15+ Best Vegan Recipes To Celebrate Black History Month

ByMichelle Blackwood, RN

This is my collection of the Best Vegan Recipes To Celebrate Black History Month! They are all vegan, gluten-free, and full of flavor, and will be a hit at your next family meal. 

I know that many readers are transitioning to a vegan diet and they are missing their favorite recipes that they have enjoyed all their lives, they miss the familiar flavors and textures.

Black History Month is a celebration of the achievements and contributions of African Americans to U.S. history and culture

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African American cuisine has been shaped by the history and experiences of African Americans and is a unique blend of West African, Native American, and European cooking traditions. Here are some foods that have been considered part of traditional African American cuisine:

  1. Fried chicken: A staple of soul food, this dish is made by coating chicken pieces in a seasoned flour mixture and then deep-frying them until crispy.
  2. Collard greens: A type of leafy green vegetable that is often seasoned with bacon or ham hocks and slow-cooked for a flavorful and nutritious dish.
  3. Sweet potato pie: A dessert made with mashed sweet potatoes, spices, and a flaky crust, this dish is a traditional staple of African American holiday meals.
  4. Jambalaya: A Creole dish that is similar to Spanish paella, jambalaya is made with rice, vegetables, and either chicken, sausage, or seafood.
  5. Gumbo: A stew originating from Louisiana, gumbo typically contains a mixture of vegetables, meat or seafood, and a roux-based sauce.
  6. Hoppin’ John: A dish made with black-eyed peas, rice, and either ham hocks or bacon, this dish is often served on New Year’s Day for good luck.

 

Best Vegan Recipes To Celebrate Black History Month

This post has all my favorite recipes together so you don’t have to search all over the web trying to spend hours figuring it out. All the work has been done for you!

1. Vegan Smothered Tofu Chicken

pan of vegan smothered tofu with spoon in it

My Smothered Vegan Fried Chicken-Style Tofu is one of those comfort dishes that is a keeper. It is perfect for bringing that home-cooked flavor to all your special meals!

The inspiration to create a vegan version came to me when I saw a photo of a smothered chicken recipe, and right away I wanted to recreate it for the holiday season.

I know a lot of my readers who have transitioned to a plant-based diet are missing dishes like this one that they ate and enjoyed all their life.

2. Baked Mac and Cheese 

vegan baked mac and cheese in green casserole with white bowl in the foreground on white background

Everyone needs a delicious mac and cheese recipe, so today, I’m sharing with you a creamy, nutty, and deliciously flavorful vegan baked mac and cheese recipe to wow your guests and family. Serve as a main course or a side dish. Or start eating straight from the pan!

This is the most delicious comfort food I’ve ever had! It’s incredibly cheesy and tastes so much like the real thing that you might not even notice it’s vegan. Seriously!

3. Stewed Okras and Tomatoes

white bowl of stewed okra and tomatoes

This quick and easy Vegan Stewed Okras and Tomatoes is my version of the classic southern dish without bacon; it is so flavorful that you won’t even miss it!

This should be your go-to recipe when you need a dish to impress your guests. What makes it even better is that the ingredients are available in your pantry right now!

4. Hot Water Cornbread

platter of hot water cornbread with bowls of ingredients overlay

Make hot water cornbread using just three ingredients: cornmeal, baking powder, and hot water It is a gluten-free, vegan, and simple side dish that you can make effortlessly and within minutes.

It is pretty versatile as well. You can turn it savory or sweet and make it more enjoyable. The golden crispy outside and a relatively fluffy interior make it a perfect choice with stews, soups, and curries.

5. Sweet Potato Pie

sliced sweet potato pie with marshmallows on top

This flavorful recipe tastes just like the classic Southern sweet potato pie, but without dairy or gluten. This amazing recipe is so easy to make using store-bought crust or my gluten-free vegan pie crust.

This vegan sweet potato pie is a great recipe to try!  Why? Because it derives its flavor and texture from sweet potatoes (duh), has generous hits of cinnamon and nutmeg, and is topped off with a dollop of coconut whipped cream. Suffice it to say, this pie will be one that your taste buds can’t wait to sink their teeth into.

6. Southern Black-Eyed Peas

hand holding bowl of black eyed peas and a spoon

Enjoy this flavorful and classic Southern black-eyed peas dish, seasoned with onions, garlic, peppers, and thyme. This recipe is so comforting on cold winter nights or all year long!

7. Vegan Dirty Rice

bowl of vegan dirty rice with spoon in it

A flavorful take on the classic Southern comfort dish, the vegan dirty rice recipe is definitely a must-try! Cooked vegan ground protein, rice seasoned with onion, celery, bell peppers, and Creole seasoning is all you need.

Sometimes it’s the simplest recipes that taste the best. That’s the case with these vegan dirty rice. All you need is a vegan burger, some vegetables, and some spices, and you can serve up this New Orleans classic in no time at all. 

8. Southern Green Beans and Potatoes

pot of green beans and potatoes

This recipe for green beans and potatoes is a flavorful version of the popular classic Southern side dish. It is made with fresh green beans and baby potatoes cooked with onions, garlic, and smoked paprika.

Traditionally, green beans are cooked with bacon and potatoes, but with my version, you won’t even miss the bacon. It was so delicious!

9. Vegan Cheesy Grits

overlay of bowls of vegan cheesy grits and ingredients, Vegan Recipes To Celebrate Black History Month

This vegan grits recipe is creamy and full of flavor. Cook the grits with non-dairy milk until they are smooth and creamy, then add vegan shredded cheese and vegan butter for an amazing brunch side dish.

10. Vegan Southern-Style Coleslaw

bowl of vegan coleslaw with spoon in it and Vegan Recipes To Celebrate Black History Month

Crunchy, creamy, flavorful, and sweet vegan southern-style coleslaw is the perfect American classic topping or side for your burger, hot dog, or BBQ sandwich.

11. Vegan Pecan Pie

plate of slice of vegan pecan pie with spoon, Vegan Recipes To Celebrate Black History Month

This is a deliciously decadently rich vegan pecan pie that will be perfect for the holidays, birthdays, cookouts, and any other occasion. Or for no reason at all!

12. Southern-Style Vegan Collard Greens

bowl of vegan collard greens with spoon in it, Vegan Recipes To Celebrate Black History Month

These are authentic vegan collard greens, cooked in the Southern tradition of low and slow.Transform simple everyday ingredients into arguably the best way to cook vegan Southern-style collard greens with this dish.

13. Red Beans and Rice

bowl of red beans with rice and vegan sausage on top, for Vegan Recipes To Celebrate Black History Month

Incredibly flavorful vegan red beans and rice is the perfect vegan, gluten-free version of the classic Southern staple.

Creamy and tasty made with red kidney beans, cooked with onion, bell pepper, celery, herbs, and homemade Creole seasoning. 

14. Instant Pot Candied Yams

casserole dish of candied yams for Vegan Recipes To Celebrate Black History Month

These melt-in-your-mouth Instant Pot candied yams are full of flavors. A blend of maple syrup and coconut sugar, fresh ginger, orange juice, vanilla, and spices sweeten them.

You can literally have delicious candied yams ready in minutes when you use your Instant Pot. An Instant Pot is such a handy time-saving kitchen tool for the modern cook. You can create delicious, healthy meals, so you can get more time to spend with your family and friends.

15. Grape Jelly and BBQ Meatballs

spooning grape jelly meatballs out of crockpot, for Vegan Recipes To Celebrate Black History Month

There is no better appetizer in the slow cooker than these Grape Jelly and BBQ Meatballs. They are honestly one of the easiest appetizers for events, since they only require three ingredients!

Many families have a unique or not-so-unique Superbowl party appetizers tradition. One of my personal favorites is these Grape Jelly and BBQ Meatballs.

16. Southern Fried Cabbage

bowl of fried cabbage with spoon in it for Vegan Recipes To Celebrate Black History Month

This vegan fried cabbage is a flavorful meatless version of the Southern classic dish. It is easy to prepare, using a combination of sautéing and stewing cabbage with onion, garlic, and herbs in a vegetable broth.

17. Vegan Gumbo Recipe

vegan gumbo on blue washed wood Vegan Recipes To Celebrate Black History Month

This is my new favorite recipe, it is a hit every time I make it. It is a flavorful vegan version of the popular Louisiana dish, made with Soy Curls and vegan sausage smothered in a rich and creamy roux with onion, celery, bell peppers, and okra.

Gumbo is a popular Creole dish in Louisiana and is now their state dish. A classic gumbo recipe usually consists of seafood and meat cooked in a stock with onion, celery, and bell pepper.

What Are 5 Facts About Black History Month?

  1. Origin: African American History Month, also known as Black History Month, was founded in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson as “Negro History Week”. In 1976, it was expanded to a month-long celebration.
  2. Purpose: The goal of Black History Month is to honor and acknowledge the achievements, contributions, and experiences of African Americans in U.S. history.
  3. Observation: Black History Month is observed in the United States .during the month of February, in commemoration of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas, two important persons in black history.
  4. Global Recognition: while primarily celebrated in the United States. Black History Month is also celebrated in other countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom, where it is celebrated in October.
  5. Importance: Black History Month holds significance as it provides education about the rich history and culture of African Americans, and pays tribute to their struggles and triumphs. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing effect to attain equal rights and justice for all individuals, regardless of their race.

More of my best Vegan Recipes To Celebrate Black History Month:

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Hi, I’m Michelle, I’m the voice, content creator and photographer behind Healthier Steps. I share vegan and gluten-free recipes because of past health issues. My goal is to help you make healthier choices and show you how healthy eating is easy and delicious.

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9 Comments

  6. Pingback: 20 Ideas for Beans Greens tomatoes Potatoes - Best Recipes Ever

  8. Thank you very much for making it easier for finding delicious recipes in one place. I have tried several of your recipes and they were all delicious.

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