Welcome to our annual Juneteenth Virtual Cookout! This online gathering is more than just a celebration of food—it’s a tribute to the rich history and resilience of the Black community. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, marks the historical milestone of emancipation, the day when the last of the enslaved individuals in the United States were set free in 1865.

Join us in honoring the legacy of progress and freedom by cooking and sharing these recipes. Additionally, you can easily follow each participant by using the hashtag #JuneteenthCookout2023 on Instagram.

Importance of Juneteenth

Juneteenth is a day of profound significance. It’s an opportunity for us to honor the bravery and resolve of our ancestors who battled against the oppressive chains of slavery. On this day, we commemorate their journey to freedom, acknowledging the enduring spirit of resilience and progress that forms an integral part of our collective identity.

Celebrating Juneteenth Through Culinary Collaboration

This year, the essence of Juneteenth is brought to life through a grand collaboration of over 30 Black culinary creators. We’re celebrating “Freedom Day” by curating a collection of recipes that capture the cultural diversity and culinary creativity of our community. From mouthwatering mains and savory sides to delightful desserts and refreshing beverages, our themed menus are perfect for backyard barbecues and summer gatherings.

Media & Features

• Tastemaker Conference – Eat the Culture Juneteenth Virtual Cookout
• Cuisine Noir Magazine – Recipes: Eat the Culture’s Juneteenth Cookout Menu Celebrates Freedom, Food and Family
• FeedFeed – Juneteenth Virtual Cookout With Eat The Culture
• Food 52 – 8 Joyful, Delicious Menus Featuring Black Culinary Creators in Honor of Juneteenth
• Simply Recipes –12 Delicious Desserts from Black Food Bloggers to Celebrate Juneteenth
• Spruce Eats – 13 Juneteenth Drinks by Black Food Bloggers: A Celebration of Heritage and Unity
• All Recipes – 13 Sides from Black Food Bloggers to Serve for a Jubilant Juneteenth

Explore Our Themed Menus

Contents: Jump To …

1. All Red Everything
2. The Great Migration (Soul Food Classics)
3. Black Cowboy Cuisine (Southwest Region)
4. Green Soul (Vegetarian and Vegan)
5. International and Caribbean
6. Coastal Cuisine (Gullah, Cajun, and Creole)
7. Sweet Miss Juneteenth
8. Bad & Boujee (Southern Decadence)

All Red Everything

The color red is an especially significant symbol for Juneteenth as it represents resilience, perseverance, and the bloodshed of African Americans in the fight for freedom. Red foods adorn many Juneteenth tables, and recipes like Red Velvet Bread Pudding, Cherry Tabbouleh, and Watermelon Sangria serve as powerful reminders of the struggles and triumphs of the African American community.

 Get The Recipes

• Dash of Jazz – Hibiscus BBQ Sauce
• Good Food Baddie – Mango Habanero Wings
• Peaches 2 Peaches – Red Velvet Bread Pudding
• Sense and Edibility® – Watermelon Sangria
• Meiko And The Dish – Juneteenth Red Sherbet Punch
• Savor and Sage – Cherry Tabbouleh
• Heal Me Delicious – Strawberry Cookies

The Great Migration (Soul Food Classics)

Amid the Great Migration, countless African Americans departed from the Southern states. They relocated throughout the United States, carrying vibrant culinary traditions, which they adapted to suit their new homes. Some remained the Soul Food Classics, such as Southern Baked Beans and Old-Fashioned Candied Yams, while others, like Chesapeake Bay Crab Feast and Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea, were new renditions of old favorites.

 Get The Recipes

• Sweet Tea + Thyme- Chesapeake Bay Crab Feast
• Meiko And The Dish – BBQ Beef Plate Ribs
• Good Food Baddie – Grilled BBQ Spatchcock Chicken
• Kenneth Temple – Southern Potato Salad
• Pink Owl Kitchen – Southern Baked Beans
• Britney Breaks Bread – Old Fashioned Candied Sweet Potatoes
• Britney Breaks Bread – Classic Red Velvet Cake
• Pink Owl Kitchen – Strawberry Sweet Iced Tea

Black Cowboy Cuisine (Southwest Region)

Cowboy Cuisine from the southwestern region of the United States honors the legacy of Black cowboys who forged physical trails in this country, as well as culinary and cultural trails. Southwestern soul food combines the flavors and ingredients of Southern cuisine with vibrant and spicy elements. Recipes like Bacon Jalapeño Deviled Eggs, Spicy Sausage and Baked Bean Casserole, and Strawberry Margaritas offer a unique fusion of bold flavors and culinary traditions.

 Get The Recipes

• Big Delicious Life – Bacon Jalapeno Deviled Eggs
• Food Fidelity – Smoked Wings
• Food Fidelity – Rib Tips
• Seasoned To Taste – Spicy Sausage and Baked Bean Casserole
• Collards Are The Old Kale – White Beans w/Tomato Chow Chow
• Sims Home Kitchen – Strawberry Margarita
• Chenée Today – Peach Cobbler Pound Cake

Green Soul (Vegetarian and Vegan)

With the highest population of vegans/vegetarians in the United States, African-Americans are drawing inspiration from the largely plant-based diet of our African ancestors and developing recipes inspired by classic Soul Food dishes. Black-eyed peas, chickpeas, and watermelon are updated in recipes like Southern Caviar, Strawberry Lemonade Vodka, and Watermelon Salad with Cilantro Honey Lime Dressing.

 Get The Recipes

• Savor and Sage – Soul Hummus and Vegetable Board
• Brazilian Kitchen Abroad – Watermelon Salad with Cilantro Honey Lime dressing
• Geo’s Table – Southern Caviar (Black eyed Pea Salad)
• Collards Are The Old Kale – White Beans w/Tomato Chow Chow
• That Green Lyfe – Strawberry Mango Romaine Salad w/ Raspberry Vinaigrette
• My Pretty Brown Eats – Watermelon Basil Gin Cocktail
• My Sweet Precision –Strawberry Lemonade Vodka

International and Caribbean

With roots in the African diaspora, these recipes represent a rich culinary tapestry. Influenced by African traditions, these dishes offer a vibrant fusion of flavors and ingredients. Recipes such as Afro-Caribbean-inspired Mango Scotch Bonnet Chicken Wings, and the refreshing Zobo popular in West Africa showcase the diverse range of African culture.

 Get The Recipes

• Dish It With Tisha –Mango Scotch Bonnet Wings
• Geo’s Table – Jerk Pork Skewers
• We Eat At Last – Kachumbari
• We Eat At Last – Kashata
• Sims Home Kitchen – Coconut Rum Cupcakes
• We Eat At Last – Zobo
• Kerri-Ann’s Kravings – Watermelon Coconut Jamaican Rum Punch

Coastal Cuisine (Gullah, Cajun, and Creole)

Gullah, Cajun, and Creole cuisines highlight the bounty of coastal food central to Juneteenth since its inception in the Gulf Coast city of Galveston, TX, in 1865. Southern Crab Beignets with Remoulade Sauce, Cajun Seafood Boil, and cooling Homemade Peaches and Cream Popsicles are among the recipes inspired by the unique culinary traditions rooted in the coastal regions of the Gulf States.

 Get The Recipes

• Gimme From Scratch- Southern Crab Beignets with Remoulade Sauce
• Meiko And The Dish – Cajun Chicken Wing & Turkey Neck Boil (Seafoodless)
• Gimme From Scratch – Cajun Seafood Boil
• Kenneth Temple – Old Fashion Salmon Patties with Homemade Tartar Sauce
• Lenox Bakery – Banana Pudding Pound Cake
• Coined Cuisine – Homemade Peaches & Cream Popsicles
• Sims Home Kitchen – Non-Alcoholic Tropical Pineapple Drink

Sweet Miss Juneteenth

Miss Juneteenth is an annual beauty pageant held in many African American communities to commemorate the holiday. The pageant showcases African American women’s beauty, intelligence, and societal contributions. Dishes such as Bourbon Glazed Candied Bacon, Strawberry Oreo Crunch Pound Cake, and Rainbow Fruit Salad with Agave-Lime Syrup lean into the sweetness of the holiday.

 Get The Recipes

• Her Mise En Place – Bourbon Glazed Candied Bacon
• Kenneth Temple – Hot Honey Wings
• My Sweet Precision – Strawberry Oreo Crunch Pound Cake
• Begin with Butter – Red Velvet Cupcakes
• My Sweet Precision – Raspberry Chocolate Crumble Bars
• A Classic Twist – Strawberry Basil Sparkler
• Coined Cuisine – Rainbow Fruit Salad + Agave-Lime Syrup

Bad & Boujee (Southern Decadence)

These dishes offer a luxurious twist on traditional cookout recipes. Gourmet options, including Beef Ribs with Blackberry Whiskey BBQ Sauce, Margarita Infused Watermelon, and Blood Orange, Beetroot, Walnut, Feta Salad with Orange Vinaigrette, ensure a lavish and indulgent culinary experience for all who gather around your Juneteenth table.

 Get The Recipes

• Dash of Jazz – Deviled Egg Dip
• Sense and Edibility® – Guava BBQ Party Meatballs
  
• Gimme From Scratch – Blood Orange, Pickled Beets & Feta Salad
• Her Mise En Place – Smoked Macaroni and Cheese
• Flights and Foods – Hibiscus Spritzer
• Dash of Jazz – Margarita Infused Watermelon
• Kenneth Temple – Sweet Potato Cheesecake with Butter Pecan Sauce

Supporting Black Culinary Creators

Juneteenth is a powerful reminder of our history, a testament to the strength of our ancestors. Our celebration of “Freedom Day” is as much a tribute to our shared past as it is a feast for the senses. Through the Juneteenth Virtual Cookout, we hope to celebrate our shared heritage, foster unity, and indulge in the sheer joy of good food. We encourage you to cook, share, and relish these recipes with your loved ones. Gather around the barbecue or the dinner table, and let every bite remind you of our journey to freedom and equality.

Join us on instagram as we share each amazing creator recipe and don’t forget to use the hashtag #JuneteenthCookout2023 to easily locate, support, and engage with our creators. This not only allows you to share your culinary creations, but it also helps you connect with our community. Each like, share, and follow supports their work and contributes to the recognition and appreciation they deserve.