Kwanzaa involves many traditions that celebrate African and African American history. Most notably, enjoying dishes from the African diaspora is an essential part of this holiday, which is celebrated from December 26 to January 1. Every family’s Kwanzaa feast will look different as there are a wide range of dishes in African and African American cuisines that encompass the holiday’s focus on culture and community. We found 10 recipes in our recipe content archive that are simple and delicious for a Kwanzaa feast. Keep reading for more on this holiday’s food traditions along with a roundup of recipes to try!
The basics of Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa (which means “fruit fruits” in Swahili) was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, PhD, chair of the Africana Studies department at California State University. While Kwanzaa isn’t a religious holiday, there are seven principles that it’s centered around: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperate economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Throughout the week-long holiday, families partake in practices such as lighting a candle each day in honor of a principle, storytelling and eating dishes from the African diaspora.
Food traditions associated with this holiday
While Kwanzaa doesn’t involve having a set menu, culinary historian Tonya Hopkins noted in an episode of the “Foodizen” podcast that “it is customary to serve African and African-influenced foods for any Kwanzaa meal.” These dishes can range from collard greens and black eyed peas to jollof rice and pepper pot stew—all of which create a robust Kwanzaa spread.
The episode also featured an interview with Dr. Karenga, who emphasized the harvest aspect of Kwanzaa’s food traditions. “We’re talking the ‘first fruits’ celebration so we talk fruit and vegetables…That means like pineapple, mango, guava [and] banana. All those things we associated with tropical fruits, including oranges etcetera,” he explains. “Then in terms of the vegetables, okra, eggplant, yams of course, those kinds of things.” These fruits and vegetables can be eaten as is or incorporated into various dishes for the holiday. Ultimately, food is a rich and nourishing way to honor the meaning of Kwanzaa with loved ones.
10 delicious Kwanzaa-inspired recipes
These 10 recipes are perfect options to prepare during Kwanzaa, especially for the feast called Karamu—which traditionally occurs on the sixth day of the holiday (December 31).
1. Instant Pot Collard Greens
This collard greens recipe is packed with hearty and smoky flavors, and it cooks in a fraction of the time in the Instant Pot. You’ll love every bite of this dish!
2. Buttermilk Cornbread
Cornbread is a soul food staple as its sweet flavor and tender texture pairs well with collard greens and black eyed peas. Try our buttermilk cornbread recipe for an easy and delicious version of this quick bread.
3. Chicken and Andouille Sausage Jambalaya
For a taste of smoky and spicy Cajun cuisine, whip up our Chicken and Andouille Sausage Jambalaya recipe. It cooks the poultry, sausage, rice, seasonings and other ingredients in the slow cooker until the entire dish is tender and flavorful.
4. Crab Gumbo
Each bowl of this authentic New Orleans crab gumbo is loaded with rich and spiced flavors thanks to Cajun seasoning and a dark roux. Plus, jumbo lump crabmeat and okra make this delicious stew extra hearty.
5. Cold Oven Pound Cake
Don’t forget about dessert! This Cold Oven Pound Cake recipe is unique since it doesn’t require any preheating. So, you end up cooking the cake low and slow, which allows a deeply browned crust to form while the inside stays moist.
6. Sweet Potato Biscuits
Make a batch of these sweet potato biscuits for a sweet and earthy twist on the baked treat. While the biscuits are delicious on their own, serve them with honey butter to add more flavor.
7. Skillet Mac and Cheese
Rather than baking mac and cheese in a pan, this version uses a skillet for speedier prep that won’t compromise on deliciousness. This gooey mac and cheese will certainly be one of the most memorable dishes in your holiday spread.
8. Broasted Chicken
You’ve heard of fried chicken, but what about broasted chicken? Broasting is a technique that uses a special pressure fryer to lock in the chicken’s juices as it’s frying. No need to worry about buying this machine as we share an easy trick to create juicy and crunchy broasted chicken at home!
9. Sweet Potatoes with Candied Bacon
This recipe takes sweet potato mash to the next level thanks to a candied bacon topping, which gives the spuds a sweet and crunchy kick. Make a double batch of this side as guests may devour it quickly.
10. Shrimp and Grits with Fresh Fennel and Lemon
It doesn’t get better than buttery grits topped with an aromatic shrimp and tomato sauce. Try chef Carla Hall’s recipe, which uses stone ground grits for a creamy yet hearty consistency.
