Celebrate Juneteenth with a soul-filled dinner party menu featuring smothered turkey wings, collard greens, sweet potato cornbread, baked mac and cheese, and more.
If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I’m going to gather my people around good food—and there’s no celebration more worthy of that than Juneteenth.
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, commemorates June 19, 1865—the day the last enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas were finally informed of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. It’s a day of remembrance, resilience, and joy. A reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we have to go. As a Black woman, it’s deeply personal. I see Juneteenth as both an honoring of my ancestors and a celebration of the beauty of our culture—especially through food.
If I were hosting a Juneteenth dinner party, it would be rooted in soul, history, and flavor. The kind of evening where the table is full, the playlist is just right, and every dish carries a story.
I’d start with crispy fried shrimp as a nod to the coastal South—lightly battered, golden, and impossible to stop eating. Then I’d serve up a big pan of smothered turkey wings, slow-braised until fall-off-the-bone tender in a rich creamy gravy. For the sides, you know collard greens and black-eyed peas would have to make an appearance—both deeply symbolic and full of tradition. I’d round it out with sweet potato cornbread and corn casserole muffins, both slightly sweet, moist, and perfect for soaking up those flavors. Of course, baked mac and cheese would be center stage—crispy on top, creamy in the middle, and full of love. And for dessert? A classic cream cheese pound cake—buttery, slightly sweet, and made to be shared.
The menu is meant to feel familiar, comforting, and celebratory—because Juneteenth deserves nothing less. Whether you’re gathering with family, hosting friends, or honoring the day in your own way, this menu is here to help you celebrate with intention.
Juneteenth isn’t just a day off, it’s a chance to pause, reflect, and celebrate the joy of Blackness in all its fullness. However you choose to honor it, I hope your table is filled with love, laughter, and something that tastes like home.
