Three Recipes Every Soul Food Cook Should Know

If you want a fried chicken recipe that tastes like it came out of a Southern grandmother’s kitchen, follow these easy step-by-step directions. Take note that the chicken needs to marinate in the buttermilk mixture for 12 to 24 hours before cooking to ensure succulent tenderness. This fried chicken recipe is a keeper! 

There’s a reason why oxtails are a soul food staple. Braising oxtails slowly for 3 to 4 hours results in a meaty, fork-tender comfort food. This oxtail recipe will be an eye-opener for those who have never eaten them before. This cut of meat is more succulent and flavorful than even braised beef short ribs, thanks to more marbling and the inclusion of bone marrow. The delicious aroma will have you counting down until the oxtail recipe is ready. Another option is to cook the oxtails overnight on low in a slow cooker. While the sauce and meat are usually spooned over rice, it can also be served with mashed potatoes.

Fried green tomatoes are the ultimate soul food as the crunch of the breading gives way to the soft tartness of the tomato. Green tomatoes are sourced specifically for this use in the South, but it can be difficult to find these tomatoes in other parts of the country. Just regular red tomatoes picked before they are ripened, ask for them at your grocery store or farmer’s market. They are usually happy to accommodate and place an order for green tomatoes.