Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

National Country Cooking Month – June 2024

Hearty, warm, welcoming, and a bit of spice — country cooking brings out the best in food and a broad smile to those sharing it. This June, celebrate National Country Cooking Month and enjoy traditional southern comfort foods that conjure up memories of past cookouts.From grandpa’s gumbo and grits, to mom’s biscuits and gravy, to your own modern twist on a peach cobbler — savor the flavor with delicious country recipes while watching the summer sunset.

National Country Cooking Month timeline

​2002
Grits became a state food

​Georgia designated grits as the state's official prepared food.

​1914
Origins of chicken-fried steak

​The Oxford English Dictionary's earliest mention of the term "chicken-fried steak" came from a restaurant advertisement in the Colorado Springs Gazette newspaper.

​1859
The term "cobbler's" first mentioned

It may be related to the archaic word "cobeler," meaning “wooden bowl."

​1800s
​Gumbo means more than a food dish

​Gumbo is often used as a metaphor for the mix of cultures that exist in southern Louisiana, including people of French, Spanish, and African descent. Living together within a fairly small area fostered an environment that created new traditions and cuisine.

National Country Cooking Month Activities

  1. Make it personal

    Put your own spin on traditional recipes. Get your favorite country cooking or heirloom recipe — and update it with your personal cooking methods for new and exciting tastes.

  2. Make a recipe book

    Write favorite recipes down and make a small booklet just for yourself. At your next gathering, see what new recipes you “accidentally” created.

  3. Host a cookout outdoors

    Break out the grill, smoker, or just cook over an open fire. Step outside and add your own delectable aromas to nature’s already sweet smells.

​5 Facts That Will Get You Cooking Country Style

  1. ​Gumbo has versatile origins

    ​Gumbo is usually called a Cajun dish, but there are both Cajun and Creole varieties. Cajun refers to a group of people of French descent who migrated to Louisiana in the 18th century. Creole can refer to both people of mixed descent and those of French or Spanish descent born in the New World.

  2. ​Cornbread is older than our country

    ​Native Americans were using ground maize as a dietary staple for thousands of years before European explorers arrived on the continent. These settlers learned recipes and techniques for cooking with maize from various Native American tribes.

  3. ​Grits have a capital

    ​St. George, South Carolina claims to be the “Grits Capital of the World." The town annually consumes more pounds of grits per capita than anyplace else.

  4. ​Peach cobbler is an American twist on an English dish

    ​Cobblers originated in the American colonies. English settlers were unable to make traditional puddings due to lack of suitable ingredients and cooking equipment, so they covered the filling with a layer of uncooked plain biscuits or dumplings — fitted together.

  5. ​Biscuits and gravy were created due to tough circumstances

    ​This simple meal emerged as a distinct regional dish after the Revolutionary War when stocks of foodstuffs were in short supply.

Why We Love National Country Cooking Month

  1. Country cooking is hearty

    Cornbread. Chicken fried steak. Biscuits and gravy. Country cooking offers wholesome and filling dishes that leave everyone satisfied.

  2. Country cooking is personal

    Though country cooking certainly follows recipes, almost every dish has a personal twist. Country cooking has a habit of being unique to the server, and in this “tradition," you’ll find a pleasant surprise in every meal.

  3. Country cooking loves the outdoors

    Whether it’s barbecuing or just cooking over an open fire, country cooking is an event that embraces the outdoors. Enjoy as you fire up your meals among family and friends.

National Country Cooking Month dates

YearDateDay
2024June 1Saturday
2025June 1Sunday
2026June 1Monday
2027June 1Tuesday
2028June 1Thursday
International Clothesline Week
National CPR and AED Awareness Week
National Fishing and Boating Week
RSPCA Week
Step Parents Week
Volunteers' Week
Dare Day
Dinosaur Day
Don't Give up the Ship Day
Flip A Coin Day
Gawai Dayak
Global Day of Parents
Intergenerational Day
International Children's Day
International Tabletop Day
Madaraka Day
National Barefoot Day
National Billboard Day
National Black Bear Day
National Bubbly Day
National Hazelnut Cake Day
National Heimlich Maneuver Day
National Nail Polish Day
National Olive Day
National Pen Pal Day
National Prairie Day
National Roman Day
National Skincare Education Day
National Trails Day
New Year's Resolution Recommitment Day
Oscar the Grouch Day
Samoa Independence Day
Say Something Nice Day
Stand For Children Day
Statehood Day in Kentucky
Statehood Day in Tennessee
The Big Lunch
Wear a Dress Day
World Milk Day
World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day
World Outlander Day
World Reef Awareness Day
African American Appreciation Month
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Awareness Month
Aphasia Awareness Month
Audiobook Month
Beautiful in Your Skin Month
Black Lives Matter Month
Black Music Month
Cancer from the Sun Month
Caribbean-American Heritage Month
Cataract Awareness Month
Celibacy Awareness Month
Child Vision Awareness Month
Children's Awareness Month
CMV Awareness Month
Cucumber Month
Effective Communications Month
Entrepreneurs "Do it Yourself" Marketing Month
Fight the Filthy Fly Month
Fireworks Eye Safety Month
Fireworks Safety Month
Georgia Blueberry Month
Great Outdoors Month
Infertility Awareness Month
International Surf Music Month
Lane Courtesy Month
Mango Month
Men's Health Month
Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month
National Accordion Awareness Month
National Adopt A Cat Month
National Camping Month
National Candy Month
National Country Cooking Month
National Dairy Month
National DJ Month
National Foster a Pet Month
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
National Frozen Yogurt Month
National Give a Bunch of Balloons Month
National Homeownership Month
National Iced Tea Month
National Lemon Month
National Microchipping Month
National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month
National Oceans Month
National Osteoporosis Month
National Pet Preparedness Month
National Pollinator Month
National PTSD Awareness Month
National Rivers Month
National Rose Month
National Safety Month
National Scoliosis Awareness Month
National Soul Food Month
National Steakhouse Month
National Zoo and Aquarium Month
Oral Health Month
Perennial Gardening Month
Pharmacists Declare War on Alcoholism Month
Pluot & Aprium Month
Potty Training Awareness Month
Pride Month
Pride Month
Professional Wellness Month
Rebuild Your Life Month
Scleroderma Awareness Month
Skyscraper Month
Social Petworking Month
Sports America Kids Month
Turkey Lovers Month
Vision Research Month
We Advocate Time Consciousness and Honesty
Women’s Golf Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.