33 Recipes to Enjoy During Kwanzaa
Delicious dishes that celebrate African culture and community.
Last updated February 15, 2023
The African American holiday Kwanzaa is celebrated by millions around the world. The holiday is observed from December 26 to January 1, typically culminating in a communal feast. Celebratory aspects of Kwanzaa include gifts (zawadi), symbolic foods, and a seven-branched candle holder (kinara) holding red, black, and green candlesticks that are lit each night.
The menu can range broadly depending on family traditions—classic African-American soul food is popular, as are dishes from every point of the African diaspora.
Kwanzaa is a time to gather, reflect, and enjoy delicious food with people we love. Try some of our favorite dishes to share with your family this season.
Recipes to Celebrate Kwanzaa
2
South African pumpkin fritters
#Easy8 MIN
10
Slow-Cooker Cheese Grits & Greens with an Egg
#Easy15 MIN
6
Sweet potato breakfast hash with fried eggs by Millie Peartree
#Easy15 MIN
5
Peanut Stew with Spinach & Sweet Potatoes
#Easy23 MIN
7
Creole shrimp & grits
#Easy35 MIN
9
Brown stew chicken by Millie Peartree
#Easy30 MIN
5
Cornmeal-battered oven-fried catfish
#Easy15 MIN
6
Slow cooker red beans and rice
#Easy20 MIN
6
Smoky Slow Cooker Beans & Greens
#Easy15 MIN
8
Slow cooker jerk-chicken with sweet potato and pineapple
#Easy15 MIN
7
Super-creamy mac & cheese
#Easy45 MIN
6
Lima Beans with Smoked Turkey by Millie Peartree
#Easy15 MIN
2
Okra, corn, and tomato saute
#Easy10 MIN
1
Collard Greens with Garlicky Mojo
#Easy15 MIN
2
Collard Slaw with Warm Bacon Dressing
#Easy15 MIN
4
Hoppin’ John fritters
#Easy20 MIN
2
Mashed sweet potatoes
#Easy10 MIN
5
Candied yams by Millie Peartree
#Easy20 MIN
4
Cheese Grits
#Easy5 MIN
4
Low-Country Collard Greens by Millie Peartree
#Easy20 MIN
10
Cajun Red Beans, Sausage & Rice by Millie Peartree
#Easy20 MIN
6
Succotash with fresh basil by Millie Peartree
#Easy15 MIN
4
Southern-Style Black-Eyed Peas with Collard Greens
#Easy12 MIN
6
Southern Green Beans with Smoked Turkey by Millie Peartree
#Easy20 MIN
4
Jalapeño-cheddar corn muffins
#Easy20 MIN
8
Sweet potato quick bread with pumpkin seeds
#Easy20 MIN
8
Sweet Potato Bread by Millie Peartree
#Easy20 MIN
3
Zucchini & Corn Fritters by Millie Peartree
#Easy15 MIN
7
Mini Peach Pies
#Easy25 MIN
7
Lemon-cardamom peach crisp
#Easy10 MIN
5
Chocolate-dipped baby bananas
#Easy5 MIN
7
Orange upside-down cake
#Medium45 MIN
4
Easy chocolate fruit tart
#Easy10 MIN