From classics to new soul food favorites, this collection has a little bit of everything.

Read it here: 25 Soul Food Birthday Dinner Recipes That Will Make You Feel Like Royalty

25 Southern Soul Food Recipes That Taste Like Home

Southern Soul Food Recipes
Southern Soul Food Recipes Collard Greens. Photo Credit: The Forked Spoon

Bring everyone together with these southern soul food recipes. Whether you’re hosting a holiday meal or just sitting down for a relaxing Sunday family gathering, these dishes are delicious.

Read it here: 25 Southern Soul Food Recipes That Taste Like Home

Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!

A woman in a kitchen writes on a notepad beside a grocery bag with a Walmart logo and various groceries on the counter.
Photo Credit: La Passion Voutee.

Is the new Walmart Plus worth the annual fee or is it just another failed version of Amazon Prime? I spent my own money trying this service out for 12 months and counting. I have a lot to say about the benefits and drawbacks in this Walmart+ honest review.

Read it here: Is Walmart+ Worth It? Honest Review 3 Years Later!

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