- Categories:
- Food & Beverage
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- CookingFamilyFood
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every June
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- 🍲
National Soul Food Month celebrates a cuisine deeply rooted in African-American history and culture throughout June. This month invites us to explore the flavors, techniques, and stories behind dishes like collard greens, fried chicken, and macaroni and cheese. Gather your family, try a new recipe, and support local Black-owned restaurants to honor this vibrant tradition.
Want to sponsor National Soul Food Month? Learn how
Expected National Soul Food Month Deals
Throughout National Soul Food Month in June, expect restaurants specializing in Southern and soul food cuisine to offer special menus, tasting events, and discounts. Large grocery chains like Kroger and Publix may feature sales on staple ingredients such as collard greens, cornmeal, and smoked meats. Brands like McCormick and Louisiana Fish Fry Products often run promotions on their spices and mixes. Look for local food festivals and community cookouts celebrating soul food heritage. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as June approaches.
Platform Guide for National Soul Food Month
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalSoulFoodMonth. Share short videos of your favorite soul food recipes or local restaurant finds.
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalSoulFoodMonth. Post mouth-watering photos of your soul food creations or dining experiences.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalSoulFoodMonth. Share stories about your family’s soul food traditions or local community events.
National Soul Food Month Hero
Edna Lewis
National Soul Food Month timeline
The Culinary Historians of Chicago sponsored the first National Soul Food Month.
The term "soul food" attainted greater status after Alex Haley recorded Malcolm X’s life story. Soul food restaurants served as a place where people socialized and ate together.
Scottish immigrants had a tradition of deep frying chicken in fat. Many West African dishes were also made with chicken that was fried in palm oil.
West African slaves who came to America brought okra with them. It quickly became a popular item served with rice, or in gumbo.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Soul Food Month
Local restaurants and food trucks can honor National Soul Food Month by featuring special menus, hosting tasting events, or collaborating with guest chefs. Grocery stores can create dedicated displays for soul food ingredients and offer recipe cards. Community centers might organize cooking classes or storytelling sessions focused on the history and cultural significance of soul food. Businesses can also highlight Black-owned food businesses in their area, encouraging patronage and celebrating entrepreneurship.
National Soul Food Month FAQs
When is National Soul Food Month?
National Soul Food Month runs throughout June 2026, celebrating the rich culinary heritage of African-American cuisine. It’s a full month dedicated to enjoying traditional dishes and understanding their cultural significance.
What is the origin of soul food?
Soul food originated in the humble kitchens of enslaved African Americans, who adapted available ingredients to create nourishing and flavorful meals. It evolved from West African culinary traditions combined with ingredients found in the American South, reflecting resilience and resourcefulness.
What are some classic soul food dishes?
Classic soul food dishes include staples like fried chicken, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, black-eyed peas, and candied yams. These dishes are often prepared with rich flavors and served as comforting, communal meals.
Is soul food healthy?
Traditional soul food, while delicious and comforting, can be high in fat, sodium, and calories due to cooking methods like frying and the use of ingredients like pork fat. However, many contemporary chefs are adapting recipes to be healthier while retaining authentic flavors.
National Soul Food Month Activities
Eat at a soul food restaurant
Look up a well-reviewed restaurant in your area. We're pretty sure you will love the food!
Make some soul food for the whole family
Take your pick — smothered pork chops, fried chicken, boiled cabbage, southern potato salad, stuffed peppers, or peach cobbler. The list goes on and on.
Support soul food businesses
You can play a part in ensuring that African-American food traditions have a future.
4 Heartwarming Soul Food Facts
Humble beginnings
Cooks used their skills to turn cheap and unappealing cuts of meat into delicious meals.
All hail kale
We only recently recognized kale as a "super food." Soul food has depended on it for ages.
"Red" is a flavor
In a soul food restaurant, "red" means a drink — strawberry, cherry or tropical punch. No explanation required.
It is also for the vegan soul
Soul cuisine has embraced many vegan recipes that are spicy, healthy, and delicious! Historically, chefs used seasonal vegetables to cook dishes — with meat thrown in mainly for flavoring.
Why We Love National Soul Food Month
It keeps a culinary heritage alive
Even today dishes such as chitterlings, cornbread, and grits are cooked the traditional way. These recipes were handed down from generation to generation.
It celebrates the history behind the food
History almost always gets recorded in food. National Soul Food Month celebrates the origins of this special cuisine.
It reminds us to cook with love
Soul food does indeed have a "soul." It's food that is cooked from the heart to feed the whole family. We can all learn something from that.
Social Media Tips for National Soul Food Month
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