25 Soulfood Sunday Dinner Ideas That Will Impress Everyone

Gather your loved ones and enjoy these soulfood Sunday dinner ideas. From appetizers to main dishes, these recipes will bring warmth and flavor to your table.

Soul food dishes are heartwarming meals that are deeply tied to a sense of community and family heritage.

They are known for their hearty portions, generous use of seasonings and amazing flavors!

Here are some of the heartiest, most delicious ones you can prepare for your loved ones this weekend.

Slow Cooker Hoppin John

This slow cooker Hoppin’ John is a blend of black-eyed peas, rice, and smoked sausage.

The flavors meld together over hours, creating a hearty meal with a pleasingly soft yet firm texture. Serve it hot with collard greens or cornbread.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Hoppin John

Skillet Bacon Mac and Cheese

Tired of the usual mac and cheese recipe? This time, cook it in a skillet. This one features cheesy macaroni with crispy bits of bacon, all cooked in one skillet for ultimate convenience.

Combining sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack cheese, and bacon brings a super indulgent flavor.

Get The Recipe: Skillet Bacon Mac and Cheese

Crockpot Black Eyed Peas

This dish is a soul food staple and can undoubtedly bring comfort to your family dinner table.

The black-eyed peas simmer slowly in the crockpot, absorbing the flavors of smoked meat, onions, and spices. The result? A rich, savory taste with a creamy texture.

Get The Recipe: Crockpot Black Eyed Peas

Stove Top Lasagna Soup

This stove top lasagna recipe is a deconstructed take on classic lasagna. It basically transforms the classic favorite into a warm, comforting soup.

It offers the familiar flavors of lasagna – rich tomato sauce, ground meat, and herbs – in a broth-based form with tender pasta.

Get The Recipe: Stove Top Lasagna Soup

Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie

Making shepherd’s pie can be so complicated for newbies. Thankfully, there’s a crockpot version that makes everything easier.

This recipe is a fuss-free version with ground meat, veggies, and a creamy mashed potato topping. It’s soft and creamy, with a slight crispiness from the potato topping.

Get The Recipe: Crockpot Shepherd’s Pie

Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pies are classic choices for soul food Sundays. This recipe is one of the easiest and most delicious versions you can try.

It comes together in less than one hour and requires only simple ingredients like frozen mixed veggies, rotisserie chicken, and milk.

Get The Recipe: Dutch Oven Chicken Pot Pie

Red Velvet Waffles and Chicken

Waffles and chicken are not just for breakfast; they can also be enjoyed as a delicious dinner with the family.

What makes these recipes extra special? They teach you how to make the delicious red velvet waffle flavor and perfectly seasoned, crispy fried chicken wings.

Get The Recipe: Red Velvet Waffles and Chicken

Deviled Eggs with Relish

These deviled eggs are perfect for soul food Sunday dinners and other special occasions.

It’s doable in 30 minutes, with just nine simple ingredients including mayo, yellow mustard, and sweet relish. The relish adds a nice pop of flavor and texture.

Get The Recipe: Deviled Eggs with Relish

Vegan Fried Chicken

This innovative dish offers all the savory flavors of traditional fried chicken but in a vegan form.

It uses plant-based ingredients to achieve a crispy exterior and a juicy interior. Serve it with classic sides like mashed potatoes or coleslaw.

Get The Recipe: Vegan Fried Chicken

Southern Collard Greens

Collard greens are a quintessential part of soul food cuisine.

They are simmered slowly with ham hocks, onions, and garlic, resulting in a flavorful meal. Pair them with other soul food classics like fried chicken or cornbread.

Get The Recipe: Southern Collard Greens

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Looking for the tastiest freezer-friendly soul food dinner ideas? This recipe takes a slow and low approach to create tender pulled pork.

The homemade BBQ sauce adds a sweet and tangy flavor, complementing the pork’s texture. Make a huge batch for the fam and store it in the freezer for up to three months.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Homemade BBQ Sauce

Sweet Potato Cornbread

Sweet potatoes are some of the most versatile veggies ever! Use them to make the most mouthwatering cornbread to impress your loved ones.

This recipe results in a tender, slightly sweet bread with a golden crust. Serve it warm with butter or as a side to any soul food dish.

Get The Recipe: Sweet Potato Cornbread

Authentic Louisiana Creole Gumbo

This authentic Creole gumbo features smoked sausage, shrimp, tomatoes, okra, herbs, and seasonings.

It’s thickened with a roux and okra, giving it a distinctive texture. Serve it over a bed of rice and garnish with green onions for a satisfying meal!

Get The Recipe: Authentic Louisiana Creole Gumbo

Southern Green Beans

Transform the humble green bean into a flavor-packed side! Just cook the bacon and onions, then add the green beans and broth, simmering until the beans reach the desired tenderness.

This dish is a must-have at any Sunday dinner for its simplicity and rich flavors.

Get The Recipe: Southern Green Beans

Red Beans and Rice with Sausage

This dish is an excellent option if you’re looking to prepare a large batch to feed a crowd.

It involves simmering the beans and sausage with spices until everything is tender and flavorful, then serving it over rice. You can freeze the leftovers for up to three months.

Get The Recipe: Red Beans and Rice with Sausage

Curry Oxtail

This Jamaican-inspired meal presents a rich twist on traditional oxtails. It features oxtails, curry powder, coconut milk, carrots, ginger and potatoes.

Pair it with rice or bread for a flavor-packed meal that brings a taste of the Caribbean to your Sunday dinner table.

Get The Recipe: Curry Oxtail

Southern Fried Cabbage with Sausage

Sunday dinner is not complete without fried cabbages and sausage!

To make this, you only need five ingredients: smoked turkey sausage, green cabbage, olive oil, pepper, and salt. Like other soul food ideas, it’s easy, comforting, and delicious!

Get The Recipe: Southern Fried Cabbage with Sausage

Air Fryer Hush Puppies

Make hush puppies in your air fryer! These hush puppies are a delightful mix of cornmeal and spices, with a hint of sweetness and a moist interior.

Serve them as an appetizer or side, ideally with a dipping sauce or alongside a seafood dish.

Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Hush Puppies

Southern Chicken and Dumplings

This dish is a true Southern comfort food featuring tender chicken and pillowy dumplings in a savory broth.

Key ingredients include chicken, vegetables, and a simple dumpling dough. It’s best served steaming hot, directly from the pot.

Get The Recipe: Southern Chicken and Dumplings

Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Casseroles are a good choice for gatherings because they are shareable and easy to make!

This one combines the smooth texture of grits with succulent, spiced shrimp. Serve it as a main dish and pair them with steamed greens.

Get The Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Casserole

Fried Okra

Fried okra is a classic Southern side dish known for its crispy exterior and slightly gooey interior.

The okra has a unique, grassy flavor that is beautifully enhanced when fried. Serve it as a side dish with your main course or as a snack with a dipping sauce.

Get The Recipe: Fried Okra

Whole Wheat Cornbread

This version of cornbread brings a wholesome twist with the use of whole wheat flour. It has a dense, moist texture with a sweet and nutty flavor.

This recipe makes eight delicious slices with only a handful of pantry ingredients like honey, baking powder, and cornmeal.

Get The Recipe: Whole Wheat Cornbread

Air Fryer Catfish

This dish features gluten-free all-purpose flour, Panko breadcrumbs, eggs, and some seasonings. The taste is mildly sweet and earthy, typical of catfish.

It’s a soul food Sunday favorite for its lighter approach to a traditional favorite, allowing everyone to indulge without guilt.

Get The Recipe: Air Fryer Catfish

Gumbo Soup

Gumbo soup is a rich, flavorful stew that’s a staple in Southern cuisine. Looking for an easy yet delicious option?

This recipe includes andouille sausage, chicken tenderloins, shrimp, chicken broth, and a few other ingredients.

Get The Recipe: Gumbo Soup

Fried Oyster Mushrooms

This vegan-friendly meal offers a unique take on fried food, using oyster mushrooms for their meaty texture.

The mushrooms have a savory, umami flavor that’s enhanced by the seasoned batter. Serve them as an appetizer or side, with lemon wedges or a dipping sauce.

Get The Recipe: Fried Oyster Mushrooms

Soul food is all about heart, flavor, and tradition. Is it your first time to prepare soul food meals for your family? Don’t shy away from seasonings.

Soul food is known for its robust flavors, so use herbs and spices generously. Also, take your time with the cooking.

Many dishes, like stews and braised meats, develop richer flavors when cooked slowly.