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10 Best Soul Food Cookbooks in 2022 (Chef-Reviewed)

With flavors as rich as its founding culture, soul food has a way of reaching deep within...well....your soul. Despite the evolution of many dishes through the years, the heart and soul of soul food has not diminished one bit. To bring the heart-warming dished into your home, you need a soul food cookbook that will match your diet. 


After looking for the best ones on the market, we at mybest have come up with a special present for you--a top 10 list of the best soul food cookbooks, which is topped by I Heart Soul Food by Rosie Mayes. This is a tried-and-true collection of delicious Southern soul food classics. Check out the rest of the books on our list, and don't forget to give our buying guide reviewed by a chef who helped produce a soul food restaurant chain a read to see what to look out for in a great soul food cookbook. 

Last updated 09/26/2023
Jim Quast
Expert
Executive R&D Chef
Jim Quast

Jim Quast (JQ) is a lifelong professional restaurant and corporate R&D chef who loves everything food-related and the tools, both big and small, to make those great food memories. He's a super huge BBQ, grill, and kitchen gadget fanatic. JQ has spent the last 30+ years trying to figure out what works to make your kitchen life easier and fun. If you can use it to slice it, dice it, cook it, smoke it, or store it, he's been there checking it out. Food = Life!

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mybest US Editors

mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.

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The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.

Table of Contents

How to Choose Soul Food Cookbooks

Before you grab just any soul food cookbook, there are a few key things you want to check out. 

1

Pick a Soul Food Specialty

Pick a Soul Food Specialty

From fried chicken, to collard greens, and to black eyed peas, soul food has a way of going beyond your palate and actually plucking on the strings of your soul. However, since there are so many different soul food recipes, you want to choose a cookbook that focuses on the particular type that interests you.


Soul food is traditionally high in calories, so it’s no surprise that cookbooks featuring classic recipes will give you the famous foods like fried chicken, cornbread, gumbo, and ham hocks. Some soul food cookbooks teach you how to make delicious desserts. Peach cobbler, banana pudding, and sweet potato pie are some soul food desserts.


A keto soul food cookbook will either give you soul food recipes that are naturally high in fat instead of carbs or substitute certain ingredients to adapt to that diet. For example, a keto soul food cookbook could include a creamy cauliflower mash or a keto mac and cheese recipe that uses cauliflower, which is a vegetable low in carbohydrates.


A vegan soul food cookbook will substitute non-animal foods into certain recipes, like vegan fried chicken made out of dried tofu.

2

Choose a Book That Comes With Extra Information

Choose a Book That Comes With Extra Information

Beyond recipes, some soul food cookbooks provide you with valuable bits of information. A cookbook that provides you with the nutritional information of each recipe you make will help you assess what nutrients and vitamins your body will be getting from your chosen meal.


Some books even come with a brief history for each recipe. If you’re interested in learning about the history and origins of certain dishes, then a book with some history bits will be great for you. 


There are also cookbooks that give you substitute ingredients in order to stick to a specific diet or to avoid foods you have bad reactions to. If you're extra health-conscious, get one that gives you a breakdown of the nutritional information of each recipe including the calories, fats, and so on. 

3

Get the Book in a Format That Works for You

Get the Book in a Format That Works for You

If you want to follow along in your cookbook while cooking, a hardbound book is a good choice. You can prop it up on a stand where it can lie at an angle that's easy to look at while you work. The heavy covers will help it stay open. Spiral-bound cookbooks let you turn pages over fully and lay them flat on a counter thanks to its rings.


If you prefer reading from a digital device, there are eBook versions of soul food cookbooks. Just make sure that your digital copy is kept a good distance away from liquids and heat! All books may come with additional online resources like links to a certain soul food site, videos, or even the website of the cookbook’s author.

4

Select a Book Written by an Experienced Soul Foodie

Select a Book Written by an Experienced Soul Foodie

Any time you’re getting a book that will teach you something, you want to make sure that the writer knows what he or she is talking about. Professional chefs and cooks have the experience and the culinary education that automatically give them the credentials to write a cookbook.


However, home cooks who have a lot of experience cooking soul food would also make great cookbook authors. Check on the author’s details at the back of the book where the author information page is usually located.

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10 Best Soul Food Cookbooks Ranking

Here are the best Soul Food Cookbooks, ranked according to 10 Best Soul Food Cookbooks (as of 11-04-2022). The products are ranked independently by mybest.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Price
Key features
1

Rosie Mayes

I Heart Soul FoodPaperback

Rosie Mayes I Heart Soul Food 1

$16.14

Low Mid

A Collection of Southern Soul Food Classics

2

Robbie Montgomery

Sweetie Pie's CookbookPaperback

Robbie Montgomery Sweetie Pie's Cookbook 1

$16.40

Low Mid

Southern Soul Food for the Win

3

Carla Hall, Genevieve Ko

Carla Hall's Soul FoodPaperback

Carla Hall, Genevieve Ko Carla Hall's Soul Food 1

$22.33

Mid

A Healthy Fusion of Traditional and Modern Soul Food Recipes

4

Toni Tipton-Martin

JubileeHardcover

Toni Tipton-Martin Jubilee 1

$20.39

Mid

A Celebration of Two Hundred Years of Black Cuisine

5

Patty Pinner

SweetsPaperback

Patty Pinner Sweets 1

$35.60

High

Soul Food Desserts as Sweet as the Author's Family Stories

6

Nadira Jenkins-El

Vegan Soul Food CookbookPaperback

Nadira Jenkins-El Vegan Soul Food Cookbook 1

$14.39

Low Mid

Enjoy Plant-Based Soul Food Recipes

7

National Museum of African-American History and Culture

Sweet Home Cafe CookbookHardcover

 National Museum of African-American History and Culture Sweet Home Cafe Cookbook 1

$25.00

High Mid

Soul Food Recipes for Every Kind of Meal

8

Tanya Holland, Jan Newberry

Brown Sugar KitchenHardcover

Tanya Holland, Jan Newberry Brown Sugar Kitchen 1

$21.24

Mid

A Collection of Soul Food Favorites Curated by a Famous Restaurant

9

Jenne Claiborne

Sweet Potato SoulPaperback

Jenne Claiborne Sweet Potato Soul 1

$13.98

Low Mid

Enjoy Easy-to-Make Vegan Soul Food With Simple Ingredients

10

Marcus Samuelsson

The RisePaperback

Marcus Samuelsson The Rise 1

$26.83

High Mid

A Cookbook That Goes Beyond Soul Food

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Rosie MayesI Heart Soul FoodPaperback

I Heart Soul Food 1
Source:amazon.com
I Heart Soul Food 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$16.14
Low Mid
Reference price
$16.14
Low Mid

A Collection of Southern Soul Food Classics

This collection of soul food recipes by Rosie Mayes is organized by meal, from breakfasts to main courses to desserts, and even drinks like sweet iced tea. These meals use easy-to-find ingredients. Most recipes are traditional, but some have unique twists.


Many reviewers raved about how the recipes in this cookbook end up tasting amazing. Home cooks liked that the instructions are easy to follow and appreciate the vivid picture references. The author's secrets and tips were also highly appreciated by readers. 

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No.2

Robbie MontgomerySweetie Pie's CookbookPaperback

Sweetie Pie's Cookbook 1
Source:amazon.com
Sweetie Pie's Cookbook 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$16.40
Low Mid
Reference price
$16.40
Low Mid

Southern Soul Food for the Win

This soul food cookbook, much like its author, Robbie Montgomery, is rooted in the south. It features recipes that were passed to her by her mother, including smothered pork chops and salmon croquettes. Heart-warming stories bound to make you laugh are spread throughout the cookbook, giving it a laid-back feel. 


Some reviewers weren't impressed by the recipes, considering that the author is a famous soul food restaurant owner. Others wished that there were more pictures. However, many home cooks said that these recipes brought back heart-warming family memories. People also liked that the ingredients listed are simple and easy to find.  

No.3

Carla Hall, Genevieve KoCarla Hall's Soul FoodPaperback

Carla Hall's Soul Food 1
Source:amazon.com
Carla Hall's Soul Food 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$22.33
Mid
Reference price
$22.33
Mid

A Healthy Fusion of Traditional and Modern Soul Food Recipes

TV chef Carla Hall's soul food cookbook gives you a fresh perspective on the richness of this cuisine. It features classic soul food recipes that the author has added her own spin to, including poured caramel cake and Carribean-smothered chicken with coconut, lime, and chiles. They're healthy and rich in flavor. 


Some reviewers found the healthier adaptations of the soul food recipes to be too far from the original ones, saying they turn out too light. However, many reviewers loved that the cookbook features a ton of vegetable-based recipes. People also said that the recipes are easy to follow and that the author's family stories were entertaining. 

No.4

Toni Tipton-MartinJubileeHardcover

Jubilee 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$20.39
Mid
Reference price
$20.39
Mid

A Celebration of Two Hundred Years of Black Cuisine

With recipes as rich as the moving stories featured in this book, Toni Tipton-Martin's cookbook celebrates Black cooks and their enormous contributions to American cuisine. It contains famous soul food recipes as well as dishes that aren't as well-known, like spoon bread and bourbon or apple hot toddies.


A few reviewers point out that the font used can be hard to read. But most raved about this award-winning cookbook's combination of African-American history and cuisine. Readers liked that the author included the rich background of each recipe. The vivid pictures and writing style made this cookbook highly engaging. 

No.5

Patty PinnerSweetsPaperback

Sweets 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$35.60
High
Reference price
$35.60
High

Soul Food Desserts as Sweet as the Author's Family Stories

Patty Pinner gives readers more than a soul food cookbook featuring desserts. She shares personal stories of her childhood growing up in a little town in Michigan. The cookbook features 95 sweet dishes including pies, cookies, cakes, candies, puddings, and even ice cream


A few wished that this cookbook included more pictures, and others didn't like that some recipes use cake mixes. However, many raved about the classic desserts in this gem of a cookbook. People also loved the novel-like feel of the cookbook, which included a lot of the author's family history. 

No.6

Nadira Jenkins-ElVegan Soul Food CookbookPaperback

Vegan Soul Food Cookbook 1
Source:amazon.com
Vegan Soul Food Cookbook 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$14.39
Low Mid
Reference price
$14.39
Low Mid

Enjoy Plant-Based Soul Food Recipes

Nadira Jenkins-El's vegan soul food cookbook gives you 101 delicious plant-based recipes. It features adaptations of classics by substituting meat and other animal products with easily-accessible vegan foods. It also gives you a crash course on the vegan diet. 


Quite a few reviewers complained about this book not having any pictures. However many home cooks loved the vegetable substitutions as well as the easy-to-follow recipes. People also appreciated that the ingredients for the meals were not hard to find. 

No.7

National Museum of African-American History and CultureSweet Home Cafe CookbookHardcover

Sweet Home Cafe Cookbook 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$25.00
High Mid
Reference price
$25.00
High Mid

Soul Food Recipes for Every Kind of Meal

This collaboration cookbook features a collection of recipes served at the National Museum of African-American History and Culture's own cafe, and for every kind of meal, from soups, snacks, and bread to main dishes and dessert. It also sheds a light on the impact African-Americans have made on American cuisine. 


Some felt the recipes were too modern, and like watered-down soul food. But many reviewers loved the variety of the recipes. Others said that they liked the photos and stories placed throughout the book. Readers also appreciated the history behind the featured dishes.

No.8

Tanya Holland, Jan NewberryBrown Sugar KitchenHardcover

Brown Sugar Kitchen 1
Source:amazon.com
Brown Sugar Kitchen 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$21.24
Mid
Reference price
$21.24
Mid

A Collection of Soul Food Favorites Curated by a Famous Restaurant

Tanya Holland, who is a chef and owner of the famous soul food hub Brown Sugar Kitchen in California, serves you a collection of her restaurant's favorite soul food recipes. From shrimp gumbo to a mouth-watering caramel layer cake, this book also includes some of the author's recipe interpretations which feature seasonal ingredients. 


A few reviewers said that some ingredients weren't so easy to find outside of big cities. However, many reviewers raved about how delicious the recipes are, with the waffles being one of the crowd favorites. Others appreciated the easy-to-follow, straight-forward instructions when it comes to cooking techniques. 

No.9

Jenne ClaiborneSweet Potato SoulPaperback

Sweet Potato Soul 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$13.98
Low Mid
Reference price
$13.98
Low Mid

Enjoy Easy-to-Make Vegan Soul Food With Simple Ingredients

Jenne Claiborne's collection of 100 vegan soul food recipes is diverse, featuring creative dishes that blend flavors, like peach date barbecue jackfruit sliders and sweet potato-Tahini cookies. She uses a lot of fresh, easy-to-find ingredients, so these dishes are both healthy and quick to make.


A few reviewers found the recipes a bit too complex, and others said the food combinations sounded weird, but that was usually before they tried them! Many reviewers liked that there were a lot of different recipes, including plenty for sweet potatoes. People also liked the vivid photographs for reference.

No.10

Marcus SamuelssonThe RisePaperback

The Rise 1
Source:amazon.com
The Rise 2
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$26.83
High Mid
Reference price
$26.83
High Mid

A Cookbook That Goes Beyond Soul Food

In this cookbook, Marcus Samuelsson celebrates African-American culture in its entirety, going past cuisine. Tackling culture and history, this collection of recipes celebrates the diversity of the diaspora. It features recipes with modern and regional twists, but still includes soul food inspired dishes. 


Many reviewers liked that the book traces Black cuisine back through time. Many loved the historical information and stories of Black cooking pioneers paired with the delicious recipes. Home cooks raved about the diversity of the featured dishes and the celebration of culture. 

Grab One of These Cookbooks and Try New Recipes

In Collaboration With Executive R&D Chef Jim Quast

Jim Quast
Executive R&D Chef
Jim Quast

This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.

Top 5 Soul Food Cookbooks

No. 1: Rosie MayesI Heart Soul FoodPaperback

No. 2: Robbie MontgomerySweetie Pie's CookbookPaperback

No. 3: Carla Hall, Genevieve KoCarla Hall's Soul FoodPaperback

No. 4: Toni Tipton-MartinJubileeHardcover

No. 5: Patty PinnerSweetsPaperback

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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