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10+ Recipes to Celebrate Juneteenth
Juneteenth, observed each year on June 19th, marks a key moment in American history. It commemorates the day in 1865 when African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free from enslavement. What began as a local celebration of liberation has since evolved into a nationwide recognition of freedom and resilience, as well as a time to reflect and educate others about the history of the holiday.
One of the most cherished and meaningful ways to celebrate Juneteenth is through food. Juneteenth celebrations often feature flavorful spreads and vibrant cookouts that not only nourish the body but also feed the soul. This curated menu of 15 recipes perfectly captures the essence of that celebration. From grilled entrées and soulful sides to refreshing red drinks and sweet desserts, each dish is a nod to both reverence and flavor.
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Grilled Honey-Mustard Chicken with Zucchini-Corn Relish
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman
Grilling is at the heart of many Juneteenth cookouts. This grilled honey-mustard chicken strikes the perfect balance between sweet and sour flavors. The honey-mustard mixture adds a bright, flavorful component to this dish, which pairs perfectly with the zucchini-corn relish, making it a nice addition to your celebratory spread.
Hasselback Sweet Potatoes with Garlic-Yogurt Sauce
Sweet potatoes have long held significance in African American culinary history. This dish elevates them with crispy edges and a creamy garlic-yogurt sauce to help balance those sweet and savory flavors in every bite. To achieve the signature hasselback appearance, position two wooden spoons alongside the potatoes as you cut. The spoons will prevent you from cutting through the sweet potatoes entirely and won’t cause damage to the knife blade.
Easy Pineapple Coleslaw
This tropical-inspired slaw adds a refreshing crunch and the perfect sweetness to your plate, thanks to the pineapple. It’s the ideal pairing for smoky barbecue dishes and a staple in any summer cookout. If you prefer a more tart-tasting slaw, feel free to add an extra tablespoon of lemon juice.
Sorrel Tea
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen.
Often made with dried hibiscus petals, sorrel is a traditional West African drink that made its way into Caribbean and African American culinary traditions. The deep red color of the drink carries powerful symbolism, especially during Juneteenth, when red foods and beverages honor resilience and strength. Serve chilled and garnish with a slice of lime or orange peel.
Collard Greens with Ham Bone or Ham Hocks
A cornerstone of soul food, collard greens are steeped in flavor and history. This version, adapted from a South Carolina tradition, is slowly simmered with ham bone or ham hocks to deliver that smoky depth and soulful comfort. As the bone simmers, it adds flavor to the broth and yields enough meat to serve with the collards.
Citrus Salad with Pomegranate & Mint
This vibrant fruit salad reflects African traditions in which fresh fruit often replaces rich desserts. The pomegranate arils add a symbolic touch with their red color, aligning with the Juneteenth themes of remembrance and resilience. Not only is this a more refreshing way to finish a meal, but it’s also a great way to get closer to the 2 servings of fruit recommended by the Dietary Guidelines.
Sparkling Strawberry-Ginger Lemonade
Inspired by the “red drink” traditionally served for Juneteenth, this sparkling strawberry-ginger lemonade is both refreshing and culturally significant. This version combines the natural sweetness of ripe strawberries with a zesty kick from the ginger beer and the pink lemonade. It’s a beautiful way to honor tradition while cooling off at your summer gathering.
Banana Pudding Parfaits
These individual parfaits offer a lighter, portion-controlled way to enjoy the creamy, nostalgic flavors we know and love. They are easy to serve, mess-free and a crowd favorite.
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Pickled Onions
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
This colorful salad is the perfect addition to your Juneteenth menu. The pickled onions add brightness and freshness, while the heirloom tomatoes add a subtle sweetness and vibrant color. Use your favorite varieties of tomatoes—even cherry tomatoes will be delicious (you’ll need about 6 cups total). The pickling liquid is worth saving: you can pickle more vegetables with it or whisk with oil and fresh herbs for a simple vinaigrette.
Fried Porgies
Porgy—also referred to as scup or bream—is a medium-fatty, firm-fleshed white fish with a mild flavor and edible skin. Buttermilk helps the cornmeal coating stick to the fish and keeps it moist, while seafood seasoning adds a nice kick. Ask your fishmonger to clean the fish and remove the heads and fins.
Shrimp & Okra Gumbo
Gumbo is a dish rich in history. This lighter version uses okra to thicken the stew and Gulf shrimp for a deeply flavorful meal steeped in tradition. When making this recipe, be sure to use Louisiana or Crystal hot sauce to add that perfect kick.
Smoky Grilled Corn
Grilled corn on the cob is a must-have at any cookout. This smoky version brings classic barbecue flavor and is a no-fuss side to enjoy straight off the grill. Seasoned with classic bold barbecue flavor, this grilled corn will be a home run at your celebration.
Creole Skillet Cornbread
Baked in a cast-iron skillet for that golden crust, this Creole version adds corn kernels for texture and sweetness. As with many recipes, the amount of sugar you like in your cornbread will depend on your personal taste preferences, so add more or less sugar to taste.
Baked Beans with Ground Beef
Baked beans have long been a staple at cookouts. This hearty version includes lean ground beef, which transforms this humble side into a satisfying, protein-packed main dish. The final result is a hearty casserole that also serves as an easy and fast dinner option.
Strawberry Poke Cake
Strawberries represent more than just flavor on Juneteenth. They contribute to the visual story of red foods that symbolize strength, perseverance and joy. This cake delivers all of that in a moist, vibrant dessert. After this lightened-up cake is baked and cooled, it’s poked with holes (hence the name!) and filled with fresh pureed strawberries, thickened with gelatin to prevent the cake from getting soggy. The end result? Sweet strawberry flavor inside and out!
