Soul food is deeply ingrained in Black culture, full of hearty, comforting dishes that connect us to our roots. However, traditional soul food recipes often contain meat, dairy, and other animal products. As more people adopt plant-based lifestyles, finding delicious Black vegan recipes for soul food classics is essential.
In this post, I’ll share 12 mouthwatering Black vegan recipes that prove you don’t have to compromise on flavor or tradition when eating plant-based. Writing this post was enough to make me say… “I’ll be okay to go back to being 100% vegan.”
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From fried chicken to mac and cheese, collard greens, and sweet potato pie, I’ve curated these soul food favorites to capture the nostalgic tastes we crave, without the meat and dairy. Some of them I’ve made some of them I haven’t but have now added to my list!
With a few ingredient swaps and creative techniques, you can enjoy all your favorite comfort foods again. Here are 12 sensational Black vegan recipes to add to your repertoire.
Table of Contents
1. Vegan Fried Chicken
Let’s start with a veggie take on fried chicken, the ultimate Southern staple. My mouth used to water at the thought of a crispy, juicy chicken leg fresh from the fryer. Now, I know I can get the same experience from fried cauliflower.
It gets coated in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture and fried to golden perfection. Served with hot sauce or dipping sauce, it’s hard to tell the difference.
I was in a BW3s one day and saw that cauliflower wings are now on the menu…clearly, it’s a fan favorite. I made the cauliflower wings pictured above when I was fully vegan. I remember the first time I tasted it, I looked at my husband and was like “OMG.” It was delicious!
2. Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Soup
Warming black-eyed peas is a classic New Year’s tradition thought to bring prosperity and luck. This hearty vegan version of black-eyed pea soup gets tons of savory depth from smoked paprika, and collard greens, another piece of the tradition. Traditional ham hock is replaced with smoky seasoning for a soul-warming Black vegan recipe without any meat.
Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Soup recipe
3. BBQ Jackfruit Sliders
Pulled pork sandwiches are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. For a plant-based version, jackfruit makes an amazing substitute with its “pull apart” shredded texture.
I’ve experimented with BBQ jackfruit and it is fall-off-the-bone tender after an overnight marinade. This one is then piled onto brioche buns for finger-licking sliders. The sweet, sticky barbecue sauce pairs perfectly with creamy, cool slaw.
4. Mac and Yease
No soul food meal is complete without mac and cheese, oozing with creamy, cheesy comfort. My Black vegan recipe uses cashews and nutritional yeast for ultra-cheesy vibes. Mixed with al dente pasta and baked until browned, it’s rich, gooey perfection. I like to mix in greens like peas or add broccoli on the side for more nutrition.
This is another vegan food favorite that I had to learn how to make when I was fully vegan. It gave me enough of the mac n cheese vibes I needed. On my first go around (pictured above), I think I overdid it with the nutritional yeast, trying to chase that cheesy goodness 🙂 It was still good nonetheless.
Mac and Yease recipe (Vegan Mac and Cheese)
5. Crispy Okra Fries
Crispy okra fries are an iconic southern snack, with a satisfying crunch you’ll crave again and again. Here’s how to make them plant-based with a light chickpea flour breading that perfectly crisps up in the oven. Serve these fries with your favorite dipping sauce.
6. Sweet Potato Pie
This classic soul food dessert gets a vegan makeover but keeps its signature creamy, cinnamon sweet potato filling in a flaky crust. With just a bit of coconut milk and maple syrup, this Black vegan recipe comes together easily.
7. Fluffy Cornbread
Warm cornbread is the perfect accompaniment to soul food entrees. This quick recipe stays light and tender thanks to just the right mixing method. A little honey and vegan butter is the perfect finish.
8. Smashed Potatoes
Okay, so I love potatoes. And what good is any down-home southern comfort meal without potatoes?
On their own, of course, they’re already vegan, but when you think about all the stuff we’d traditionally do to them to give them a creamy vibe like add milk, sour cream, maybe even some cheese on top, we fall off the wagon…or at least I do (unless of course I just used the vegan substitutes for those things).
But these smashed potatoes by Jessica from Jessica in the Kitchen, while I have not made them myself yet, give extreme life with olive oil, pesto, and sea salt added into the mix
9. Slow Cooker Collard Greens
Tender, melty collard greens are a true taste of the South. Smoked paprika and onions give this and really any other Black vegan recipes, the same smoky, savory flavor without the meat. Simmer the greens until completely tender and top with hot sauce for the full experience.
Slow Cooker Collard Greens recipe
10. Jalapeno Corn Muffins
These fluffy corn muffins with flecks of jalapeno work for breakfast alongside collard greens and sweet potato hash at dinner. With just a few simple plant-based swaps, this easy Black vegan recipe comes together in minutes.
11. Candied Yams/Sweet Potatoes
I remember being so excited watching my mom prepare to cook sweet potatoes.
And there’s a reason my mom is the feature in this story versus me. I used to dread the peeling and slicing that went into it, so didn’t make this style too often.
But, just watching those peeled and cut-up potatoes sitting in a bow with sugar on top for 24 hours was enough to make my soul rejoice.
Now these candied sweet potatoes are a can’t-miss, and they already are high on the vegan-friendly list with just small substitutions. This is one of the simplest Black vegan recipes that come together quickly but tastes like you fussed all day.
Candied Yams/Sweet Potatoes recipe
12. Oooey Gooey Peach Cobbler
Finish any soul food feast on a sweet note with classic peach cobbler made vegan with vegan butter, soy milk, and juicy summer peaches among other ingredients. This is high on my list of Black vegan recipes to experiment with and it seems to let the fruit shine.
If you want to take a walk on the wild side grab some vegan ice cream and top it off!
Conclusion: Recreate These Black Vegan Recipes Today
Now, get in your kitchen, or a friend’s kitchen, or somebody’s kitchen, and get cooking!
Let me know if you have favorite Black vegan recipes for timeless soul food dishes! I’m always seeking new plant-based spins on cherished traditional flavors. With a bit of creativity, you really can have the best comfort food without compromise.
Get cooking and savor the flavors!
