Embrace the vibrant flavors and cherished traditions of Southern soul food this Easter with this amazing array of recipes that celebrate the essence of the season. From succulent main courses, breakfast, and brunch to irresistible sides and desserts, all of these dishes embody warmth, hospitality, and time-honored family gatherings.
Get ready to elevate your Easter table with a feast that honors tradition and delights the senses, creating cherished memories with every bite.
How to Plan and Host Easter Dinner
- Set the Date and Time: Determine the date and time for your Easter dinner. Consider whether you’ll host it on Easter Sunday or another day over the Easter weekend.
- Create the Guest List: Decide who you’ll invite to your holiday dinner. Consider family members, close friends, or neighbors who might enjoy joining you for the celebration.
- Choose the Menu:
- Plan the main course: Decide on the centerpiece of your meal, whether it’s ham, beef, turkey, or another favorite dish.
- Select side dishes: Choose a variety of side dishes to complement the main course, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, salads, and dinner rolls.
- Don’t forget dessert: Plan a delicious dessert to end the meal on a sweet note, such as sweet potato pie, lemon cake, or ambrosia salad.
- Consider dietary restrictions: Take into account any dietary restrictions or preferences of your guests when planning the menu.
- Make a Shopping List: Once you’ve decided on the menu, create a shopping list of all the ingredients you’ll need. Check your pantry and refrigerator to see what items you already have on hand.
- Prepare a Cooking Schedule: Plan out when you’ll prepare each dish to ensure everything is ready at the same time. Consider which dishes can be made ahead of time and which need to be cooked just before serving.
- Decorate the Table: Set the table with your finest dinnerware, tablecloth, and decorations. Consider adding Easter-themed decorations such as fresh flowers, colorful napkins, or Easter eggs for a festive touch.
- Gather Cooking Equipment: Make sure you have all the necessary cooking equipment and utensils for preparing the meal. This may include pots, pans, baking dishes, serving platters, and utensils.
- Prepare Ahead of Time: Complete any prep work you can ahead of time, such as chopping vegetables, marinating meats, or baking desserts. This will help streamline the cooking process on the day of the dinner.
- Cook the Meal: On the day of the dinner, follow your cooking schedule and prepare each dish according to your plan. Be sure to allow enough time for cooking and any last-minute adjustments.
- Enjoy the Meal: Once everything is cooked and ready, gather your guests around the table and enjoy your Easter dinner together. Take time to savor the delicious food and celebrate the holiday with your loved ones.
The Best Easter Southern Soul Food Main Dishes
Embrace the vibrant flavors and cherished traditions of Southern soul food this Easter with this amazing array of recipes that celebrate the essence of the season. All of these dishes embody warmth, hospitality, and time-honored family gatherings.
This old-fashioned Southern Baked Ham with Pineapple is baked and drizzled with a honey and brown sugar glaze and topped with cherries. Serve this holiday ham for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any gathering.
This Cajun Seafood Gumbo with Shrimp and Crab recipe is filled with the bold and irresistible flavors of the Bayou. This classic Louisiana-style stew combines succulent shrimp, tender crab meat, and a blend of flavorful herbs. The velvety roux-based broth is infused with the Holy Trinity of vegetables and Cajun spices for immense flavor.
This Oxtail Recipe is made by cooking the oxtail low and slow until they are tender, juicy, and fall off the bone. The meat is seasoned with Jamaican spices and rubs or Southern Style with Creole Seasoning and drizzled in homemade gravy.
This old-fashioned Easy Smothered Turkey Wings recipe is served with thick, creamy gravy and is traditionally served with rice. This is a baked Southern dish my family eats for Sunday dinners and soul food holiday meals.
These Easy Southern Smothered Pork Chops are fried with seasoned, sauteed onions and then drizzled in thick, stewed gravy. Pair this soul food staple with potatoes or your favorite sides.
These Oven Baked Crab Legs with Garlic Butter are made using Old Bay Seasoning and either snow crab legs or king crab legs. Baking them in the oven is so simple! They are ready in 25 minutes and easy to crack.
This Braised Beef Chuck Short Ribs recipe is slow cooked to perfection. The tender and succulent meat falls off the bone effortlessly and is bathed in a rich, flavorful gravy sauce prepared homemade from the beef drippings. Get ready to savor each juicy bite as this becomes an instant favorite on your table.
Cooking a prime rib standing rib roast, might seem like a daunting, intimidating task, especially when dealing with a piece of meat that’s both luxurious and expensive. This Garlic Butter Prime Rib recipe is here to walk you through every step of the process, from selecting the right cut to achieving a flawlessly cooked roast with a perfectly seasoned crust.
This Slow Cooker Crockpot Beef Roast is an easy classic recipe. This hearty dish promises tender, melt-in-your-mouth chuck pot roast, slow-cooked to perfection in savory herbs, spices, and hearty vegetables drizzled in homemade gravy. Set it in the morning and return home to the irresistible aroma of a home-cooked meal ready to be enjoyed.
This Smothered Chicken Wings recipe is a Southern and soul food favorite. It’s the perfect comfort food meal for Sunday dinners, weeknight meals, holidays, and more. Tender juicy wings are served drizzled in well-seasoned onion gravy.
This Easy Smothered Steak recipe is made using sirloin or strip steaks drizzled in a homemade onion and green pepper gravy. This is the perfect comfort food meal!
This Easy Smoked Lobster Tail is cooked to perfection and drizzled in an Old Bay lemon garlic butter sauce. Whip these up using any smoker or Traeger electric pellet grill for holidays, weeknight dinners, or any occasion!
These Traeger Smoked Ribs are made easy using the 3-2-1 Cook Method. Grab your pork ribs: baby back, spare, or whatever you like! These are seasoned to perfection using a dry rub. This spread can be made with any smoker or pellet grill for BBQs, summer cookouts, or any occasion!
This Cajun Spiced Roasted Turkey uses a dry rub brine for crispy skin with a spicy kick! It’s also injected with butter and herbs to keep the bird tender, moist, and loaded with flavor.
Easy, One Pan Southern Smothered Chicken is a quick Southern recipe featuring seared and baked chicken thighs drizzled in brown gravy. This healthy dish is made with onions and spices all in a cast iron skillet.
This Crispy Baked Turkey Wings recipe will show you how to cook the best oven-roasted wings that will literally fall off the bone. This tender meat it a staple dish for any soul food spread.
This Stuffed Turkey Legs recipe is partially inspired by the popular Turkey Leg Hut restaurant creations. These drumsticks are prepared to fall off the bone, all while loaded with cheesy, creamy mac and cheese or your favorite items.
These Slow Cooker Turkey Legs are made in the Crockpot and are perfect for fall-off the bone drumsticks. The drumsticks are tender and juicy. Serve these for Thanksgiving or any weeknight meal.
These Easy Air Fryer Turkey Legs are seasoned and roasted to perfection with crispy skin. Serve these for weeknight dinners or as main dish for the holidays and Thanksgiving!
Easy Air Fryer Turkey Breast is a quick recipe that uses a 3 to 4 pound (lb), bone-in or boneless breast. This air fried dish includes a tutorial for how to cook, how long to cook, and the perfect temperature. The turkey is so juicy it will fall off the bone like a tenderloin! Feel free to slice the breast up to make cutlets.
Air Fryer Honey Glazed Baked Ham is a quick and easy recipe that will show you how to make boneless or bone-in ham in the air fryer. You can even whip up country ham steaks. Serve these juicy slices for weeknight dinners or during the holidays and for Thanksgiving.
These Air Fryer Juicy Cornish Hens are cooked fresh or frozen with plenty of herbs and spices for full flavor. These mini rotisserie chickens are great for any dinner or holiday main dish.
Easter Southern Soul Food Side Dishes
Embrace the vibrant flavors and cherished traditions of Southern soul food this Easter with this amazing array of recipes that celebrate the essence of the season. All of these dishes embody warmth, hospitality, and time-honored family gatherings.
Southern-style and baked to perfection! This pasta dish has a creamy interior with a crispy top layer crust.
These Easy Southern Collard Greens are the best, authentic soul food recipe using fresh collards, smoked turkey, ham hocks, or bacon. This signature dish is made from scratch and is typically served with Southern Cornbread for Sunday dinners, Thanksgiving, and the holiday season.
These Easy Southern Style Green Beans are a staple old-fashioned side dish recipe. This homestyle dish is made with string beans and bacon for the perfect country meal. Add this to any soul food spread.
Easy Homemade Classic Southern Cornbread is the best, traditional cast iron skillet cornbread recipe made from scratch.
This Stovetop Candied Sweet Potatoes Yams recipe is made the tried and true Southern way and is bursting with natural sweetness and a luscious caramelized glaze. Crafted with warm butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves these sweet potatoes are cooked to perfection on the stove, offering a convenient and efficient way to enjoy this classic soul food favorite.
This Easy Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes recipe is homemade from scratch and baked in the oven. From there, you drizzle the dish in a thick caramelized syrup. Your Sunday dinners and soul food holiday events just got much better!
This Candied Sweet Potatoes Yams with Marshmallows recipe is prepared Southern style and brings together the natural sweetness of tender sweet potatoes with a luscious layer of melted marshmallows. Perfect for holiday gatherings, family dinners, or any occasion where you crave a touch of sweetness, cinnamon, and nutmeg, these are sure to be a hit at the table.
This Southern Black Eyed Peas Recipe is the perfect soul food meal for New Year’s, Sunday dinners, or any celebration. This dish is made with a rich broth using smoked turkey, ham hocks, bacon, or salt pork for amazing flavor.
This Ham Hocks and Beans recipe is made using any white beans including pinto or navy. The meal is seasoned to perfection using smoked ham hocks and paired with classic cornbread.
This Easy Southern Cornbread Dressing with chicken is the best old fashioned and homemade recipe from scratch. Drizzle it in gravy and serve it for Sunday dinners, Thanksgiving, or any occasion.
Indulge in a taste of New Orleans with this mouthwatering Southern Red Beans and Rice recipe! Loaded with savory Andouille sausage, smoked turkey, and a perfect blend of Creole seasoning, this dish brings the vibrant flavors of the Bayou straight to your kitchen.
This Seafood Jambalaya with Shrimp also includes lump crab meat and can be prepared Cajun or Creole style. This dish combines succulent seafood infused with aromatic spices and Holy Trinity vegetables for an explosion of flavor. Get ready to savor every bite of this mouthwatering delight that captures the essence of Louisiana cuisine.
This authentic Shrimp Etouffee recipe is a traditional Cajun or Creole staple meal. The dish is made with onions, peppers, celery, and a thick, deep brown roux-based sauce. Pair this with rice and Southern side dishes.
This Cajun Seafood Gumbo with Shrimp and Crab recipe is filled with the bold and irresistible flavors of the Bayou. This classic Louisiana-style stew combines succulent shrimp, tender crab meat, and a blend of flavorful herbs. The velvety roux-based broth is infused with the Holy Trinity of vegetables and Cajun spices for immense flavor.
This Cajun Dirty Rice, also known as rice dressing, is the best homemade from-scratch recipe. The dish features classic Louisiana Creole and Cajun Holy Trinity ingredients and only the best spices for optimal flavor.
This Cajun New Orleans Shrimp and Grits recipe is made with creamy grits, bacon or sausage, and well-seasoned, spicy gravy. This is a classic Southern Louisiana dish perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner.
This is the best Southern-style Creamy Mashed Potatoes recipe made with buttermilk. Pair this classic, old-fashioned dish with any soul food meal drizzled in homemade gravy.
This Southern Cooked Cabbage Recipe is made on the stove using butter, bacon or sausage, and garlic for immense flavor. This is the best soul food dish to serve for weeknight meals, holidays, or Sunday dinners.
These Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar are perfectly cooked and served whipped with cinnamon, butter, and nutmeg. Feel free to drizzle them with honey or maple syrup if you wish.
This Homemade Easy Southern Creamed Corn is made from scratch using fresh or frozen corn. This creamy dish is served sweet or savory, or even with a combination of both!
Easy Southern Fried Cabbage is the best, quick recipe for shredded and pan fried green cabbage. This post outlines how to fry cabbage using bacon and onions for flavor. This simple side dish is similar to a stir fry, making it perfect for weeknight dinners!
This Savory Cheddar Cheese Jalapeno Cornbread is homemade from scratch with a hint of spice. It’s baked with crispy edges with a soft center. This is the best cheesy cornbread with a twist!
This Creamy Butter Beans Recipe uses dried lima beans and is served Southern-style, cooked in turkey, ham, or salt pork. Pair this old-fashioned dish with classic buttermilk cornbread.
This is the best Southern Turnip Greens Recipe that will show you how to wash and cook turnip greens with smoked turkey, bacon, or ham hocks. This soul food dish is well seasoned with fresh spices to ensure no bitter greens!
This Easy Southern Mustard Greens Recipe is the best side dish for your soul food holidays and Sunday dinners. This dish is made with smoked turkey and loaded with flavor.
This Traditional Southern Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows is baked to perfection with a pillowy soft and gooey topping. This makes the perfect dessert or side dish for Sunday dinners, Thanksgiving, or any holiday. Feel free to toss in pecans or any nuts you wish.
This Easy Slow Cooker Crockpot Gumbo is the best authentic Creole Cajun recipe with chicken, andouille sausage, seafood (shrimp and/or crab), and okra. This healthy dish is loaded with spices and can be served mild or spicy.
This Slow Cooker Crockpot Pinto Beans recipe uses dried brown beans and is seasoned to perfection using smoked turkey, ham hocks, or even bacon. Pair this meal with homemade cornbread.
This Sweet Potato Casserole without Marshmallows is made with a crunchy pecan streusel topping and a smooth, velvety blend of sweet potatoes with a touch of sweetness. This decadent side dish also pairs as dessert. Discover the perfect balance of richness and sweetness in every bite perfect for holidays and Thanksgiving.
These Southern Black Eyed Peas are made in your slow-cooker or Crockpot using dried beans, smoked turkey, and a few staples for amazing flavor. No need to soak these! Let your appliance do all of the work. This soul food dish is perfect for Sunday dinners and New Years when you’re looking for some additional luck and prosperity.
This Slow Cooker Crockpot Collard Greens recipe is easy to whip together, simply dump the ingredients in the pot and go. This Southern-style soul food dish is made with smoked turkey or ham hocks for delicious flavor.
This Green Bean Casserole with Bacon is an irresistible combination of tender green beans, creamy sauce, and crispy bacon. It’s a classic dish that brings together the comforting flavors of the casserole we all love, coupled with savory bacon, and a rich sauce that coats every bite. The smoky and salty notes from the bacon take this beloved dish to a whole new level of deliciousness.
This Easy Lobster Macaroni and Cheese recipe is the best homemade side dish for any spread. This dish is made with a delicious cheese sauce, tender lobster, and baked to perfection for the ultimate crispy topping.
This Creamy Baked Seafood Mac and Cheese recipe is made with crab, shrimp, and macaroni pasta. This is the perfect, simple cheesy casserole to add to any spread. Add Old Bay Seasoning and Cajun spices for an additional kick in flavor!
This Easy Turkey Gravy From Drippings recipe is the best classic method for brown gravy from scratch. Save those extra juices from your pan and toss out the store-bought packets and jars.
This Homemade Yellow Gravy Without Drippings is made from scratch, without Thanksgiving turkey or giblets meat juices. Use this make-ahead gravy for turkey, chicken, ham, mashed potatoes, and more!
This Easy Scalloped Corn Recipe is a classic casserole dish made with creamy corn, crackers or breadcrumbs. Serve this side dish for Sunday dinners, Thanksgiving, or any of your favorite holidays.
Air Fryer Garlic Roasted Green Beans is a quick and easy recipe that is the perfect side dish for your weeknight dinner. You can also serve this keto dish, crispy or fried, and toss in crumbled bacon if you wish.
This Sweet Potatoes Au Gratin is creamy, cheesy, and delicious! This side dish is flavored with garlic butter and similar to classic Scalloped Sweet Potatoes. Pair this with any of your favorite main dishes.
This green bean casserole recipe is not just for the holidays. This dish is so scrumptious you will likely want to eat it any time of the year.
The Best Easter Southern Soul Food Dessert Recipes
These Southern-style desserts include peach cobbler, sweet potato pie, banana pudding, apple pie and more!
A buttery, crispy crust filled with sweet mashed potatoes and warm spices make this sweet potato pie recipe the only one you’ll ever need. The beloved traditional Southern dessert has been passed down for generations. It’s economical, easy, and downright delicious.
Bread pudding is a classic dessert recipe filled with warm, cozy flavours perfect for chilly winter days. Here’s how to transform stale bread into a crowd-pleasing treat!
Enjoy this Lemon Icebox Pie Recipe for a tart, sweet, and refreshing backyard barbecue treat. A simple, homemade graham cracker crust sets the stage for a luscious and creamy filling made of lemon juice and condensed milk.
Southern Chess Pie – A Southern classic comfort food that celebrates the holidays in style. Decadent, rich, and perfectly sweet custard filling wrapped up pin a flaky homemade pie crust is happiness on a fork. Plus, it’s a breeze to throw together!
Ambrosia Salad – Indulge in this heavenly, creamy salad loaded with fruit, marshmallows, grated coconut, and crunchy nuts. Light and refreshing, it comes together in less than 10 minutes. Sweet, tangy, and fruity, oh my!
Southern Pecan Pie – Complete your holiday feast with a richly decadent dessert on the table. This classic Southern pecan pie is filled with sweet buttery goodness and crunchy pecans. And it’s a super easy pie to make, yet truly impressive, making it perfect for any occasion.
Southern Soul Food Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
This collection includes casseroles, bacon, French toast, and more!
Low-Carb Keto Bacon, Egg, and Spinach Breakfast Casserole is the perfect quick and easy make-ahead, meal-prep dish with cheese, mushrooms, and peppers. This dish is keto friendly and perfect for keto diets. Serve this dish for your holiday breakfasts and brunch!
This Sweet Potato Oatmeal recipe is a healthy breakfast dish that has all of the flavors of classic, warm pie. Top this with pecans, granola, honey, maple syrup, or any of your favorite toppings.
Easy Air Fryer French Toast Sticks is a quick recipe for a sweet breakfast that everyone will love! These fried bites are also freezer friendly! Pop them in the air fryer and cook from frozen for a simple meal prep meal.
This Easy Pumpkin Crisp is a quick and healthy recipe made without cake mix and uses oatmeal, pureed canned pumpkin, and seasonal pumpkin spice. This dish is sugar-free and made without refined sugar. Serve this for dinner or dessert!
This Easy Healthy Sugar-Free Apple Crisp recipe is baked with Granny Smith apples and a crunchy topping, all with no refined sugar. This low-calorie dessert works well for breakfast, too!
This rivals Starbucks PSL, and it’s made with real pureed pumpkin along with pie spice for the perfect blend of flavor.
This Caramel Apple Spice Cider is a Starbucks Copycat recipe served hot and is made homemade from scratch with no apple juice. This drink is loaded with fall flavors like cinnamon and clove, then drizzled in whipped cream and caramel.
This Air Fryer Sweet Potato Hash is a quick and easy recipe perfect for breakfast. This dish is served with bold spice and cooked bacon. The potatoes are fried to perfection!
Easy, Crispy, and Perfect Air Fryer Bacon is a quick recipe that will show you how long to cook bacon in a Nuwave, Power Air Fryer, Gourmia, or any air fryer brand. Cooking bacon for breakfast is simple and it’s finished in 10 minutes and with no smoke! Pair it with a nice side of eggs.