There are many soul food recipes that have meat or meat products embedded throughout that a lot of vegan people (or those who have other dietary restrictions) may not be able to eat. I’m here to let you know that you do not need either of these things to have a flavorful soul food meal!
My mother was not always plant-based, but we have made a full transition - I’m a pescatarian - to not using any meat products when we create our soul food meals. She now uses a specific vegan cheese and milk alternative to create our mac, we have plenty of black-eyed peas without the turkey for protein, and her greens are still great (without the ham or turkey)!
Vegan soul food is good! I will be giving you all some alternatives and recipe ingredients to try the next time you want a good meal! The links to each list are attached to view the entire recipe!
Milk Alternatives - oat, soy, coconut, almond.
Cheese Alternatives - Follow Your Heart, Vialife, 365.
Sugar Alternatives - Raw sugar, honey.
Meat - Try the stock of what meat you want to use instead, fish.
Recipe 1 - Vegan Baked Candied Yams
- 4 medium sweet potatoes
- 1/4 cup non-dairy butter
- 1/4 cup organic brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Recipe 2 - Vegan Baked Macaroni & Cheese
- 16 oz elbow macaroni
- 1 cup cashews plus 2 cups water
- 1 large yellow potato peeled & sliced
- 1 cup baby carrots or two large carrots, peeled
- 1 large yellow onion chopped
- 4-5 cloves of garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 1/2 cup non-dairy milk (I used a rice & quinoa blend)
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 2 cups vegan cheese
Recipe 3 - Vegan Greens
- Olive Oil
- Onion
- Garlic
- Thyme
- Collard Greens
- Turnip Greens
- Vegetable Broth
- Salt
- Liquid Smoke
- Coconut Bacon or Vegan Sausage (optional)
Recipe 4 - Vegan Skillet Cornbread
-
- 1 cup almond milk, or your favorite
- 1/2 cup melted non-dairy butter (I used Earth Balance Buttery Spread)
- 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds (I used the yellow-colored)
- 1 cup cornmeal (fine)
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup organic cane sugar, or sweetener of choice
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Recipe 5 - What Do You Serve Your Southern Black-Eyed Peas (Vegan)
- Dried Black-Eyed Peas – if dried black-eyed peas aren’t available, substitute with dried pigeon peas or cowpeas.
- Onion – white or yellow onions work great.
- Garlic – gives a great flavor (add extra if you are a garlic lover).
- Bell Pepper – I used red bell pepper but you can use any color you choose.
- Thyme – my herb of choice for this dish but you can substitute it with your favorite herbs.
- Cayenne Pepper – adds a little kick to your peas, add to taste.
- Sea Salt – add salt to suit your own taste.
- Smoked Paprika or Vegan Sausage – adds the smokey flavors.
These are just a few favorite dishes that I’m sure many people want the ingredients and recipes for! Hopefully, you can try and incorporate these into your next meal!